Can you apply to multiple specialties?

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ConfusedAboutEverything

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Let's say you want to do EM, but want a backup. Can you also apply IM/FM?

How does that work and do both programs see the same personal statement or can you write two different personal statements? You'd probably need LORs from both specialties and so in that case do the EM PD's see those too?
 
What about Prelim Y. Should I use the same LOR's and the same PS? They all state that I want anesthesia.
Also, should I apply for Categorical and Advanced positions in the same program? How about Prelim Y? If I applied to Categorical in a program does it look desperate is I apply to IM-prelimY there?
 
You can apply to as many specialties as you want.

You will need separate LORs and personal statements, and you can assign different letters and PS for each specialty (or even each program if you wanted to). Just make sure there are no errors like an IM letter writer saying you're interested in EM - programs want to think that you're 100% dead set on their specialty.

What about 4th year rotations? Is there a way to do a bunch of ortho sub-Is without the general surgery programs knowing?
 
It may look weird if you apply to a specialty but have a lot of research in some other.
 
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