Applying to Oto plus Gen Surg simultaneously

[FatPigeon]

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Hey guys, beginning fourth-year now and just deciding that I'd like to do otolaryngology. I DON'T want to end up like so many other unfortunates, unmatched in March and crying hysterically. It's nuts how competitive it seems to be. I AM from a top 40 school, 245 step 1, honors in surgery and surgical elective, one pub (non-ENT), etc, but am scared in spite of it all (and it appears rightfully so).

I want to apply to general surgery concurrently to avoid ending up with nothing. I realize that I need some oto research and am hoping to do some over the course of the first 4 months of fourth year. The question is...won't general surgery programs see all of this ENT research plus 4th-year electives on my CV and easily conclude that I'm not REALLY that into general surgery? How have other people dealt with this?

Further, I've been forced to start setting up my fourth-year schedule before I even knew what I wanted, so my first block is cardiology. I'd heard it would work for IM, General surg, or most any other field I wanted...but now seeing how competitive things are, should I march in there and try to get it changed? The office in question is full of angry, uncompromising women, so I'd prefer to leave the cards elective if it won't hurt me.

Thanks in advance!

Pigeon

 

[BOOURNS]

The office in question is full of angry, uncompromising women,

Is there any other kind??



JOKING. Relax folks. But I had to laugh.

 

[Bigpwn]

I would do an ENT rotation at your home institution and get 3 letters right away. As matter of fact I would start get to know everyone now if it's possible. But I don't see any reason why you need to apply for Gen Surg. You should match based on numbers. If you are really that anxious, just apply to few Gen Surg programs you can drive to. Have confidence in yourself. 🙂 Good luck.