Applying to two specialties, does it double my chances to match?

[hikikomori]

Let's say I apply to 2 categorical specialties and receive 15 interviews total: 5 in ENT, 10 in Medicine. If I rank all of them in one rank list, regardless of their position (non contiguous), do I technically increase my chances to match (assuming I don't care what my specialty is)?

In other words, does having a contiguous list benefit more than non-contiguous one and vice versa?

Contiguous ROL:
1. ENT
2. ENT
3. ENT
...
6. Med
7. Med
...
15. Med

versus

Noncontiguous ROL:
1. ENT
2. ENT
3. Med
4. Med
5. ENT
...
9. Med
10. ENT
..
15. Med

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[DrBowtie]

No difference.

 

[PMPMD]

Let's say I apply to 2 categorical specialties and receive 15 interviews total: 5 in ENT, 10 in Medicine. If I rank all of them in one rank list, regardless of their position (non contiguous), do I technically increase my chances to match (assuming I don't care what my specialty is)?

In other words, does having a contiguous list benefit more than non-contiguous one and vice versa?

Contiguous ROL:
1. ENT
2. ENT
3. ENT
...
6. Med
7. Med
...
15. Med

versus

Noncontiguous ROL:
1. ENT
2. ENT
3. Med
4. Med
5. ENT
...
9. Med
10. ENT
..
15. Med

Like the above poster said, I don't believe this doubles your chances. You can't assume the match is an independent probability function such as rolling a die. Aleo, IM strikes me as an oddbackup choice for ENT. just sayin.

 

[Buzz Me]

Nope.

 

[st2205]

Your odds of matching anywhere are the exact same no matter what combination you come up with on your rank list.

 

[hikikomori]

I guess I wasn't being clear.

1. Does having 15 programs in my ROL, regardless of which specialties, increase my chances of matching at all?

2. Related to question 1, so whatever order I have in my ROL as long as I have enough number, would I have the same odds of matching at all as those having 15 of the SAME specialty in their ROL?

 

[physicsnerd42]

I guess I wasn't being clear.

1. Does having 15 programs in my ROL, regardless of which specialties, increase my chances of matching at all?

2. Related to question 1, so whatever order I have in my ROL as long as I have enough number, would I have the same odds of matching at all as those having 15 of the SAME specialty in their ROL?

1. Yes. In general, the longer the ROL, the greater the chance of matching (unless you're ranking places where you didn't interview).

2. No.

 

[mlw03]

It's not a game. Rank where you want to go, period.

 

[Law2Doc]

Your odds of matching anywhere are the exact same no matter what combination you come up with on your rank list.

Yes, but the OP DOES increase his odds of ending up in his second choice of specialty this way...🙂

 

[GuzzyRon]

My opinion is that how you rank really matters.

If you prefer one specialty over another (say, ENT above Medicine), then you're better off ranking contiguously, i.e. ranking all ENTs programs at the top and all medicine at the bottom (or vice versa, if you prefer medicine to ENT).

The match computer goes down your list one by one and stops wherever it finds you a match. If I remember correctly, about 60-something percent of US seniors match their first choice; about 90 percent or so match within their top 3 choices.

However, if you have no preference at all, then you can rank either way.

Let's say I apply to 2 categorical specialties and receive 15 interviews total: 5 in ENT, 10 in Medicine. If I rank all of them in one rank list, regardless of their position (non contiguous), do I technically increase my chances to match (assuming I don't care what my specialty is)?

In other words, does having a contiguous list benefit more than non-contiguous one and vice versa?

Contiguous ROL:
1. ENT
2. ENT
3. ENT
...
6. Med
7. Med
...
15. Med

versus

Noncontiguous ROL:
1. ENT
2. ENT
3. Med
4. Med
5. ENT
...
9. Med
10. ENT
..
15. Med

 

[Anonymous4th]

I have read the archived threads (which is how I found this one, the search feature). I still have a question about the subject of multiple specialty application.

I'm a DO student who wants to live in the South East. I am really looking at IM. From what I've seen, there are less than 10 residency programs total (Virginia on down, East of the Mississippi, North of Miami).
There are a few FM programs I really like, I think I would do well there, but it is FM. I have little to no interest in OB/GYN, and only some interest in Peds. I was set on FM until a month or two ago, when I realized everything I wanted to do was in IM. So yes, FM is a real option AS WELL.

I see myself doing either Hospitalist work or outpatient care.(Different I know, but the hours and ability to have a family life are what is key to me, I enjoy both.) I like the IM training regimen better and feel it suits me better. But like I said before, a few FM residencies really jump out at me as well.

Seeing as they have great amounts of overlap, I don't feel like a traitor to the cause for applying to both specialties. In fact, it seems like the intelligent thing to do. Unlike the NE, the South is very limited for DO residency options. Less than 10 programs with average scores doesn't scream "recipe for success" to me on the interview trail.


In your opinion SDNer's, would this be taboo to the PD's? Is it "kosher" based on my predicament and how similar the fields are? (to a degree, there are obviously differences)

Do you think I'm a ***** and appreciate using my post as an excuse to spew forth bilious vitriol against anonymous posters in need of help?

Please pardon the SN, I felt anonymity would be best in this case as I know some PD's read this forum and I'd rather not shoot myself in the foot because I like two specialties.


I'm just worried since a lot of the programs are home to both IM and FM residencies and the PD's would be well aware of my supposed "duplicity".

I know this would be a program if I was trying to decide between Psych and Ortho, but with two so similar, is this mentality of "the applicant is indecisive" still in affect? (effect?)

 

[sunset823]

Applying to two specialties in the same program is risky. Yes, IM and FM aren't THAT far apart, but still, both specialties will think you're not committed to either. Everything I've heard advises against doing this. Besides, 10 IM programs seems like an ok number. Yes IM is getting more competitive, but the south is one of the least competitive parts of the country (personally I'd rather walk on hot coals than go there lol), so you should be ok with just those 10. If you're worried add the FM programs that DON'T overlap with the IM ones, but I think the overlaps will harm more than help.

PS It's effect.

 

[gutonc]

I have read the archived threads (which is how I found this one, the search feature). I still have a question about the subject of multiple specialty application.

I'm a DO student who wants to live in the South East. I am really looking at IM. From what I've seen, there are less than 10 residency programs total (Virginia on down, East of the Mississippi, North of Miami).

Wait...what? There are 38 IM programs in the SE as you define it (VA, NC, SC, KY, TN, MS, AL, GA). Tack on WV and FL and you're up to 52. Throw LA in there and you get 8 more. So with somewhere between 40 and 60 programs in your specialty in your chosen region, why would you bother applying to a 2nd specialty?

 

[smq123]

Wait...what? There are 38 IM programs in the SE as you define it (VA, NC, SC, KY, TN, MS, AL, GA). Tack on WV and FL and you're up to 52. Throw LA in there and you get 8 more. So with somewhere between 40 and 60 programs in your specialty in your chosen region, why would you bother applying to a 2nd specialty?

There are only about 20 AOA approved IM residencies in those states, and that's if you include Florida and West Virginia. If you take away Florida and West Virginia, you're left with a whopping six (and 4 of those 6 are in Virginia). Louisiana doesn't have any AOA approved IM residencies. Since he/she is a DO student, I assume that they're not looking at ACGME programs.

If you're a strong student, six places might be enough. It might not. It's a little risky.

 

[gutonc]

There are only about 20 AOA approved IM residencies in those states, and that's if you include Florida and West Virginia. If you take away Florida and West Virginia, you're left with a whopping six (and 4 of those 6 are in Virginia). Louisiana doesn't have any AOA approved IM residencies. Since he/she is a DO student, I assume that they're not looking at ACGME programs.

If you're a strong student, six places might be enough. It might not. It's a little risky.

Well, that wasn't really the question s/he asked though.

I guess the question then becomes, if you're being so restrictive geographically, why not open up your search to ACGME programs? I understand if you're a sub-par applicant but a lot of the ACGME programs in the South/East aren't exactly super-competitive academic powerhouses (the same can be said for most programs everywhere actually) where an average DO would be perfectly competitive.

 

[Anonymous4th]

(personally I'd rather walk on hot coals than go there lol), so you should be ok with just those 10.

PS It's effect.

Lol, thank you good sir. The spouse and I feel the same way about the Northeast, so I'm glad there is something for everyone 😉

Also, thank you for the spelling assistance, I'm afraid that has been a thorn in my side for years now.

More importantly, thank you, all of you, for the advice on residencies.

I'm going to try and scramble to come up with a couple of more LOR's. Right now I'm scheduled to do a few FM aways and zero IM's. So I'll throw my hat in the ring for at least those, none of them are associated with an IM program. I genuinely am interested (simply due to people and location and glowing reports I've heard), and it would be foolish of me to not interview at these spots while I'm already there, and churlish to take their housing and food and time if I had no intention of applying there.

Meanwhile, I'll start looking at MD residencies for IM. I guess I can DO match, then NRMP if I don't match in DO match.

I didn't take USMLE, but at this point, that isn't something I can fix.

I just want to be a good doctor, close to our families, and paid well enough to get out of debt relatively quickly. You'd think they would be anxious to open some residencies in a region that NEEDED them, rather than number 35 for NYC (or however many it is 😉

Thank you again y'all.