dangerous to apply to 2 diff residencies?

[coconut lime]

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i'm an M3 and plan to apply to radiology next year; however, i'm wondering if it is prudent to apply to something else i am interested in (albeit not as much as radiology) as a back-up? i'm pretty sure i would be happy in either rads or anesthesiology, but rads is definitely #1. is it a bad idea to apply to both? thanks.

 

[NinerNiner999]

i'm an M3 and plan to apply to radiology next year; however, i'm wondering if it is prudent to apply to something else i am interested in (albeit not as much as radiology) as a back-up? i'm pretty sure i would be happy in either rads or anesthesiology, but rads is definitely #1. is it a bad idea to apply to both? thanks.

I would think its only a bad idea to tell the programs you are applying to both. Programs don't know where else you apply.

 

[cytoborg]

Programs do often get wind of it, though. Someone from my program contemplated doing this, and was advised by advisors in both the specialties NOT to do it...they said it is almost always figured out, or at least suspected. Neither specialty will be pleased and you will burn both your bridges. Make a firm decision as to what specialty you want, and throw yourself into that and that only. If you're worried about not matching, apply to a ton of programs and rank deep.

 

[sohsie]

Programs do often get wind of it, though. Someone from my program contemplated doing this, and was advised by advisors in both the specialties NOT to do it...they said it is almost always figured out, or at least suspected. Neither specialty will be pleased and you will burn both your bridges. Make a firm decision as to what specialty you want, and throw yourself into that and that only. If you're worried about not matching, apply to a ton of programs and rank deep.

"They" are full of it. Residency directors from different programs in the same hospital dont go around sharing each others list of interview candidates. Be discrete and you'll be fine.

 

[Annoyances]

"They" are full of it. Residency directors from different programs in the same hospital dont go around sharing each others list of interview candidates. Be discrete and you'll be fine.

I applied to two fileds myself and no neither one knew about the other. So as long as you are discreet send the right presonal statement and recommendation letters to the right programs you should be fine. They do not go around discussing these things with other people in other fields.

 

[retroviridae]

my case is a little different, because I applied to IM, Pedi, and Med-Peds (I couldn't make up my mind). Well, obviously they did know what I was doing, and I did get a lot of flack about that along the interview trail. I would recomend against it. It only delays you having to make up your mind. Eventually, you still have to make up your mind and be happy with your decision.

 

[ears]

i'm an M3 and plan to apply to radiology next year; however, i'm wondering if it is prudent to apply to something else i am interested in (albeit not as much as radiology) as a back-up? i'm pretty sure i would be happy in either rads or anesthesiology, but rads is definitely #1. is it a bad idea to apply to both? thanks.

It sounds like you're not really torn between the fields; you know which one you want: radiology.

I can't tell you whether you should have a back-up or not, but I can tell you that radiology isn't a field like rad/onc, dermatology, or ENT where it's fierce competition for a small number of spots. There are about 1000 radiology spots, and that means that almost any US allopathic grad with decent board scores can certainly match if they apply broadly and rank enough programs.

If you were really worried about not matching, you could apply to both. But it seems like it would be a lot of hassle, making sure everything went to the right place, and having three separate sets of interviews to go to (rads, gas, and prelim).

Anesthesiology is less competitive than radiology, but not easy. And your ability to match into it is lowered when programs find out that they're your backup for radiology.

Look, you should talk to a radiology advisor who can help you understand whether you really need a backup. It could just be very expensive insurance you don't particularly need. Be bold!

 

[cytoborg]

"They" are full of it. Residency directors from different programs in the same hospital dont go around sharing each others list of interview candidates. Be discrete and you'll be fine.

I doubt his advisors were implying that departments compare lists of candidates. But I know at our relatively small institution, there is no such thing as discretion. It was well-known among the fourth-year class (along with residents and faculty) who among us was applying to what. Word could easily get out to the residents and faculty in the "other" department which could impact the support you receive in writing letters and making phonecalls for you during application and ranklist time. This guy in my class was trying to stay at our home institution, so he didn't have a chance in hell of hiding it...both departments would have found out and that's why he had to come clean. But if you're looking to leave and get your LORs before word circulates - or if your letter-writers are cool with it - you'll probably be fine.

Also, I know I was asked point-blank during my pathology interviews if I was "sure" I wanted to do pathology or if I might be using it as a back-up for something else. The first time I got this question, I was shocked because the thought had never even crossed my mind. But as I progressed through the season I learned this is a fairly standard question. I guess they get sick of people using path as a backup (for rads, usually) and they have their radar attuned to it. Maybe gas people don't see this phenomenon as much and won't be on the lookout for it.

 

[pollyanna]

I applied to Gas and IM because I couldn't make a decision...I interviewed for both and ranked only Gas. I never applied to the same hospital for both programs. I kept them separate because sometimes the secretary printing out the applications is the same person for all of the depts. She/he may see the same name and tell the programs. Or by chance you may see people the hospital ie residents or attendings who recognize you, v. uncomfortable. I think that it may be a smart idea but if you have your heart set on Rads then you apply and if you don't get it reapply next year, rank a bunch of transitional year programs at the end of the match list.

Good luck.

 

[joshmir]

1) If you really want to do rads, *do not apply for a back up specialty*. If you don't match, do an intern year and try again, with a back up specialty THEN. you won't waste any time

2) I took interviews in 3 different specialties in NYC in one prestigious hospital. nobody knows if you do. interstingly, at GWU, the same coordinator/secretary handled both gas and rads and offered me interviews in both.

3) never tell them you are applying in more than one field. just suck it up and find your own ethical justification as to why.

you will be happy in both fields unles your prime objective is to be able to live in another country and make american doctor bank (israel, india, australia, hawaii, brazil, expat enclaves in tropical islands), then do rads and telerads. if you want the *opportunity* to have very leisurely days (although taking a mild pay cut) and no call do gas in the outpatient setting.

 

[ktat72]

I did not match rads this year - made the mistake of ranking only one prelim and one transitional at the bottom of my list since I trusted the transitional guy (and the mom of one of best friends in childhood was also on the committee). Right now I have an offer to do research starting this June at a really nice place - will not get me into that program. Concentrated so hard on one of the radiology spots that I did not secure an internship

After what happened this year and talking to my home program's PD and resident who was head of the selection committee, I was planning to another specialty that I was also interested in after doing a rotation related to it a few months back. Actually have that rotation next month.

What is your opinion of this? Do not want to waste any more time off like I did this year.