The Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE) is required for all Emergency Medicine (EM) residency applications. The “standardized” part enables comparative performance assessment.
SLOEs come in a couple of varieties, but the most critical is the Composite or Group SLOE. The Group SLOE is compiled from all the feedback from your senior EM clerkship. You need one of these from your home rotation. If you are able to complete any away rotations, you should be prepared to get a Group SLOE from each rotation.
Sometimes away rotations are not an option. In this instance, having an individual EM faculty provide an additional SLOE is appropriate. Check out the CORD Standard Letters of Evaluation website for an introduction to the varying types of SLOEs. Group SLOEs will carry more weight for your application since the clerkship and program directors who write them are able to compare your performance with the performance of a greater number of your peers.
Requesting SLOES
For any SLOE that you request (group, individual, etc.), you will need to:
- Make a formal ask of the writer if they would be willing to write you a SLOE
- Provide the letter writer with the following as early as possible:
- Personal statement (a draft version is OK)
- CV (a draft version is OK)
- Offer to meet to discuss your application and interest in Emergency Medicine
View an example SLOE Access the SLOE website
➡️ Check out our tips for writing your personal statement.
