Applying to two programs?

[Quixotic]

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Is it possible to apply to two residency programs at the same hospital/university? Will the departments know that I applied to both fields? I feel I will be torn between at least two if not three different residencies and would like to apply to both. This way I have a better chance ending up in the location or residency I desire.

 

[SmittySC]

Is it possible to apply to two residency programs at the same hospital/university? Will the departments know that I applied to both fields? I feel I will be torn between at least two if not three different residencies and would like to apply to both. This way I have a better chance ending up in the location or residency I desire.

This topic has been discussed many times on these forums and you will get plenty of advice. Some will encourage you whole-heartedly to apply for two different fields of medicine. Others will tell you that it is a bad idea. I am going to fall into the latter. The field of academic medicine is really quite small and people across all specialties can know each other. Applying to the same hostpital/university is a very, very, very bad idea. The chances are quite good they might find out. If you feel you have to apply to two different fields of medicine it is wise to make sure there is no overlap in hospitals/universities. Even if you are careful there is still the possiblility you may be found out. A student who went to my medical school tried applying to two different fields and seemed to be very careful. This student was very well qualified to match in both fields. However, word go out she was applying to two different fields, she did not match in either one. Program directors don't want to take a risk on a resident they think is not committed to their respective field. Losing a resident is poor form. They are going to view your applying to two different specialties as indecision. No matter how qualified you are they will take the person who is just as qualified and committed to the specialty.

 

[trouta]

I dont think the same applies to prelim programs if you really want to be in a certain area.

 

[kalico]

What about applying to similar programs like med-peds & family? Would there still be resistance?