@Cinematographer has done a lot to carry this thread, and since I have nothing but positive things to say, I don't feel the need to post this anonymously.
Program: University of Cincinnati
Rotation: EM Sub-I
SLOE experience: sent in a timely manner
Student Involvement/responsibilities: students on this rotation acted as interns, writing notes, entering orders, calling consults, and doing procedures (unless they were emergent) for our own patients. We were expected to concoct plans for each patient, dispo them, and relate all that information to the patient/nursing staff. During my time at Cinci I performed 2 LP's, several peripheral nerve blocks, did US exams (FAST, RUQ, TTE, soft tissue), placed a central line, several I/D's, sutured a number of wounds, and assisted in fracture reductions as well as a few revision amputations. Some of my student colleagues also performed joint aspiration, IV placements, thoras and paras. It was attending-dependent, but you were given a pretty long leash compared to my home EM rotation - some students carried up to 4 patients at a time. The above pertains mainly to non-A pod shifts, as A pod residents also cover the shock and resuscitation unit (SRU). During these shifts you can see patients primarily, but usually fewer, since the attending will need to write notes for each of them and will likely be busy with whatever is going down in the SRU. These shifts were more about seeing how the SRU runs, helping the PGY3 in any aspect you could (assisting in the traumas, getting people off backboards, etc) - but I still got some good hands on involvement.
Other rotation requirements - we took the SAEM exam (not so bad compared to the shelf), tweeted a pearl we learned for each day we worked clinically, and presented a clinical case at the end of the 4 weeks in teams of 2 - 3.
Shifts: Fifteen shifts (including the extras, below), most 12 hours, evenly split between days, evenings and nights. Each pod has its own unique flavor. A pod (see above) was always a blast, super busy, and saw a lot of trauma and sick folks. B pod is a little slower, as its the intern pod. I present to a PGY4. These shifts I spent a lot of time talking to and learning from the interns, as well as trying to bum procedures off them, which usually they were happy to let me do. C pod were my favorite shifts - you, a PGY2, and an attending are in a 10-12 bed pod. The PGY2 is responsible for airways in the SRU and will frequently get called away for traumas etc., so they love it when you take patients off their hands. Got great teaching back there. I pod is a fast track area where you churn and burn: you only need to write quick notes (if the attending has you write them at all), otherwise you are free to do all the I/D's and suturing your heart desires. I pod shifts are 7 hours, IIRC.
Extras - one US shift with a sonographer (who has worked in the dept. for a long time and is an absolute gem), doing scans the whole shift, placing US-guided IV's etc. One helicopter shift, when you can buddy fly with a PGY3 - this night not be available during all away months. At least one teaching shift with a PGY2 or 3 who has no responsibilities other than teaching the student for the shift. S/he cherry picks interesting or bread and butter cases from anywhere in the department - very high yield and low stress.
Didactics: med students had dedicating 2hr teaching sessions once weekly with the clerkship director, covering basic EM topics - ECG's, sepsis, airway management, ACLS etc. Each didactic session had some component of simulation and these ran very smoothly. We attended grand rounds weekly, as well as morning report-type teachings most days when working a shift. Overall the teaching was solid. The residents' presentations were my favorite. There was a lot of emphasis placed on the entertainment value, which helped their teaching points stick in my head.
Faculty/Residents: amazing. Like every department, there was at least one person I didn't love, but overall the program is stocked with dedicated teachers and friendly residents. The clerkship director, Dr. Paulsen, was incredibly organized, sending out weekly emails with reminders for conferences, teaching pearls, and literature from topics covered in previous didactic sessions. She was/has been an excellent resource in the application process. The attendings were fun to work with, excited to teach, and gave specific, useful feedback (the majority of the time). You have at least one shift with a member of the residency leadership team, all of whom collectively author the SLOE. The residents were very enthusiastic about EM: more than once I was pulled into a room by a resident I was not working with, because they thought there was something to be learned from their patient or they had a procedure that they wanted me to see/do. They made the rotation for me.
You get paired with a faculty mentor and a near-peer resident mentor (PGY4), both of whom will meet with you during the rotation. I used these individuals for guidance regarding the application/interview process and found them to be very helpful.
Evaluation: the majority of our grade was based on clinical evals (60%, I think), with smaller bits made up by the exam, presentation and participation during didactics. I got feedback after every shift but one. I was never told to "read more", but given actually useful feedback. All students met with the clerkship director for midclerkship feedback - you went over areas of strength and set goals for improvement for the last two weeks.
Logistics: scrubs are available, but I would recommend bringing your own as well. Students were expected to wear white coats. Have a set of decent business casual clothes for the presentation. Check out rotatingroom for housing, several students had spots within walking distance of the hospital.
The city: Cinci is not an amazing locale, but I was surprised by the amount of microbreweries and hole in the wall restaurants. Went to the zoo, a Reds game, and out in Over The Rhine. Had a good time in my free time for sure.
Overall: amazing rotation. Fun, educational, and career-affirming. Very hands on, great teaching and folks who all love EM. Dr. Paulsen makes sure students get access to what they want, and provides advising to all students, even after leaving the rotation. If you're interested in academics this is a good place to get a strong SLOE. Just about every program I interviewed at had someone on faculty from Cinci. Of note, away students are NOT interviewed during the rotation, but Cinci does pay for your hotel (the swankiest place I stayed all year) when you come back, and it was a very relaxed interview. Bottom line: I would highly recommend this rotation, it was outstanding.