Back up specialty

[stevesteve123]

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So there has been a couple thread Re: applying to multiple specialties at once, especially at the same hospital; and that is regarded as "bad"

but seem at the same time many people have a "back-up" specialty they apply to in case they dont get their first choice of a more competitive specialty

is there a difference between these 2 scenarios? do you just apply to less programs for your "back-up" or what?

what if you just want to be at certain locations, is applying both psych and FM across the board really that bad?

 

[BoardingDoc]

Your earlier post about Step 1:

took the beast today (no homo)

not too bad (whoever said its 30% WTF questions are either 1.trolling 2.super unlucky 3.horribly underpreped 4. all of the above)

too much anatomy for my liking toh

F'ck anatomy

Guessing you did well on step 1? If so, why are you applying to FM with psych as a backup (or vice versa)? Those are two of the least competitive specialties out there.

 

[stevesteve123]

Your earlier post about Step 1:


Guessing you did well on step 1? If so, why are you applying to FM with psych as a backup (or vice versa)? Those are two of the least competitive specialties out there.

from Canada/need visa, also pretty picky geographically kinda

 

[Smurfette]

Your earlier post about Step 1:


Guessing you did well on step 1? If so, why are you applying to FM with psych as a backup (or vice versa)? Those are two of the least competitive specialties out there.

maybe he just wants to do FM because he likes it. I know plenty of people who did well on step 1 and 2 who went into FM, and a few who went into psych. Doing what you like makes life much more enjoyable than doing something you hate just because you can.

To answer the OP's question, if the PDs talk to each other and realize you applied to both programs (or see you interviewing in another program at their hospital), they may think 1. you are not serious about doing their field/undecided or 2. you are applying as back up and may leave if you find a position in the field you do want. So generally, the advice is to not apply to two programs in the same hospital.

 

[BoardingDoc]

maybe he just wants to do FM because he likes it. I know plenty of people who did well on step 1 and 2 who went into FM, and a few who went into psych. Doing what you like makes life much more enjoyable than doing something you hate just because you can.

To answer the OP's question, if the PDs talk to each other and realize you applied to both programs (or see you interviewing in another program at their hospital), they may think 1. you are not serious about doing their field/undecided or 2. you are applying as back up and may leave if you find a position in the field you do want. So generally, the advice is to not apply to two programs in the same hospital.

I should clarify my original post. I wasn't implying that OP shouldn't apply to FM or psych. I think either are great fields. My point was that OP can find the one that is most appealing and apply to that one alone. The benefit of wanting to go into a less competitive field as a competitive applicant is that it largely obviates the need for backup applications. No disrespect to either field was intended.