Allergy fellowship

[Cknight]

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I'm planning on applying for an A/I fellowship this year; I'm an american IMG at a small university-based program. I have 2 pubmed publications (1 as 1st author in a review article pertaining to the field), and there's a very eminent allergist who works at my program. We don't have a fellowship here though. What are my chances of matching into this specialty, I'm kind of out of the loop with regards to the ideal candidate PDs are looking for. Any help is appreciated.

 

[My PooNoni]

In my opinion, with Allergy/Immunology being such a small field, you really have to work the system to get a spot. The research and articles you have right now will be more than most of the people applying. Just remember to push the research angle and tell the interviewers what they want to hear....you want to do basic science immunology research. Unless you are applying to a totally community based A/I fellowship (not many), they will want to hear that you want to be an academician.

Continue to publish, work in a lab, make sure you get REALLY strong letters, attend the national meetings, try to get case reports at the national meetings (I did as a resident) and put on your charms for the interview.

I came from a state medical school, Step 1 scores were below average, B tier internal medicine program in Boston and matched at my first choice for A/I. I got about 15-20 interviews because I worked the system. And I got my first choice because I worked the system and played the game. Enjoying the life of an allergy fellow and sunny Southern California because of it.

Best of luck, let me know if you need any help...

 

[msashraf]

can u elaborate further what do u mean by " work the system".I am a resident in community program with good usmle scores. What kind of research and publications should i be working on? my program does not have a good research department.

thanx.

 

[cdql]

I'm curious about this as well. I am a US medical student, likely headed to a small community hospital for IM. Medical school wasn't all that great, I can tell you the small community hospital residency is probably one step down from that. I have outstanding Step 1 and Step 2 scores (I ranked the small community hospital highly just because I felt so comfortable there when rotating through my clinical years. I am second guessing myself now. Comfort is one thing that will allow me to thrive, but the perception will be that the program is weak.) I have a sporadic history of research although it was in basic science cancer as a medical student. 1 publication out of it as a student. (I worked parttime throughout 2nd year and returned fulltime for 2 months as a 4th year student)

We have Allergy/Immuno doctors here but no official department. This small community hospital is fortunate to have its own research facility but it doesn't appear as if there's any allergy/immuno projects currently active.

Any thoughts on how to go about this in my shoes?

Or would I be better served by looking at another fellowship field?

Or perhaps transferring out of my residency program after PGY-1 internship year?

 

[Jsassy]

Hi! I am an intern at a large community hospital in MI. American grad, bore and bred in MI. I have a Q about the allergy fellowship application process. I know I will be applying this coming Nov'09 during my second year. Which months are interviews generally? My program needs to know all of my vacation requests for time off by this Wed! Should I try to get a week in Feb 2010, and a week in March? or 2 weeks during 1 month?
I am clueless!
Thanks!