Feeling pretty certain about a specialty...

[Zumab]

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I have several things on my resume that are related to a specialty of interest (oncology). I have shadowed oncologists (and a few other doctors in other fields), had several research experiences in the past few years related to it, taken courses on it in school. I have also read about the downsides of the specialty but I really cannot imagine myself doing anything else. Being that I am pretty certain that I would like to get into this field (and also since several activities on my CV reflect this), would this bode negatively when applying?

 

[ndafife]

Definitely. Schools hate people who know what they want in life.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

It depends a lot on how you come across. Oncology or bust would be kind of off-putting.
Saying you have a great interest oncology wouldn't be.

 

[medic86]

It depends a lot on how you come across. Oncology or bust would be kind of off-putting.
Saying you have a great interest oncology wouldn't be.

This.

/thread

 

[bravomavo]

you will likely change your mind after you start

most people do

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

I think you are better off just saying you have an interest in working with cancer patients. This can span many different specialties: oncology, radiology, hematology, urology, otolaryngology, etc etc. That way you can talk about a specific interest while saying you are keeping your options open regarding specialty, because you despite what you think, you have no idea what working in oncology is like.

 

[robin911]

I am in a similar situation with rheumatology: have had 3 research publications in clinical rheumatology, worked for a division of rheumatology for all of undergrad, went to two international rheumatology conferences, etc. etc.

What I have learned is that even though rheumatology is something I am very passionate about and can see myself specializing in, it is also the thing that I know the most about and am most comfortable with. I have not gotten to experience other specialties with as much depth as I have rheumatology and until that point, I do not think it is wise for me to choose a speciality. I am fascinated with all of medicine and am sure that cardiology would interest me if I spent 3+ years researching it or hem-onc or FP, or EM etc.. You could very well be a hem/onc some day, but do not make up your mind just yet.

I learned that the hard way getting burned on an interview question earlier this cycle when I said I could see myself becoming a rheumatologist and the interviewer recognized my naivety quickly. Truth is, it is hard to know what you don't know. You don't know about other specialties so it is hard to know what you will end up specializing in, that is why medical schools have rotations in years 3 and 4, keep an open mind.

It's okay to tell an interviewer you have been interested in a specialty, but do not say that is going to be your specialty, a mistake that I made and was called out.

I have several things on my resume that are related to a specialty of interest (oncology). I have shadowed oncologists (and a few other doctors in other fields), had several research experiences in the past few years related to it, taken courses on it in school. I have also read about the downsides of the specialty but I really cannot imagine myself doing anything else. Being that I am pretty certain that I would like to get into this field (and also since several activities on my CV reflect this), would this bode negatively when applying?

 

[allantois]

Seeing that IM is a primary care specialty, I doubt anyone would have a problem with you only wanting to be an oncologist.

There are certain specialties where realizing your interest only in your last year of school would never get you a residency spot in them.

 

[boshtrich]

I think that it's fine to express an interest in a specialty or subspecialty.

I think people get in trouble when they express disinterest in other specialties/subspecialties.

I'd second this. It's definitely okay to have a strong interest in a certain field, especially since you have the experience to back it up. Just don't go bashing any other specialties. If an interviewer doesn't seem to like it you can alway spin it that you're interested in oncology primarily because you e had more exposure to the field than other specialities.

 

[mcworbust]

I'd second this. It's definitely okay to have a strong interest in a certain field, especially since you have the experience to back it up. Just don't go bashing any other specialties. If an interviewer doesn't seem to like it you can alway spin it that you're interested in oncology primarily because you e had more exposure to the field than other specialities.

Agree with the above, and I would qualify any statement of what specialty you're interested in with "I know this may change, and I'm looking forward to learning about all areas of medicine, but I really like __ because of this and this and this experience..." Its excellent to have a "story", and having multiple connected activities helps tell that story vs. a random collection of stuff on your app.

If possible keep shadowing new and different specialties, even if only for a half day, so that you can get broad exposure. Also, if you have a physician faculty interviewer, you can see what specialty they're in and may be able to relate to them slightly better due to your brief, surface level experience with their specialty (if it is not Oncology, that is). Thinking this way may be overkill, take it with a grain of salt...