applying to more than one specialty?

[alimarie81]

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I am wondering...I am currently M3 and planning to apply widely to radiology programs. But, I am concerned re: my chances of a successful match. If I also apply to a "back up" specialty in ERAS, can programs see that I am applying dually? Is it better to just put all my eggs in one basket and go for it, or to have some back ups incase I don't land enough interviews in radiology? Thanks

 

[tinystar]

A friend of mine is doing that exact thing for this year's match--applying to rads with peds as a backup. I've also heard rumors about a guy applying to derm, rads, optho, and anesthesia simultaneously. The programs will not be able to see anything about your applications to other programs, and when it comes time to make your rank list, you can just rank rads programs over your back-up programs. Of course, I would definitely advise talking with your radiology department chair or program director to make sure that you even need a back-up plan. They can give you a better idea of your competitiveness than some message board 🙂 . Best of luck!

 

[alimarie81]

thanks for the info. problem is with my radiology dept chair, is that I am in a D.O. program, and plan to apply to allopathic programs. The only D.O. radiology in my state is not great, happens to be at my home hospital, and the departments offer little advice/help when it comes to applying outside of D.O. programs. I am just trying to test the waters with my M.D. counterparts to see what others may suggest.

 

[getinthehole]

How's step 1?

 

[dr kevin40]

I also thought about doing this, as wasn't sure where my application stood. However, you have to understand that for the match, if you apply somewhere and rank it and get that place in rank, then the PROG will be expecting YOU as a BODY at their institution. going back on an agreement (for example if u match at rads and your "backup") isn't the most ethical thing but in all reality, not sure what the repercussions are. Even though i wasn't 100% comfortable w/ my chances, I decided against such a thing. But to each his/her own.

 

[alimarie81]

How's step 1?

My step 1 USMLE 227 (Also have Comlex score (D.O. exam) 600)
do you think i am on a slippery slope if I apply only to radiology? think I should have some back up specialties to apply to, and just put radiology programs higher on my list?