So, what field do you want to go into? I cringed almost every single time I was asked this question. Only the minority of students enter UASOM with their eyes set on a particular field of medicine, and many of them will change their minds. So, don't fret! The vast majority of students bobble back and forth between fields until 3rd, and yes even 4th, year. We hope this website offers you a jump-start on discovering a career in EM. Making that final decision is a tough one. Ensure that you allot AMPLE time to consider and evaluate this decision. Below is an offering of advice, wisdom, and facts that will guide you in your decision.

At which stage are you?

Still trying to decide...?

• Click here for testimonials (coming soon!) of why other UASOM students chose EM
• So, Why do you want to go into EM? By Michael A. Kaufmann
• EM as a Career Choice by V. Gail Ray, MD and Richard C. Lotsch, DO
• An Overview of EM by Wendy Coates, MD
• What about academic EM? By Fred Wenger, DO
• So, you want to be an Emergency Physician?
• Talk with other medical students at the EMRA forums
• Life as an Emergency Physician
• FAQ about EM as a career
• Advice on Pursuing a career in EM
• Also, DO NOT forget to talk to 3rd/4th years who have already decided on EM… your BEST resource is the wisdom of other who have done it
• Talk to EM residents here at UAB about how they made their decision
• EM shadowing at UAB

Interested in research in EM at UAB?

• Email Dr. Denninghoff, Director of EM Research at UAB

OK, I've decided on EM as a career, now what?

• Join the EMIG and Get Involved!
• Get an advisor
  • Choose an EM advisor
  • Get a Virtual Advisor through SAEM
• EM residencies
  • Learn about the EM residencies with the EM catalogue
  • 3 vs. 4 year Residency Programs - Peter Rosen, MD, FACEP
  • Selection Criteria for EM Residents
  • Evaluating a EM residency
• The application process
  • 10 Things to do before Applying to an EM Residency Program by Felix Ankel, MD
  • Putting your best foot forward: preparing your residency application
  • Taming the Residency Application Process
  • Representing your bibliography accurately on your application
  • ERAS Made Easy
  • Recent Match Results in EM
  • Talk with other students around the nation at the EMRA forums
  • What is the SLOR form? Know this!
• Planning your 4th year
  • The Top 10 Questions about Organizing your Senior Year
  • Three down, one to go
  • Planning your electives
• Away-Rotations in EM
  • DO AN EM ROTATION AT UAB!
  • List of available away-rotations
  • Look at away-rotation reviews!!
  • Advice to students beginning an EM rotation
• Research in EM
  • Medical Students and Research
  • Research or Not
• Preparing for Interviews
  • Know the field of EM and current issues
  • Read the Macy Report
  • EM interview guide
  • Does interview date affect Match List Position?
  • Reflections from the interview trail

Click for a complete list of SAEM articles about EM (for students!)
FRIEDA On-line (a database of all residency programs from the AMA): a good reference
Career MD: a good source for finding a residency

We must give most of the credit to the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) and the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association (EMRA) for their wonderful websites that offer a wealth of information for those of us pursuing a career in EM. Thank you!!