Hello, I have just started PGY2 and will be applying for fellowship at this time next year. Can anyone give me advice on what I should be doing this year to boost my application?
- US allopathic grad
- 230 step 1, 220 step 2, haven't taken step 3 yet
- Currently at mid-tier academic university medicine program
- Home program has a well-regarded NCI-designated cancer center
- 2 first-authored case reports during residency so far
- 5 co-authored publications -some in heme/onc, some not- during medical school
- Currently working on a clinical project, anticipate a first-authored review paper, ASCO presentation next year, and co-author on actual paper
- Decent evals, nothing amazing but nothing bad
- Pretty good relationship with current heme/onc program director
The thing that I feel like will hinder me the most is my step scores, especially my horrible step 2 ck score (I originally had planned to go into a specialty that did not care about step 2 ck so I blew off the test). In terms of research, I honestly don't know how so many people on this forum and from previous years have so much research (like 10+ pubs and national conferences). At most and considering the best case scenario, I could potentially get 1 first authored review paper, 1 national conference abstract at ASCO next year, and being listed as a middle co-author for a paper that might get accepted somewhere. This is the absolute BEST case scenario and I highly doubt all 3 will occur.
Considering all of this, what do I need to do this year to increase my chances of landing a heme/onc spot. I do not have any geographical limitations. However, I would like to go to a program that has a NCI-designated cancer center. I would love to stay at my current institution but would also like to try my chances elsewhere as well. Thank you in advance for any advice you could offer!!
- US allopathic grad
- 230 step 1, 220 step 2, haven't taken step 3 yet
- Currently at mid-tier academic university medicine program
- Home program has a well-regarded NCI-designated cancer center
- 2 first-authored case reports during residency so far
- 5 co-authored publications -some in heme/onc, some not- during medical school
- Currently working on a clinical project, anticipate a first-authored review paper, ASCO presentation next year, and co-author on actual paper
- Decent evals, nothing amazing but nothing bad
- Pretty good relationship with current heme/onc program director
The thing that I feel like will hinder me the most is my step scores, especially my horrible step 2 ck score (I originally had planned to go into a specialty that did not care about step 2 ck so I blew off the test). In terms of research, I honestly don't know how so many people on this forum and from previous years have so much research (like 10+ pubs and national conferences). At most and considering the best case scenario, I could potentially get 1 first authored review paper, 1 national conference abstract at ASCO next year, and being listed as a middle co-author for a paper that might get accepted somewhere. This is the absolute BEST case scenario and I highly doubt all 3 will occur.
Considering all of this, what do I need to do this year to increase my chances of landing a heme/onc spot. I do not have any geographical limitations. However, I would like to go to a program that has a NCI-designated cancer center. I would love to stay at my current institution but would also like to try my chances elsewhere as well. Thank you in advance for any advice you could offer!!
