Declaring a specialty interest in the personal statement

[waldenwoods]

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I feel pretty strongly about what I'd like to subspecialize in. I would like to ask if anyone with experience interviewing/ranking candidates for a categorical pediatrics residency could comment on whether you see people declaring their interests in the personal statement? Does this help or hurt the applicant in any way?

I think I remember reading either here or the Neo forum about concentrating on being a general pediatrics resident while in residency, which definitely seems reasonable to me. That's the main reason why I'm asking about this--because I wonder if residency selection committees are looking for people with broader interests.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I feel pretty strongly about what I'd like to subspecialize in. I would like to ask if anyone with experience interviewing/ranking candidates for a categorical pediatrics residency could comment on whether you see people declaring their interests in the personal statement? Does this help or hurt the applicant in any way?

I think I remember reading either here or the Neo forum about concentrating on being a general pediatrics resident while in residency, which definitely seems reasonable to me. That's the main reason why I'm asking about this--because I wonder if residency selection committees are looking for people with broader interests.

Thanks! 🙂

Not really a problem to indicate your "strong interest" in an area. This is more acceptable than a medical school applicant doing the same thing. As with anything, it's a good idea to indicate flexibility and openness, but certainly a specific interest in one area is very common among residency applicants.

 

[waldenwoods]

Thanks! That was helpful. Now hopefully I can finish this essay!

 

[andyh]

If you know, great! I would put it in... just be sure you can talk about it during the interview since programs may try to link you with attendings in those fields. And when I say to put it in, you should weave your PS around that IMHO rather than saying it in passing.

If you are really sure, don't hesitate to ask the interview committee to link you up with an attending in your field of interest. Several programs will ask you prior to your interview while others will look to you to take the initiative.