applying to multiple specialties a no-no?

[tempperson]

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Hi Guys,

I'm still not sure what I want to do. In theory, we can apply to multiple specialties even at the same school, right? Has anyone any experience with this. I am interested in rads, anesth, pmr, (rads is 1st choice ) but I'm really picky about location for personal reasons and I almost prioritize this over the field i'm going into because I realistically think i'll be a happy person in any of the 3 specialties above. I really want to end up in southern california, specifically around LA. So I won't be doing that many interviews considering there are only so many programs around LA in each of those fields.

Soo... aside from the difficulty in expressing my unique & "undiluted" passion for each of the given fields during inteviews, I was wondering if it would be ridiculous to apply to all 3 specialties at the same school (the depts don't cross talk do they?) also how would ranking work? would i rank all the programs together or have separates lists for each different specialty. I wouldn't actually apply to as many programs since it

i know i can't be the first one to do something like this, right?

 

[doepug]

Where I'm from, applying to more than one field is strongly discouraged. Aside from lifestyle issues, radiology, anes, and rehab are extraordinarily different fields. The work environments for these fields range from the OR to a nursing home, and levels of involvement with patients are vastly different. In addition to writing 3 personal statements and getting 3 different sets of letters (do you really want to get 9 letters?), you'll have to intentionally deceive each department (and burn bridges) as you covertly apply to two completely different fields. Don't forget your internship -- according to ERAS, you'll be applying in 4 fields. Although there probably isn't much cross-talk between these departments, this is an ethical can of worms.

It sounds like your first priority should be to take an elective or two in each of these departments and reassess your interest.

Location is important, but you're talking about what career you'll have for the rest of your life!! Your residency will have a finite duration. If you don't match in southern CA, you can return as soon as your training is done.

My advice would be to keep an open mind, rotate through these departments, and talk to lots of people... residents, attendings, and your dean will all have some helpful ideas. Try to narrow it down to 2 fields by spring, so that you can apply in one field next summer.

Good luck,
doepug

 

[tempperson]

Thanks for the advice. Actually, my desire to be in LA is for family healthy reasons which I will not go into.

Contrary to what might be assummed about me, I really do like all 3 fields, and lifestyle is a mere factor(though an important one admittedly). Anesthesiology & PMR are not going to be very different for me, because I will do a pain fellowship after each of them as I'm interested in integrating western medicine and alternative modalities in chronic pain management. Rads is just a cool, innovative, and challenging field.

Either way, thanks for your input. If I do go through with something like this, I guess I'll just have to really explain myself. I know it does seem ridiculous from a outsider's perspective.

 

[Goober]

I know people who were applying to derm and interviewed at Internal Med and anesth programs. Just have a well thought out reason just in case a program finds out.

You should carefully consider tho what you are doing. I just got a call from somebody I know who did PMR for lifestyle reasons and because she could match in Southern Cali easily. After finishing the residency realized that it more Internal Medicine than she liked and she really didn't like the work. Now she was looking for a rads residency and will probably have to go to some program outside Cali to match.😳

 

[tempperson]

Goober,

Can you be more specific about what aspects of PMR she didn't like. The fact that she said its more IM than she'd like actually encourages me because the way I view PMR is that its 70% "helping" & 30% "thinking and figuring out things". I love to help out and coach/encourage people, but the relatively lower amt of medicine inovlved is probably the one thing that concerns me a bit... ie there may not be as much medicine, ddx, pondering problems, looking at labs involved in it. Of course if you ask in the PMR forum of this site they will beg to differ.

Was there any aspect in particular that was a red flag for her, or she just wasn't the medicine type of person?

did she ever try research, i think pain research is always fascinating

 

[Museless]

I understand prioritizing geography due to family reasons, and I agree that each person has several fields they'd be happy in, not just one perfect specialty that suits them to a t.

Nonetheless, I do think your best bet is to choose one field and go after a spot in it 100%, especially if you're considering a competitive field like rads in an uber-competitive part of the country. Applying to 3 specialties hurts your chances of matching in any of them. Are you a third year? You've still got 6-8 months to decide. Use the time well, go after what you want MOST. If it's rads it is smart to have a 'back-up'. If I were you, though, I'd devote all time and energy to the spot I really want, and research programs in my back-up specialty in case I end up in the scramble.