Fellowship game

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Boujee

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As a ca-2 who is interested in doing a cardiac fellowship at a competitive program, coming from an average program what do you guys recommend I do in the next few months prior to the official application...phone calls, emails, ????

I feel fellowships are a different ballgame than our usual apply, interview and acceptance...

any suggestions/advice is appreciated...thanks
 
I agree with Periopdoc, the sooner you apply the better off you are. I applied in the spring and some of my top choices were already filled before my application was complete. Other than applying early the name of the game is who do you know (or better yet who does your department know). Have your attendings with connections make calls or send emails on your behalf, assuming they like you and believe in your ability. Good luck.
 
If you know what you want to do at this point in your ca-2 year then get letters now and try to apply by dec. or Jan. I applied in April and was behind the game for some places and right on time for others. My classmate (ca3) was contacting places in July and unfortunately a few were accepting applications then for 2012 start. It would be a good idea to look on websites and contact programs to figure out when they will start reviewing them. It varies widely and to me is frustrating. I'd like to see a match set up for fellowships as applying in July of ca2 year is ridiculous and unfair. If you don't know yet then you DO NOT need to freak out because you will figure it out and things will likely work out. I didn't know until march of ca2 year and landed a cardiac spot that I'm psyched about. Good luck.
 
Cardiac fellowships are getting significantly more competitive (just more people applying for the same spots). Like everyone else has said, get the package together early. I'd mail things off no later than January.
 
This was my experience too. I applied April my CA2 year and a surprising number of programs had already filled their spots. Many others hadn't done any interviews yet. It really varies. Start working on your applications now and send them in in January. Also, there is a wide variety of documents programs want. Some want med school transcripts and deans letters, some want official copies of diplomas. It's a pain in the culo.
 
I second the above.
Apply early, I sent my completed applications in mid February. I did not get any interviews until April however. Ended up interviewing from mid April to late June and got into my top choice program who happened to interview me last on June 28th! So there is no rule about when particular programs are interviewing but I agree, there's a lot of variation. My very good friend made a mistake of applying in late April and her choices were limited.

In terms of application process itself this is what I recommend: first look at each program's website to check the requirements. Then get in touch with the PD or their assistant if there's no clear info on the website. Make sure you have all your paperwork ready, some programs ask for ITE results or copy of your Med School Diploma.

Letters, letters, letters....cannot overestimate the importance of good LORs. Make sure you ask the right people, people who will truly advocate for you. It's helpful if there's someone in your Dept. that is known in cardiac world. Ask if they would be willing to make some phone calls on your behalf.
Also, suprisingly large number of people commented on my personal statement. Apparently they do read these things so make yourself stand out.

Other than that - just be personable, don't try to sell yourself as someone you're not. These interviews (at least from my perspective) are more about who you are, not what you know or have done. You proved already that you are smart, hard working, good anesthesiologist blah blah blah. Now they wanna know if you're fun to work with and have something to bring to the table.

Good luck!
 
Boujee said:
As a ca-2 who is interested in doing a cardiac fellowship at a competitive program, coming from an average program what do you guys recommend I do in the next few months prior to the official application...phone calls, emails, ????

I feel fellowships are a different ballgame than our usual apply, interview and acceptance...

any suggestions/advice is appreciated...thanks
Click to expand...

Honestly, just send in your application and complete it the sooner the better (this means requesting all your board scores, writing your essay, getting your LORs written and sent).

Beggars can't be choosers; cardiac fellowships aren't exactly swimming in applicants so if you send in a reasonably nice application and they grant you an interview your chances are pretty good. Offers are made on a rolling basis throughout the year, so the early bird gets the worm.

P.S. You misspelled "bougie."
 
jennyboo said:
Beggars can't be choosers; cardiac fellowships aren't exactly swimming in applicants
Click to expand...

I am not sure where you are, but at UW we had so many applicants that it could get difficult keeping them straight. My understanding from friends at other institutions is that they are experiencing a similar abundance of applicants.

-pod
 
periopdoc said:
I am not sure where you are, but at UW we had so many applicants that it could get difficult keeping them straight. My understanding from friends at other institutions is that they are experiencing a similar abundance of applicants.

-pod
Click to expand...


Indeed. I am a current fellow and when I applied in April of last year, many programs were finishing up interviews or were filled, and everybody said the competition had tightened up considerably. I'm guessing the abolition of the experience pathway to TEE certification and job security issues have a lot to do with it.

Anyway, my advice: APPLY EARLY.
 
jennyboo said:
Honestly, just send in your application and complete it the sooner the better (this means requesting all your board scores, writing your essay, getting your LORs written and sent).

Beggars can't be choosers; cardiac fellowships aren't exactly swimming in applicants so if you send in a reasonably nice application and they grant you an interview your chances are pretty good. Offers are made on a rolling basis throughout the year, so the early bird gets the worm.

P.S. You misspelled "bougie."
Click to expand...

Good, ACGME accredited, Cardiac fellowships are actually drowning in applicants. Multiple programs notified me they received an unprecedented number of applications this past cycle.

p.s. Bougie already exists.
 
I'm also interested in a cardiac fellowship. What is the average number of programs that people usually apply to?

Granted, I want to give myself a good shot, but it seems like kind of a nuisance to ask your attendings to make you copies of 10 letters (or is that just pretty standard?).
 
I am presently a fellow in a Big 3 CT fellowship.

As stated above, apply early. Probably no later than January. Our applications have DOUBLED from the previous year. Not sure of reason but concerns seem to be TEE certification, bad job market, opt outs on the rise, etc.

Good luck.
 
What's a "Big 3 CT fellowship?"
 
burntcrispy said:
Emory, Cleveland Clinic, Texas Heart.
Click to expand...

Emory? I heard that they almost didn't get accreditation, and I also heard that their numbers have dropped so significantly that they may have to cut the fellowship program in half. Is it true that they are down to <800 hearts?
 
Last edited:
Sorry guys. Didn't mean to imply prestige of fellowship. By Big 3 I ment size of the fellowship. I heard the term "big 3" several times back when i was applying. Most places seem to have only a couple of fellows whereas the 3 mentioned above all have around 10 or more fellows. I'm sure you get good training no matter where you go.

Good luck with the apps.
 
burntcrispy said:
Sorry guys. Didn't mean to imply prestige of fellowship. By Big 3 I ment size of the fellowship. I heard the term "big 3" several times back when i was applying. Most places seem to have only a couple of fellows whereas the 3 mentioned above all have around 10 or more fellows. I'm sure you get good training no matter where you go.

Good luck with the apps.
Click to expand...

If you're basing the term on numbers, you can erase Emory and add Duke. Emory takes 6, looks like 5 next year (SCA listings). Duke takes more than 10.
 
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