green plastic said:
How does the process of applying to more than one type of residency work? Would I have to write 2 different personal statements and get different sets of letters of rec? Anybody have insight into this process? thanks a lot!
You do not HAVE to write two different personal statements or get two different sets of letters, but if there is any notation in the letters (which you won't know about, not having seen them) or your PS about your intended future specialty, it might be a tad confusing. For example, if you are applying to both Internal Medicine and Surgical residencies, if your Dean's letter or one of the other LORs states you'll make a great surgeon, IM programs might frown upon that.
Bear in mind that with ERAS, its pretty easy to make minor changes in your PS and send different statements to different programs. You can also have different letters sent to different programs as well.
Otherwise, the process is the same, provided both fields use NRMP. Of course, if you apply to twice the number of programs, expect to pay more and have to travel more.
Programs may or may not know that you are applying for two different specialties. If they are at the same hospital, there may be some internal check - but there may not be. If one of your letters lets the cat out of the bag, then you'd better be prepared to speak about why you are applying for two specialties. Hopefully they're somewhat related, as it will be easier to justify the indecision.