double applying

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Don't worry about others. I know someone that went into internal medicine and other (probably a rarity) that was planning on psychiatry, if unsuccessful.

Do what you want.

Usually, it takes a whole lot of planning to get into the good specialties so few plan on 2 good ones (like ENT, derm, ortho, plastics, etc.). Furthermore, if you can't get into one good specialty, you may not be competitive in another good specialty.

Try for good or semi-good specialties. Don't be resigned into either ophthalmology or a crappy, easy to get specialty.

Even often feared and shunned (because of the fear of work) specialties, like general surgery, have good niches. For example, general surgery is a tough residency but there are further opportunities that are gems. For example, colorectal surgery is potentially fun (those bowel anastomoses! and hours good!). A few general surgeons do a lot of colonoscopies (pays better than cataracts!) Some do hand surgery (very intellectual and pays well!). Some do plastics (good and bad). You can make a similar case for other specialties...just visit their message board.
 
colonoscopies are better only if you own the endo center. but if you have your own asc for phaco you can do very well.
 
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