Cardio application discussion thread: '08-09 version

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i haven't signed up for eras yet, but in terms of logistics, I've wondered:

1. Length of PS: rec is 5-600 words? Mine's prob 900-somehting so far...ayy....
2. Letters of Recs...seems like there's 3...program director of internal medicine and 2 cards recs. Can u submit 4 letters?
3. What's time frame for everything? When should u open up an eras by? When should u request letters to be written? I've heard progams can see everything by Nov 15 and Dec 15 is the deadline.
 
Some programs have deadlines earlier than Dec 15th (check their web sites). Some would take applications even through early January or late January. It's better to try to get the stuff in by around Dec 1st, but it's possible to apply a bit later (I did). Take into account it will take ERAS a while to scan in your LOR's, etc. They are not as fast as your med school "dean's office" that you had as a 4th year med student, in general.
 
I submitted 4 LOR's to most of the places. I wouldn't go hogwild and submit more than that, but nobody complained about the four (vs. having 3). There are a few places that specifically state to NOT send more than 3, in which case I'd send the PD letter and 2 cardiology ones.

I would try to keep your personal statement to 1 page - mine went over by just a few lines I think. They don't want to read more than that.
 
Four letters is probably better than three if you can find four people to write you great letters. Preferably at least one clinical letter, and one from someone you've done research with.

Agree with no more than a page or your personal statement won't get read.

From what I recall Northwestern was the only place I know of with a Dec 15th deadline, but I'm sure there's others.

Setup a meeting with your program director early, i.e. now if you already haven't, because that will take quite a while to go in most places... make sure they know the deadline is dec 15th;
 
second what was said above...4 letters would be optimal...PD, the rest cardiologists with whom you have worked and one research letter. Deadlines vary (mid Dec to late Feb).
 
Hey, why is this year's cardiology application thread so inactive. Does it mean that people have lost their interest in cardiology all of a sudden. Be more active guys!
 
Some general tips off the top of my head after having read the above posts:

- Keep your personal statement to one page (or less). Click on my profile to find a post I'd made last year laying out the exact character count.

- You must submit at least three letters of rec. Four is fine. Anything more than that may be pushing it unless they're all from someone thoroughly amazing who can attest that you can walk on water.

- We cannot access anything in ERAS until December 1st.

- Have everything required (EVERY SINGLE THING) in ERAS by deadline. Yes, some deadlines are around mid-December. It's your responsibility to know the deadlines.

- We are well aware that ERAS opened to you in July, so you will be hard-pressed to sway a program with a plea as to why you won't be complete by deadline. Bear in mind that the holidays will be upon all of us, so some programs are trying to review everything by January. It's a long hall for all of us!

- We must have your step I and step II USMLE scores. Step III is not required to apply.

Okay. That's enough for now, but I'll be around throughout the season.

:luck:
 
i noticed that all programs have different requirements, which sometime don't include usmle scores, medschool transcripts or dean's letter. would it be disadvantageous not to submit these even if they are not required? i.e. my usmle scores are not stellar, and i wonder if i should not submit my scores unless required.
 
I've noticed that a lot of program websites don't clearly say what documents are required, how many letters to submit, etc. Sometimes, due dates are a little hazy too (often with last year's schedule).

I have written to a few program coordinators to clarify what they want, and they often require (or ask for) additional documents from ERAS such as your Dean's letter, transcript (even though the website doesn't list these documents).

My plan is to submit everything to each program; unless they specifically say they don't want it. I think its better to give programs too much rather than no enough.

--Cheers
 
Hey Program Coordinator,

I have few queries, will appreciate your help.

I am a FMG currently on a H1 visa, but do not need Visa during fellowship as I will have green card by then. My problem is whether I shall apply to programs that do not allow H1 visa.

The catch 22 is that they mention the current visa and not expected. Do you know if the filter used in ERAS is about current or expected visa.

Thanks,

P🙂
 
This is not an easy question to answer because every program filters differently and you have to be honest about your current visa status. You're right about the catch 22 if you're applying to a program that won't entertain an application from a candidate on a visa because they will filter you out from the start and won't get to see whether you've mentioned your anticipated permanent resident status in your personal statement. We accept applications from applicants on H1b and J1 visas so I don't filter based on that facet of the application and have never seen an application with a built-in ERAS option stating that a candidate is expecting a green card. Therefore I infer that this isn't an option for you when you're building your submission.

Having said all of that: You can take a leap by sending a very brief e-mail to the program(s) stating that you are currently applying to them via ERAS and that, although you are currently on an H1b visa, you are anticipating Permanent Resident status in the near future. Don't be pushy. Don't be longwinded; just to the point. Attach your CV.

Good luck.
 
ProgCoordinator said:
This is not an easy question to answer because every program filters differently and you have to be honest about your current visa status. You're right about the catch 22 if you're applying to a program that won't entertain an application from a candidate on a visa because they will filter you out from the start and won't get to see whether you've mentioned your anticipated permanent resident status in your personal statement. We accept applications from applicants on H1b and J1 visas so I don't filter based on that facet of the application and have never seen an application with a built-in ERAS option stating that a candidate is expecting a green card. Therefore I infer that this isn't an option for you when you're building your submission.

Having said all of that: You can take a leap by sending a very brief e-mail to the program(s) stating that you are currently applying to them via ERAS and that, although you are currently on an H1b visa, you are anticipating Permanent Resident status in the near future. Don't be pushy. Don't be longwinded; just to the point. Attach your CV.

Good luck.
Click to expand...


Thanks a lot. I submitted with current status as H1B and expected as immigrant. Will consider e mailing a few programs. P🙂
 
don't know why some programs require additional paper application with fees besides ERAS. ... its just too much work n money. how many programs are u guys applying on an average?
 
I didn't apply to any of the places with a super early deadline. I didn't get any invites until January. Most places don't invite folks until February...first 2 weeks of Feb. is a heavy email correspondence/invite/reject time. A few places send out invites into March or so. Rejections I started getting them in January and most places will reject you by some time in February if they are going to. A few came later I think, or a few places might just ignore you and never tell you one way or the other.
 
dragonfly99 said:
A few came later I think, or a few places might just ignore you and never tell you one way or the other.
Click to expand...
I found this to be the case, as well. I think there were three or four places I simply never heard back from. Same thing happened to a friend of mine. In my opinion this is wildly unprofessional and inappropriate, but apparently is not particularly uncommon.
 
hello, i'm student from georgia,i'd like to continue study in spain,in cardiology department,if enybody knows anything about postgraduate study plzz help 🙂
 
Any interviews or rejections apart from Arizona. Keep the forum posted guys. I know that the real activity starts by feb but this seems unusually silent.
 
It's way too early for most of the programs. Wait about another 3-5 weeks...then you will start hearing something.
 
I think my chances for a fellowship must be outstanding! It seems that no one is interested in the ol' heart anymore. I guess the best and brightest went into investment banking. Who would have thought I would have my pick of the programs this year (guess the thousand of dollars I gave ERAS was unnecessary). My only regret is how lonely it will be. Just me STEMI and a few other lost soles. Too bad there are so may programs; chances are we won't be at the same hospital and the work load is likely to be a little overwhelming.
 
it started man... on a bad note...1st rejection-Mayo, Arizona! did anybody hear anything?
 
Rejection from Mayo-Arizona...IMG, H1B, Gud Univ Program, Some research.

Please put ur credentials along with rejections and interview call info, so that others can assess who is likely to get an interview.
 
NonUniversity Academic Program, PGY2, 2 papers published, 4 papers accepted for publication, couple of local poster presentation, 2 ACC poster presentations. i'm first or second author throughout. not an IMG.

applied to 63 programs. so far rejected from arizona mayo. good luck all

ps: Neil stop reading this post it will start to drive you mad!! ;-)
 
OptimusPrime said:
NonUniversity Academic Program, PGY2, 2 papers published, 4 papers accepted for publication, couple of local poster presentation, 2 ACC poster presentations. i'm first or second author throughout. not an IMG.

applied to 63 programs. so far rejected from arizona mayo. good luck all

ps: Neil stop reading this post it will start to drive you mad!! ;-)
Click to expand...


Non-University Academic Program
US Grad
1 review article (2nd author) and 1 case report (1st author)
2 non-cards pubs


Rejections:
Mayo-Scottsdale

Interviews:
Univ. Florida - Jacksonville

Optimus - I agree, Neil should not read this - its driving me crazy so he doesn't stand a chance
 
congrats on U of F - Jacksonville, when did you hear?
 
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Anybody know anyone who DID get an interview at Mayo - AZ? Just curious what type of residents they give interviews.
 
One the guys applying from our program this year got an interview there. His pretty smart kid, so-so research but I think he has some strong letters of rec.

In my humble opinion I don’t think there are any formulas of specific types of applicants that each particular program looks for and you shouldn’t spend too much of your time trying to figure out why or why not some applicants get rejected and others get interviews to specific programs.

Majority of programs have 3-4 spots per year and they can get anywhere from 600 to 1000+ applicants each year. Most applicants also tend to fall in the middle, you have your small percentage of amazing applicants with dual degrees (MD/PhD) and amazing research (ground breaking publications) and stellar letters of recs and pedigree (ie IV leaguers). As you will also have a small percentage of poor applicants, guys (or gals) who just did a CCU month and thought it was rad, published a case report and now think they’re ready to run the cath lab (ok, so a bit of exaggeration but you get the gist).

With that said, now think about it from the programs point of view. You have a handful of faculty whom are usually very busy with their own schedule and now they are put to task to review 800+ applicants to determine whom will get the 50 or so interviews this year for those 4 spots (also the more competitive programs may only need to interview 30 peepz from the 1000 applicants for the 4 spots… again I’m trying to paint a picture here. Still with me? Good).

Of course it will be relatively easy for most programs to eliminate the really crappy as well as pick out the number one stunners from each application cycle but the real task for these programs is to sort through the rest of (let say) 500-600 applicants whom may all pretty much sound alike (pretty good research, pretty good letters of rec, decent program and so fort) and give out the remaining interview spots. I think its relatively safe to guess that there will be many applicants that may end up missing on interviews when others with similar resumes get an interview. Its just part of the game, shrug it off and move on.

Now, I’m not going to pretend that I know all the exact criteria each program uses to select applicants for interviews but the point of my painfully long post is to get across that it will do your stomach ulcers a lot of good if you don’t stress over each particular rejection.

OP

ps: Go Steelers!!
 
<Majority of programs have 3-4 spots per year and they can get anywhere from 600 to 1000+ applicants each year. Most applicants also tend to fall in the middle, you have your small percentage of amazing applicants with dual degrees (MD/PhD) and amazing research (ground breaking publications) and stellar letters of recs and pedigree (ie IV leaguers). As you will also have a small percentage of poor applicants, guys (or gals) who just did a CCU month and thought it was rad, published a case report and now think they’re ready to run the cath lab (ok, so a bit of exaggeration but you get the gist).

With that said, now think about it from the programs point of view. You have a handful of faculty whom are usually very busy with their own schedule and now they are put to task to review 800+ applicants to determine whom will get the 50 or so interviews this year for those 4 spots (also the more competitive programs may only need to interview 30 peepz from the 1000 applicants for the 4 spots… again I’m trying to paint a picture here. Still with me? Good).

Of course it will be relatively easy for most programs to eliminate the really crappy as well as pick out the number one stunners from each application cycle but the real task for these programs is to sort through the rest of (let say) 500-600 applicants whom may all pretty much sound alike (pretty good research, pretty good letters of rec, decent program and so fort) and give out the remaining interview spots. I think its relatively safe to guess that there will be many applicants that may end up missing on interviews when others with similar resumes get an interview. Its just part of the game, shrug it off and move on.>

I agree with this. When you go to your interviews you will find you are sitting around with a bunch of people similar to yourself, and wondering how the hell the interviewers are going to decide to rank one > another. At least that was how I felt.
 
R2 Academic University Hospital
AMG
Few abstracts, few poster presentations, No manuscripts

Interviews:
University of Florida-Jacksonville
 
I was in the same position as many of you last year, anxiously awaiting for interview offers. I matched at a Midwest university program. I applied to ~ 25-30 programs, and received ~ 10 interviews (3 pittsburgh programs, 3 ohio programs, 2 programs in Michigan, and 2 programs out west). I applied almost exclusively in the Midwest secondary to family considerations.

Currently, chief resident (I only applied as a 3rd year resident) of community hospital (with university affiliation), poster presentation at AHA meeting, multiple poster and oral presentations at local/state meetings, 1st author on manuscript, good letters of rec...

I did not receive my first interview offer (ohio state) until early February. I received 2-3 rejections in January, but the vast majority of programs I applied to did not offer interviews/send rejections until February and March. Three of the programs I interviewed at did not notify applicants of offers until early/mid March, and the interviews were held at the end of April for these programs. Therefore, do not worry if you have not heard from many programs yet. I too agree with the above re: the selection criteria. After meeting/talking to many of the applicants along the way, I realized that there are a wide range of criteria (and not just one) that programs use when selecting applicants to interview. The MAJORITY of places I interviewed at had selected applicants with a wide range of credentials (2nd year residents, 3rd year residents, residents with post grad training in imaging/heart failure/etc., residents with lots of research, residents with minimal research but from well known programs...you get the picture). There were a few programs that many of the interviewees were from within the program. Good luck with the interview process. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me.
 
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