Interview Broker Specialty Interest

[MEMW]

Certain schools before arranging interviews ask about specialty interests. Will it hurt my app if I reply GI?

I'm going to keep an open mind during residency, but I have a relatively strong background in GI.

I'm just not sure if other specialists or internists on the admissions committee will think I'm using internal med as a stepping stone, when I'm actually keeping an open mind in regards to my career path.

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[ChessMaster3000]

I put a specialty--not sure if that was a good idea or not. I think they genuinely want to match you up with someone with your interests. If you do that, then you would be able to talk about that and your genuine interest in your field, and THAT leads to a better interview performance. So its worth it overall, despite these potential risks of "stepping stone", in my opinion.

 

[chargersfan]

It basically is just to match you with an interviewer in that specialty who will probably try to sell you on how that IM residency program will help you reach that specialty. There are a lot of people who already have a set career goal in mind when they apply for residency. I don't think programs hold this against you in any way. They know that a sizable chunk of IM residents subspecialize.

 

[Bronxzoo]

Yeah, it will not be held against you regardless of what you put, whether undecided or a specialty. That said, if you're interested in GI, it can only help to put down GI so that you get matched with an interviewer in GI. If you have a background in GI, then you'll likely have more to talk about with him/her and have a better interview.

For my specialty choices, I was honest and put down what I wanted to do and that turned out great for me

 

[visari]

yeah it's fine to be honest and express your future interests ... just play it right and be smart about it ... they probably want to make sure you'll be a good IM resident and not that douche "competitive-fellowship" gunner from day 1 in your residency