Backups

[Jingojango]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone else applying to Rads is applying for a backup specialty. And if so, is it proper etiquette to apply to say both Gas and Rads programs in the same hospital? Do programs compare notes on their applicant pool, and will it affect your cahnces of matching?

 

[ApacheIndian]

I applied to Rads and Gas back-ups too. Many were at the same institutions. I think it's unlikely that these two departments communicate -- so I wouldn't worry about them finding out that way. However, during interviews it is not rare that an applicant is "innocently" asked "So, did you apply to any other fields?" (Gas interviewer) or "So, did you apply to any back-up fields?" (Rads interviewer). You are on precarious ground here, so tread carefully... learn from my mistakes. When asked this during Rads interviews, I honestly told them that I was applying to Gas too. BOOM -- whether true or not, they automatically assume that I want Rads for the money & lifestyle (essentially all that Rads and Gas have in common). I knew better during my Gas interviews and answered "No."

Did I feel good about this? No, but unfortunately honesty is not always the best policy.

Good luck!

 

[Poesie Noire]

I WOULD SIMPLY ANSWER. "YES...PRELIMINARY MEDICINE." EVEN THOUGH THAT IS NOT A TRUE BACKUP, SAYING SO WOULD IMPLY YOU THAT YOU WANT THE FIELD BAD ENOUGH THAT EVEN IF YOU DONT MATCH, YOU'RE WILLING TO FINISH YOUR PGY1 YEAR AND TRY AGAIN.

 

[Jingojango]

Thanks a bunch guys.

I was also wondering if you could give me some advice regarding ERAS.

I recently submitted my ERAS application for a bunch of Radiology/Anaesthesia programs but have not assigned personal statements to the programs as yet.

The reason why I sort of rushed the application process is because I wanted to get my application thru before my step 2 grades come out. See I did pretty well on Step 1 but feel kinda queasy about my soon to be known score for Step 2 (took it 8/20).

So here are the questions:

How long do I have to put in the personal statement before programs start rejecting my application on the basis of incompleteness?

And, is there any way I can get a mulligan or trash my Step 2 score altogether (or at least keep it from entering my applcation)? - Now I already opted out of the automatic retransmit option on ERAS, but the transcipt they get will still have my Step 2 exam date listed, no?

Any help would be much, much appreciated