Applying for two different specialties at the same time

[sophiejane]

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How does this work?

Say you want to apply to programs in FP and OBGYN, for example...how does that work on ERAS? Can you choose to send different LORs and personal statements tailored to that specialty to particular programs?

My reasons for applying to both have more to do with needing to stay in one rather narrow geographical area....and also because I seriously can't decide...🙂

Thanks.

 

[daisyduke]

If you are applying to two specialties (not that uncommon!) you can send completely different letters and personal statements to the programs. Actually, even if you are only applying to one specialty, you can still send a different set of letters to different programs if you wish!

This will make more sense to you next year when you are able to long onto the ERAS site and upload your personal statement, letters, etc. Then when you apply, you assign these documents to the programs. You can assign one personal statement to your OB programs and a different personal statement to the FP programs... same with the letters.

But don't worry..... you have a good six months before you need to even really think about the specifics of the ERAS application! Good luck!

 

[ramonaquimby]

send different LORs and personal statements tailored to that specialty to particular programs

yup! not a problem, and no one has to know except your dean's office and you 😉

 

[bubblegumbezoar]

How does this work?

Say you want to apply to programs in FP and OBGYN, for example...how does that work on ERAS? Can you choose to send different LORs and personal statements tailored to that specialty to particular programs?

My reasons for applying to both have more to do with needing to stay in one rather narrow geographical area....and also because I seriously can't decide...🙂

Thanks.

Sophiejane,

You certainly can apply to more than one program, such as FP and ob/gyn. However, the size of your school may make this difficult for you. EVERYONE asks you what you finally chose in your fourth year, and if you have an FP and an ob/gyn faculty member standing in the same hallway, that could be high pressure. That said, choosing a specialty is extremely difficult, especially if you need to stay in a certain location. You have to do what is best for you.

One thing to look that is much more commonly done and easier to pull off (because it is even expected) would be to apply for, say, a categorical position in internal medicine and a prelim year in, say, anesthesiology. Or to to the same thing with ENT, ortho, or urology and general surgery. That's because the less competitive program is already aware that you are applying as both a categorical and a prelim to either internal medicine or general surgery. I realize that none of those programs are in your list of things you are interested in, but I thought to bring it up as I didn't really get this until 8 months into the fourth year.

Best of luck to you.

 

[raptor5]

yup! not a problem, and no one has to know except your dean's office and you 😉

And of course the two PDs at the same hospital who interviewed you.

 

[penguins]

And of course the two PDs at the same hospital who interviewed you.

good point, never know if they play raquet ball together... could see them in the hall. That would make me a nervous wreck!

 

[Ologist]

Sophiejane,

You certainly can apply to more than one program, such as FP and ob/gyn. However, the size of your school may make this difficult for you. EVERYONE asks you what you finally chose in your fourth year, and if you have an FP and an ob/gyn faculty member standing in the same hallway, that could be high pressure. That said, choosing a specialty is extremely difficult, especially if you need to stay in a certain location. You have to do what is best for you.

One thing to look that is much more commonly done and easier to pull off (because it is even expected) would be to apply for, say, a categorical position in internal medicine and a prelim year in, say, anesthesiology. Or to to the same thing with ENT, ortho, or urology and general surgery. That's because the less competitive program is already aware that you are applying as both a categorical and a prelim to either internal medicine or general surgery. I realize that none of those programs are in your list of things you are interested in, but I thought to bring it up as I didn't really get this until 8 months into the fourth year.

Best of luck to you.

Do you mean applying for a categorical IM spot and a Prelim IM spot at the same university? Wouldn't this really hinder your chances at either spot, since the IM people know that you're looking at their field as a "back-up"? I'm just wondering because i'm deciding between Anesthesia and IM and thought that applying to both (i mean catergorical and anesthesia, not prelim and anesthisia) would be a big no-no.

Has anyone had experience in doing this?

 

[bubblegumbezoar]

Ologist,

I do know of one IMG ranking anesthesiology with prelim year in IM as well as a categorical in IM. One PD I spoke with will sometimes ask non-competitive applicants to apply for both a categorical and a prelim in IM to increase their chances of being ranked (more slots to place them in per program). If programs you are interested in have a similar policy, it would seem accept-able to consider doing this.

I do know of two people (one applied to ortho and general surgery, one to ENT and general surgery).