AT HOW MANY PROGRAMS SHOULD I APPLY TO AND INTERVIEW? (Peter DeBlieux, MD; Sam Keim, MD; Carey Chisholm, MD)

This depends on the number of variables; how academically competitive you are as a student, how competitive are the programs you are applying to, how many programs accept you for an interview, and how much exposure you've had to EM.  I would advocate interviewing at a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 to 15 programs depending on the variables listed.  This may require an application to 20 or more programs to secure the necessary number if interviews.  For example, as a student in the top third of your graduating class of a 220 on the USMLE Steps I & II you may be a competitive candidate to many programs.  If you apply to ten programs and accept interviews at three of the most competitive programs, there is a distinct possibility that you may not match to any program. See enough programs to be certain that you are an informed consumer, regardless of your exposure to EM.  Utilize web sites to explore programs in depth, past the paper brochures.  Time and money are issues, although securing the best-fit program is critical, and the extra spent now will be water under the bridge 10 years from now.  Don't skimp!