What fellowships am I competitive for?

[d-dimer]

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[gutonc]

The better question is "what fellowships are you interested in?".

But I guess gunners gunna gun.

 

[deleted392989]

There are plenty of posts on SDN that would answer your questions.
You need to match the best MD university program that you can get into. That will offer you the most opportunities for fellowships at other institutions. You should do away rotations at programs that you feel you are competitive at and feel like you can impress on the rotation.
Networking, research, and LORs are very important for fellowships. For the competitive fellowships like GI, cards, heme onc, PCCM, it will be more difficult to match at other programs and nearly impossible to match at ivy leagues or top programs.

 

[d-dimer]

There are plenty of posts on SDN that would answer your questions.
You need to match the best MD university program that you can get into. That will offer you the most opportunities for fellowships at other institutions. You should do away rotations at programs that you feel you are competitive at and feel like you can impress on the rotation.
Networking, research, and LORs are very important for fellowships. For the competitive fellowships like GI, cards, heme onc, PCCM, it will be more difficult to match at other programs and nearly impossible to match at ivy leagues or top programs.

Thanks for replying. Do you think away rotations are necessary for IM programs in order to match?

 

[gutonc]

Thanks for replying. Do you think away rotations are necessary for IM programs in order to match?

Maybe. Possibly. Not really.

 

[deleted392989]

Thanks for replying. Do you think away rotations are necessary for IM programs in order to match?

No, they are not necessary. I matched to a university program without doing an away rotation. An away rotation will help you get stronger LORs (compared to a LOR from a DO rotation) and bump you up the rank list at that program, assuming you perform well.
You should do an away rotation at an university program if you are serious about matching to one. I highly recommend it unless you are mediocre/bad clinically.

 

[d-dimer]

The better question is "what fellowships are you interested in?".

But I guess gunners gunna gun.

Pulm or GI

 

[Robotneurologist]

Going to somewhat hijack this thread for my question. Is the IMG stigma still a thing for fellowships? The charting outcomes for fellowships is getting pretty old now and not sure how relevant it is anymore. I matched to a mid tier academic residency and just wondering if a lot of doors are still closed simply because I'm an IMG.

 

[CCM-MD]

Going to somewhat hijack this thread for my question. Is the IMG stigma still a thing for fellowships? The charting outcomes for fellowships is getting pretty old now and not sure how relevant it is anymore. I matched to a mid tier academic residency and just wondering if a lot of doors are still closed simply because I'm an IMG.

Yes and it will probably never go away. Also depends where you went to medschool - Caribbean vs Europe vs India. I’m not sure which one has it worst. But a lot more open doors for you with regards to fellowship since you’re at a university based IM residency compared to a community shop.

 

[IMreshopeful]

Going to somewhat hijack this thread for my question. Is the IMG stigma still a thing for fellowships? The charting outcomes for fellowships is getting pretty old now and not sure how relevant it is anymore. I matched to a mid tier academic residency and just wondering if a lot of doors are still closed simply because I'm an IMG.

Yeah, still exists. It’s unfortunate. You have to work with factors in your control - scores, LORs, research, and going to a good medical residency.

 

[Anicetus]

Pulm or GI

Has there been a GI fellowship to date that takes COMLEX scores? I think GI is the least DO friendly fellowship for some reason but I’m not exactly sure where the blockade is. From the USMLE only rule, from the top tier IM program factor, or simply just having the DO degree, or some combination of the above.

 

[deleted392989]

Has there been a GI fellowship to date that takes COMLEX scores? I think GI is the least DO friendly fellowship for some reason but I’m not exactly sure where the blockade is. From the USMLE only rule, from the top tier IM program factor, or simply just having the DO degree, or some combination of the above.

All fellowships "take" COMLEX scores. It doesn't mean you are on equal grounds as an AMG or that your COMLEX scores are equivalent to USMLE scores though. GI is the most competitive fellowship out there so the programs can be very selective of who they choose. As a DO, your best chance at matching GI is to your home program. Matching to other programs is do-able, but don't count on matching to an Ivy league or top-tier program unless you have personal connections there.

 

[Anicetus]

All fellowships "take" COMLEX scores. It doesn't mean you are on equal grounds as an AMG or that your COMLEX scores are equivalent to USMLE scores though. GI is the most competitive fellowship out there so the programs can be very selective of who they choose. As a DO, your best chance at matching GI is to your home program. Matching to other programs is do-able, but don't count on matching to an Ivy league or top-tier program unless you have personal connections there.

Or based on last year even mid tier GI programs for that matter. Most lower tier IM programs that take DOs barely match anyone into even low tier GI fellowships when I asked and interviewed at such programs. I can PM the exact programs I was told this. The exceptions I can see are if DOs rock their way into the upper mid tier IM programs like CCF that are more DO friendly and use that as their way into a GI fellowship if they had rocking step scores (250+). Those conversations end up being like “they were a DO, but they were a rockstar”.

 

[DrWhozits]

What about for Cards then? Hypothetically, as a DO from a university IM program

 

[rokshana]

Has there been a GI fellowship to date that takes COMLEX scores? I think GI is the least DO friendly fellowship for some reason but I’m not exactly sure where the blockade is. From the USMLE only rule, from the top tier IM program factor, or simply just having the DO degree, or some combination of the above.

Because it’s a competitive sub specialty and they do t have to take anyone other than USMDs

 

[IMreshopeful]

What about for Cards then? Hypothetically, as a DO from a university IM program

Cardiology is also very competitive, but there are more programs and positions than there are for GI. There’s also a decent number of DO fellowships. It is still harder to break into the top tier as a DO and usually requires something exceptional (lots of research, a top IM residency, doing a chief resident year, etc). It’s by no means impossible but far, far tougher than a USMD.