Fellowships 2009

[l&usibari]

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Just wondering how the application process is going. Anyone getting any love?

 

[yaah]

I know some people have had GI path interviews. Other current 3rd years here are applying or planning to apply. I tell them they need to get moving but they only partially listen. A couple think they are all set for fellowships here, which may be true, they seem to have dispersed themselves among many different fellowship possibilities.

They haven't interviewed anyone here yet for any fellowships, to my knowledge.

 

[Gut Shot]

Applied, interviewed, accepted, done.

BTW, this wasn't a home job at my current institution.

 

[CameronFrye]

Applied, interviewed, accepted, done.

BTW, this wasn't a home job at my current institution.

Congrats!

 

[Gut Shot]

Congrats!

Thanks! It's a very good feeling to have the next step sorted out. Next up: boards.

 

[CameronFrye]

Thanks! It's a very good feeling to have the next step sorted out. Next up: boards.

Yeah, it must feel great. I can't believe I'm only a year away from having to jump through these application hoops again. The fellowship application process sounds a lot more stressful than the one for residency positions.

 

[l&usibari]

Gut Shot, I assume you must be doing GI, and I also have heard of both hemepath and forensics people getting positions. How about the other specialties: surgpath, dermpath, gyn, cyto, gu....anybody got any of these spots yet for 2009?

 

[Gut Shot]

Gut Shot, I assume you must be doing GI,

Nope, Momma just didn't love me.

 

[deschutes]

Applied, interviewed, accepted, done.

BTW, this wasn't a home job at my current institution.

Ha! You just made a whole lot of lurkers freak out 😉

 

[mcfaddens]

Thanks! It's a very good feeling to have the next step sorted out. Next up: boards.

GS,
Quick question, if you were offerd a good job vs your fellowship what would you do?

 

[Gut Shot]

GS,
Quick question, if you were offerd a good job vs your fellowship what would you do?

Interesting question, tough to answer. The way things stand I'd have to stick with fellowship, but that reflects my reluctance to be a general, jack-of-all-trades pathologist. A really good job to me is one that essentially requires fellowship training.

 

[Gut Shot]

Ha! You just made a whole lot of lurkers freak out 😉

Yes, I thought about that. Bottom line is that I got lucky. I was flexible going into the process, sent quite a few applications, and was ready to pounce if/when the first good opportunity arose. It came early, so now I'm set.

To any junior residents, I have three pieces of advice:

1. Assemble your CV and identify things you can do (within reason) to beef it up. Take on some research, publish some abstracts, etc. It's ghey, but people will generally be influenced by the length before the scrutinize the fine print.

2. Find your potential reference letter writers and get to know them... now. Big names are great, but only if they actually like you.

3. Apply early and often. Without a timeline or any data on program numbers, you really are flying blind. Positions will evaporate unpredictably. Sling as much mud as possible.

I'm stunned at how many residents in my program are still screwing around with this process. Some haven't even settled on what they're applying for. WTF? Time to urinate, folks!

 

[l&usibari]

Gut Shot,
How many programs did you apply to, if you don't mind my asking?
I'm planning for dermatopathology 2010 and intend to apply to 25 programs. I'm wondering if that's enough.

 

[Gut Shot]

Gut Shot,
How many programs did you apply to, if you don't mind my asking?
I'm planning for dermatopathology 2010 and intend to apply to 25 programs. I'm wondering if that's enough.

Twenty five is probably reasonable, although a better answer might be "as many as you can stomach."

I applied to 13 programs in a moderately competitive subspecialty (i.e. not derm, but not renal, either). I had two early interview invites. A few of my applications vanished into the ether, but the remainder gave me a "thank you for your interest, our committee will be meeting in a few weeks/months to make invitations." What can I say? The early bird got the worm.

 

[yaah]

GS,
Quick question, if you were offerd a good job vs your fellowship what would you do?

I don't really think that's a realistic scenario - the fellowship will likely "improve" your skills. If they like you that much, they would probably wait for you. That happened with one fellow at our program.

Gut Shot's advice is good advice. I also think the comment of "I got lucky" says a ton about the fellowship application process and how crappy it is in general. I am pretty sure from what I know that Gut Shot is a pretty good candidate for fellowship.

Same happens in our program in regards to people vacillating. Some are (I guess) assuming that they will be taken up by a fellowship at our place. They seem to have (fortunately for them) segregated out so that none are competing for a single spot, but things can change and outstanding external people may show up. So a lot of people in a way torpedo some of their fellowship chances by taking too long to decide or by limiting their options. They may get lucky, in some cases a sympathetic faculty member can be a lifesaver for them, either by pushing them to apply or by basically giving them a spot they might not have deserved. I think the general consensus is that if you haven't applied by the end of this year (for a fellowship starting 18 months from now) you are REALLY playing with fire. You might still get a spot, though, depending on circumstances.

 

[stormjen]

I have gotten no love, and I admit this thread is getting me a little worried. 🙁

I'm not to this > point yet though.

 

[Gut Shot]

I have gotten no love, and I admit this thread is getting me a little worried. 🙁

Meh, it's still early in the season. A lot of places won't even meet to discuss apps until January.

 

[SweetBabyJesus]

Anyone get any dermpath interviews? I am a derm resident and I applied broadly for 2009, but no word yet from any programs. I assume it is still early in the game, so I won't panic, but I have heard of some people already getting invites. When would be a good time to panic if I am still w/o interviews? Thanks.

 

[l&usibari]

Anyone get any dermpath interviews? I am a derm resident and I applied broadly for 2009, but no word yet from any programs. I assume it is still early in the game, so I won't panic, but I have heard of some people already getting invites. When would be a good time to panic if I am still w/o interviews? Thanks.

A resident at my program is in a similar boat as you, although he did get one interview already. Sounds like they are taking their time. Keep us posted since this will be me next year and I want to know what to expect.

 

[l&usibari]

Question: What percentage of 2009 fellowship interviews are given out before the holidays?

 

[yaah]

Probably depends completely on the fellowship. I know at my program they have been interviewing for heme and derm, but I don't think they have yet for surg path, cyto, GU, GI. But they might have given out interview requests already, I am not sure.

 

[pathgurl]

Anyone get any dermpath interviews? I am a derm resident and I applied broadly for 2009, but no word yet from any programs. I assume it is still early in the game, so I won't panic, but I have heard of some people already getting invites. When would be a good time to panic if I am still w/o interviews? Thanks.

Anybody get any interviews for dermpath yet? Im getting kinda worried since it is after the New Year. Admittedly I applied only to a handful of programs, but I just found out that my top choice decided that they no longer have a spot open for 2009. I havent heard from any of the other places that I applied to yet. Dont even know if they have sent out any interviews yet. I thought my CV was fairly competitive.....guess I was wrong!

 

[stormjen]

Anybody get any interviews for dermpath yet? Im getting kinda worried since it is after the New Year. Admittedly I applied only to a handful of programs, but I just found out that my top choice decided that they no longer have a spot open for 2009. I havent heard from any of the other places that I applied to yet. Dont even know if they have sent out any interviews yet. I thought my CV was fairly competitive.....guess I was wrong!

I'm in the same boat. Sucks big time. I was looking forward to the interviews rolling in after the New Year, but guess not. Mind telling me which program no longer has a spot for 2009? Feel free to PM me if you prefer.

 

[exPCM]

It is less than 18 months to the start of 2009 fellowships. There are only 40+ dermpath programs. It shouldn't take a huge amount of time for you to call or email the programs where you have applied to check on the status of your application and to ask where they are in the selection process for 2009. If you haven't had any interview invites by now, it might be time to start considering a backup plan. Good luck!

 

[Gyric]

Applied for hemepath in Oct, had a spot offered in Nov, accepted in Dec.

 

[106174]

Applied for hemepath in Oct, had a spot offered in Nov, accepted in Dec.

how long after you interviewed did they get back to you to offer you the spot? thanks!

 

[desmangt]

It is less than 18 months to the start of 2009 fellowships. There are only 40+ dermpath programs. It shouldn't take a huge amount of time for you to call or email the programs where you have applied to check on the status of your application and to ask where they are in the selection process for 2009. If you haven't had any interview invites by now, it might be time to start considering a backup plan. Good luck!

It can take anywhere from 2 days to 3 months to hear. Every situation is different. You need to ask.

 

[exPCM]

.

 

[exPCM]

It can take anywhere from 2 days to 3 months to hear. Every situation is different. You need to ask.

I agree that every situation is different. There is no standard notification window that is used by all fellowship programs. In my experience, after an interview you will typically hear back within a month or two. During the application process, the timelines are quite variable. Sometimes, programs may decide to accept an in-house candidate or candidates and not even hold any interviews for outside candidates. The fellowship application process is not standardized like the NRMP match. I have seen in-house candidates get spots without any formal interview.

 

[Gut Shot]

I do not know where you come up with this 2 day to 3 month notification standard. IMHO, there is no official notification window that is used by fellowship programs. In my experience, after an interview you will typically hear back within a month or two.

That may be typical, but I thought I'd offer my own experience. Applied to 13 programs, mailing apps on a Saturday. Was offered an interview via email the following Thursday. Interviewed 22 days after that, and was offered the spot 2 business days after my interview.

It was a classic tale of boy meets program.

 

[exPCM]

That may be typical, but I thought I'd offer my own experience. Applied to 13 programs, mailing apps on a Saturday. Was offered an interview via email the following Thursday. Interviewed 22 days after that, and was offered the spot 2 business days after my interview.

It was a classic tale of boy meets program.

Congratulations Gutshot! You are quite fortunate and saved a lot of time (travel time for interviews) and money (travel costs) by locking up a spot so quickly. Good luck in the fellowship

 

[Patrick O]

Gut shot...what fellowship are you going into....I'm guessing by the screenname it might be forensics??

 

[Gut Shot]

Gut shot...what fellowship are you going into....I'm guessing by the screenname it might be forensics??

Good guess, but it's not that (nor it is GI). Let's just say it rhymes with "beam," "cream" and "steam."

 

[Patrick O]

Gotcha, thats competitive these days.

 

[Gut Shot]

Gotcha, thats competitive these days.

That's what I've heard. Our program coordinator told me that the fellowship applicant numbers for heme have rivaled derm this year. Not sure what's up, but I feel extremely fortunate to be able to specialize in my favorite area.