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Let's say I applied to 50-55 programs across the country, but I've received only one interview invite.....
Is it time to worry?
Is it time to worry?
I don't know why people apply to fewer programs like that. It makes no sense to me. I received similar advice and i did not take it. The truth is many current faculty have no idea how competitive the field has gotten. Heard plenty of stories from current faculty about how they switched into the field back in the day by walking down the hall and knocking on the chairman's door. I don't think any of us can afford to be picky in this field but maybe that's just my paranoia. I applied to all programs and have four interviews thus far. I'm worried as well so i guess it's all relative for us all.
"If you feel like you need to apply everywhere then you probobly don't have the best numbers and are unlikely to get into top programs. Beyond that, there are a lot of other issues."
You're assuming a lot there As i said, i was told to apply to 40-50 and ignored it because I'm paranoid, risk averse and I am very much open minded to going anywhere. Money is not an issue at all when you're talking about the difference between a few hundred dollars when it comes to residency applications; it didn't seemed like a situation where saving a few bucks here and there made much sense. For what it's worth as well, half my interviews are in places where i have no geographical connection but I'm still excited and very much looking forward to checking it out. I'll go anywhere that wants to meet me. My number one goal is matching. Every year the number of target application is increasing. This is no different for other competitive fields. My derm friends applied to all programs as well and ophthalmology people i know i applied to mostly all programs. Anyways, that's just my thinking.
Because applying to every program makes no sense. It might make you feel better but you are mostly just throwing money away. No one is a good fit for every program. If you feel like you need to apply everywhere then you probobly don't have the best numbers and are unlikely to get into top programs. Beyond that, there are a lot of other issues. If you have a ton of basic science research (MD/PhDs) then your chances of interviewing at pure clinical programs is low at best. Likewise, not very fruitful to apply to strong research programs if you don't have a strong research back ground.
Worse than all of that is regional bias effect. Programs only have a few spots and it costs a lot of money to interview and recruit. Even mid-tier programs are going to be quite selective. They are looking for people who are a good fit who are likely to want to be there. That usually means have good numbers, experience that matches their training program, or they have some regional connection to that area. We are a good mid-tier program that tends to, if anything, over invite (too many people per spot). Still, we rarely offer many interviews to average or less applicants who do not have an obvious connection to the area or reason to be here. That practice is very normal.
You should all try to relax now. Its likely that most of the places that will be most interested in you as an applicant havn't sent out invites yet. Things will pick up
Would it be bad form to contact a PD prior to a program sending invites in order to express particular interest in their program for a reason that might not be obvious in the application? As has been said, it seems we're now in a situation where we're leaving up for interpretation the seriousness of our interest in a particular program given that we're for the most part casting the widest net possible and being happy with whatever bites we get.
Would it be bad form to contact a PD prior to a program sending invites in order to express particular interest in their program for a reason that might not be obvious in the application?
Programs only have a few spots and it costs a lot of money to interview and recruit.
Some programs actually pick up your hotel room. Cleveland clinic and Wisconsin do (did?)Do you mean the lunch? Applicants pay all of the travel costs. Plus programs are paid a portion of the ERAS application fees.
Some programs actually pick up your hotel room. Cleveland clinic and Wisconsin do (did?)
it is a blessing in disguise. If you don't match, don't worry. Honestly, why anyone would go into rad onc is beside me right now. They have expanded residency positions while those of us coming out can't even muster an interview or two. The power that we have given those hiring now is beyond imagineable. I am PGY-5 with 0 job prospects. None, and trust me when I say I am top breed in medicine. You do not want to be part of this market in 2-3 years. Everyone will be doing fellowships then finding jobs that relate nothing to those fellowships which makes this situation much worse than radiology. Med students beware...
1 post count? Possible fear mongering from a med student posing as a resident?
Yes they've expanded residency slots a lot recently, much more than many of us think is appropriate, but currently, our field is nothing like rads or path in terms of saturation, except maybe in large desirable metro areas on the coasts.
every year someone posts about fear mongering when someone criticizes the way things are going in our field. I assure you I am not, this is our reality. And fine, if you are interested in some crap location like podunk ohio (it's not just desirable metro areas, its middle tier and small metro areas where nothing is available) then by all means apply, you'll be set. Don't take my word for it, go look at ASTRO jobs [http://careers.astro.org/jobs]. Be sure to ignore the xoft brachy positions
It has gotten bad in rad onc, and you should fully understand this before applying or you will be angry.
There are a few jobs in FL, a couple in NC and AZ even now. ASTRO happened early this year so the big bulk of jobs were listed earlier.
Job prospect worries aside, this post from last year may be helpful. Scroll halfway down.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/only-have-one-interview-so-far.1037393/#post-14561386
Not true, no bulk of jobs materialized this year in the run up to ASTRO, ask PGY-5s. And if Sarasota, Fl or Fort Smith, Arkansas is where you're looking to move then ok, rad onc really is perfect for you. But you'll be competing quite hard even for those jobs, because that is all that is available
As a current PGY-5 training at a mid-range program I believe you are a fear mongerer. I've gotten 17 interviews from private jobs (have turned down several already) and it's not even December yet. Also, realize that you're the least qualified at the end of your residency training.
I am PGY-5 with 0 job prospects. None, and trust me when I say I am top breed in medicine. You do not want to be part of this market in 2-3 years. Everyone will be doing fellowships then finding jobs that relate nothing to those fellowships which makes this situation much worse than radiology. Med students beware...