Applying to Combined vs Categorical Programs

[soccerscholar]

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[Redpancreas]

I applied into both combined internal medicine/pediatrics and individual categorical program at a residency program that I am VERY interested in and would rank at the top of my list. I am interviewing for both programs. Obviously the internal med/peds ranking meeting will include the pediatrics program director. The reasons were that I 1) definitely want to prioritize matching at that institution 2) I am interested in transitions of care for pediatric patients with chronic complex care needs and I feel that either residency can help me get experience to work in this niche (with peds providing more depth and elective time to learn how to care for children with complex care needs, and med peds providing more breadth to actually be able to continue caring for patients after they turn 18). I highlighted this interest in both of my personal statements.

1. Did I just shoot myself in the foot?
2. Should I tell them that I applied to both and my reasons for doing so?

Anyone have experience with categorical + combined IM programs like Med/Peds, EM/IM, Med/Derm, Med/Psych, etc have advice for me? Thank you!!

1.) I have no experience in combined applications, but can say pretty confidently you're not doing anything that's going to raise eyebrows and did not shoot yourself in the foot. As applicants, we have skewed perspectives thinking that the spotlight's on us and everyone will be trying to get into your head. The IM PD, Peds PD, and IM/Peds PD may look at your application not in one room, but on their own time and doubt they will be huddled together having a unified discussion trying to figure out what your true intentions are. You do what's in your best interest.

2.) There is no reason to overexplain. No one is going to question your integrity. Let people read between the lines.

 

[mdjo]

I might be misunderstanding your question, but at most institutions the IM, Med-peds, and peds programs are totally separate, with non-overlapping PDs and APDs. Obviously they all work together to coordinate resident education and scheduling, but they have totally separate interview processes and rank lists. I don't see why they would even know that you had also applied to the other programs at that institution. I don't think they're any more likely to get together and discuss rank lists than Radiology and Gen Surg would be.