Question On Fellowship apps

[gagolden]

I have a question that maybe someone could shed some light on. Lets assume that I go to a IM residency in which most residents stay in-house for fellowships. Is it OK to apply to more than one fellowship at the same institution. For example, Apply to Cards, but apply to say PCCM as a "back-up"? Im still a couple of years off considering that ERAS goes out in a couple of weeks, but it would make a difference in the match list as I wouldn't rank such a program quite so high.

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[Renovar]

I have a question that maybe someone could shed some light on. Lets assume that I go to a IM residency in which most residents stay in-house for fellowships. Is it OK to apply to more than one fellowship at the same institution. For example, Apply to Cards, but apply to say PCCM as a "back-up"? Im still a couple of years off considering that ERAS goes out in a couple of weeks, but it would make a difference in the match list as I wouldn't rank such a program quite so high.

The problem is that if those programs use ERAS (which for both cards and pulm both do) then you will still need to fill out 2 sets of applications, use 2 sets of personal statement and use 2 sets of letters, which is a titanic amount of work to apply to just 1 hospital in 2 specialties. You might have problem with your program director or chairman's letter which will take a lot of explaining to get them to write you 2 separate letters when they have question about your commitment. In my institution, my PD refuses to write 2 different letters for the same applicants for the same cycle (but he would consider writing a different one if you apply to one specialty this year, either withdrew or didn't match, and decide to apply to another specialty next year).

 

[gwen]

if you're applying to two programs within the same hospital where you work, if the two fellowship chairs find out, you lose spots in both places, guaranteed - they want someone fully committed to their field. its a bit less risky to apply to both programs at the same hospital OTHER than where you are doing your residency...still risky nonetheless.