Hematology/Oncology 2020-2021 Fellowship Application Cycle

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Penn State
University of Florida
VCU
ECU
University of Mississippi

Any thoughts on rank order?
 
lulu09 said:
See, what I don't get about this is why some fellowship programs continue to insist on their fellows doing more than 18 months of clinical work which is the minimum mandated by the ACGME. If you're serious about academics you need all the time you can get in fellowship to do research, and clearly they are taxing their fellows by having them do research years to get into academics.
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I don’t know if I misworded things but when I say “doing a research year” I meant “doing research for their PGY6 year.”

Also I would say you truly do belong in academics if the idea of a program doing more than the bare minimum clinical training is some sort of shocking travesty to you :laugh:
 
HemeOncHopeful19 said:
I don’t know if I misworded things but when I say “doing a research year” I meant “doing research for their PGY6 year.”

Also I would say you truly do belong in academics if the idea of a program doing more than the bare minimum clinical training is some sort of shocking travesty to you :laugh:
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Haha I actually agree with Lulu though. You can always ask for more. Can't really ask for less in this situation. Given how competitive top programs have become with each other in terms of attracting top applicants, the only reason people maintain more than 18mo clinical is because they can't spare the manpower, so that's something to keep in mind (though it's definitely not a dealbreaker).
 
Brings up a good point. Everyone: friendly reminder to CHECK YOUR CERTIFICATION STATUS BY TONIGHT! You don't want to be that person that changes their list last minute and forgets to certify and goes unmatched as a result (YES THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND ITS WEIRDLY NOT UNCOMMON). That said, don't be too neurotic about it. If it says "certified" in green then you're good.
 
ShuperNewbie said:
Brings up a good point. Everyone: friendly reminder to CHECK YOUR CERTIFICATION STATUS BY TONIGHT! You don't want to be that person that changes their list last minute and forgets to certify and goes unmatched as a result (YES THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND ITS WEIRDLY NOT UNCOMMON). That said, don't be too neurotic about it. If it says "certified" in green then you're good.
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IIRC, in the last year or so, NRMP has adjusted the rules so that, as long as you have some sort of list up there when the clock runs out, you've got a list, certified or not.

But I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time today...or even the first time since dinner.
 
Can people share what personalised email from Mayo Rochester's PD they received? was it rank 2 match?
 
Here is a copy of the spreadsheet from this year. Posting it as I'm sure future years will pour over it nervously as always when their time comes. My one piece of advice to those future readers is to take all of it with a grain of salt and don't stress too much about it. It's all posted anonymously so just assume everything is only an opinion rather than fact. Thanks to everyone who was a part of it.
 

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Robotneurologist said:
Here is a copy of the spreadsheet from this year. Posting it as I'm sure future years will pour over it nervously as always when their time comes. My one piece of advice to those future readers is to take all of it with a grain of salt and don't stress too much about it. It's all posted anonymously so just assume everything is only an opinion rather than fact. Thanks to everyone who was a part of it.
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Waiiiiitttt a second who randomly moved Moffitt up to tier 1b? It was in tier 2b or something for the entire application cycle til now. I see you creeping there. Sneaky sneaky.

Edit: And now it's back to 2b on the active spreadsheet... For future generations, I agree with Robotneurologist please take this whole spreadsheet thing with a grain of salt. Lots of randomness in here from active applicants who don't know any more than you do (I'm talking to you current applicant). Great cancer centers don't necessarily make great teaching centers esp. if they're ranked highly because they're so laser focused on metrics and throughput that it precludes effective fellow teaching. So really please just remember that if you feel like an institution is a great "fit" for you, or if you jive with the culture there, that's probably the place you'll thrive best. So just rank it first and don't worry about any of this "tier list" nonsense. (Also to whoever moved Moffitt up to tier 1b: Moffitt is a fantastic program and if it's tier 1b in your heart, then I don't blame you at all 😉)
 
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I looked through the spreadsheet and now as a disgruntled (jk) 2nd year fellow, here's my 2 cents:

1) if you're aiming for community practice, the name of your fellowship doesn't matter. Regional connections matter far more (go to fellowship some place where you are likely to settle down). People hire regionally and from friend referrals.
2) if you're aiming for clinical trials, then the name of the fellowship matters in terms of access to nationally-known PIs. You should aim as high as possible (follow the tiers spreadsheet - I think it's actually a fairly accurate assessment of how things stand). More well-known PIs = better connections and projects.
3) an important caveat though of 2) is that if you know which field of heme/onc you're going into now, then rank programs based on how good they are in that field, not by "name prestige". An extreme case in point -- it's silly to go to MSKCC to do benign heme (!). This applies also to basic research (where you need labs(s) that are already working in areas that you are interested in) and more specialized research like outcomes or global health ("regional powerhouses" on that spreadsheet are better in these areas than MDA or DFCI). An easy way to figure this out is to sort ASCO and ASH abstracts in the last 1-3 years and see which institutions are active in the areas that you're interested in. This is a FAR better approach to sort programs for research strength in the area of research you're interested in than the (truly) meaningless USNWR rankings or even NCI CCC designation.
4) try to get a sense of how committed the PD is to education and how much you feel the fellows are learning. Note, learning -- not being scutted out on clinical service. A great fellowship is one that balances service, education, and research. It's really hard to get a sense of this while interviewing but if you ask the fellows skillfully you can figure this out.

All I'm trying to say is that the "tiers" spreadsheet is probably only good for the 50% who are gung-ho and going into serious academic research (and really mostly clinical trials or translational research). For the other 50%, there are far better metrics to rank programs by, but it's just those metrics aren't printed on a black-and-white piece of paper or on a webpage for easy perusal and you gotta do a bit more homework.

(disclosure: so you know where I'm coming from, I am aiming on staying in academics and currently working on a YIA with K funding hopefully by the first 2 years of faculty position)
 
Hey guys. I have a quick question. Do we get the Match/No Match email on Monday followed by which program email on Wed (for those who match)? Or everything happens on Wed, Dec 2?
 
SFarber said:
Hey guys. I have a quick question. Do we get the Match/No Match email on Monday followed by which program email on Wed (for those who match)? Or everything happens on Wed, Dec 2?
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Everything happens Dec 2
 
I was told email will have information where you matched, unlike residency match email that only said that u matched
 
Hey guys. Good luck everyone and just remember, regardless of how tomorrow goes, you're still a doctor, and you're still killin it in life, and irrespective of match results, you've got a bright and happy future ahead of you. Your worst case scenario is like... most peoples' best case scenario. Regardless of what happens you'll still have a job available to you somewhere and not everyone can say that in this climate.

Good luck and Godspeed
 
To be able to apply to post match spots , can we use the letters from the Eras or do we have to have them separately? Getting 😟
Good luck everyone
 
Good luck everyone!!! <3

We GOT this!

Thanks everyone for their support and advice
 
I don't know how I am going to concentrate in clinic tomorrow morning!
 
So happy it is finally over! Matched at my #2 in NYC and could not be happier, and I would have been happy at my top 6. I ranked 12 places, did not send any LOI, First choice email, Thank you notes, ect. I went to a lower ranked medical school in the US, was AOA, Step 1 &2 240+, top 15 residency program in IM, did not start doing any research until my second year of residency. Had 1 published paper and 1 pending acceptance w/edits, 3 abstracts, 2 posters (1 at ASCO), 1 oral presentation. Hope this helps some next year when wondering about stats. I hope everyone matched at their top choices!!
 
Top choice match, in New England! Pretty decent but not great on paper, markedly better in person, with good LORs and residency ties to the PD. Could not be happier! Congratulations everyone!
 
Finally, the nerve wrecking moment is over.
Matched at my #3 in Houston
I ranked 13 places. IMG, step 1 250s, step 2 260s, step 3 230s, community hospital, had closed to 40 publications (peer reviewed journal and abstract), actively working in GI/GU oncology research
Thank you for everyone for walking through the journey with me and I hope everyone matched to their top choice
 
My partner didn't match HemOnc. Does anyone know places that have Oncology hospitalists with in-house HemOnc fellowship program that strongly consider their hospitalists if they apply? Looking for mid-size or community-based places.
 
Interesting

Hematology and Oncology
Programs Filled 160 100.0%
Programs Unfilled 0 0.0%
Positions Filled 638 100.0%
Positions Unfilled 0 0.0%

Matched Applicants 638
U.S. Foreign 58 9.1%
MD Graduate 336 52.7%
Foreign 179 28.1%
DO Graduate 64 10.0%
Canadian 1 0.2%

Applicants Preferring this Specialty 877
Matched to this Specialty 632 72.1%
Matched to Different Specialty 26 3.0%
Did not Match to any Program 219 25.0%

 
Hi I am unlucky IMG , needs visa , not matched this cycle .Just had three research , one publication , graduating from a small community program this year ,average step scores ,I think nothing is in my favor but what can I do to improve my chances next year? Does working as a Hospitalist oncologist improve my chances. Inputs highly appreciated. Thank you
 
Hema2020 said:
Finally, the nerve wrecking moment is over.
Matched at my #3 in Houston
I ranked 13 places. IMG, step 1 250s, step 2 260s, step 3 230s, community hospital, had closed to 40 publications (peer reviewed journal and abstract), actively working in GI/GU oncology research
Thank you for everyone for walking through the journey with me and I hope everyone matched to their top choice
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Houston is fun, hope you like tacos and speeding through red lights. See you in clinic soon!
 
Bloodlikewine said:
Hi I am unlucky IMG , needs visa , not matched this cycle .Just had three research , one publication , graduating from a small community program this year ,average step scores ,I think nothing is in my favor but what can I do to improve my chances next year? Does working as a Hospitalist oncologist improve my chances. Inputs highly appreciated. Thank you
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Honestly if you are in your PGY 3 year and graduate next June, getting an oncology hospitalist job will have minimal benefit in my novice opinion. Not zero benefit, but most likely won't be a huge factor. I only say that because by the time you need to start getting applications ready next July, you will literally just have started working and probably will not have had much time to network or make a name for yourself. Now if you did that job and applied in 2 cycles from now and published multiple papers during that time, it would probably help you much more. Either way, if you want to match you need to get working on research NOW. But most importantly, do what makes you happiest.
 
Slowdive said:
Honestly if you are in your PGY 3 year and graduate next June, getting an oncology hospitalist job will have minimal benefit in my novice opinion. Not zero benefit, but most likely won't be a huge factor. I only say that because by the time you need to start getting applications ready next July, you will literally just have started working and probably will not have had much time to network or make a name for yourself. Now if you did that job and applied in 2 cycles from now and published multiple papers during that time, it would probably help you much more. Either way, if you want to match you need to get working on research NOW. But most importantly, do what makes you happiest.
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I have no experience with this BUT I could see if you worked as a Heme Onc hospitalist at maybe a less competitive program then you might could make some impression by the time rank lists are due. I do agree overall though minimal benefit if any outside of that specific situation.
 
Slowdive said:
Interesting

Hematology and Oncology
Programs Filled 160 100.0%
Programs Unfilled 0 0.0%
Positions Filled 638 100.0%
Positions Unfilled 0 0.0%

Matched Applicants 638
U.S. Foreign 58 9.1%
MD Graduate 336 52.7%
Foreign 179 28.1%
DO Graduate 64 10.0%
Canadian 1 0.2%

Applicants Preferring this Specialty 877
Matched to this Specialty 632 72.1%
Matched to Different Specialty 26 3.0%
Did not Match to any Program 219 25.0%

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Was the proportion of matched DO's that high during previous cycles?
 
gutonc said:
IIRC, in the last year or so, NRMP has adjusted the rules so that, as long as you have some sort of list up there when the clock runs out, you've got a list, certified or not.

But I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time today...or even the first time since dinner.
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@gutonc what should an incoming fellow do in order to "hit the ground running" in July? Recommended reading, basic knowledge to acquire etc would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
There’s nothing you can do. Just work on your IM boards. If you’ve already taken boards, enjoy the rest of your year and mentally prepare for the challenge of fellowship.
 
HemeOncHopeful19 said:
There’s nothing you can do. Just work on your IM boards. If you’ve already taken boards, enjoy the rest of your year and mentally prepare for the challenge of fellowship.
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We all know that is not going to happen🙂🙂🙂 . There has to be something one can do. People told me to relax before residency which I did but in retrospect, I should have done a few things. Not board kind of material but for example intern night floats stuff. Would have spared me a lot of unnecessary anxiety when nurses called during the first few months.

1. Are there quick references for common on call issues?
2. Is it worth mapping out hem/onc board material? What is the MKSAP equivalent (dry, high yield material) that the majority uses with good pass rate?


Any advice during the first months would be highly appreciated. I totally understand that likely nothing will affect your performance significantly but decreasing anxiety will improve life quality for sure 🙄🙄
 
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Publicius said:
@gutonc what should an incoming fellow do in order to "hit the ground running" in July? Recommended reading, basic knowledge to acquire etc would be appreciated. Thanks.
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I prepared by doing an ICU month, a CCU month, an ER month and a wards month.
 
SFarber said:
We all know that is not going to happen🙂🙂🙂 . There has to be something one can do. People told me to relax before residency which I did but in retrospect, I should have done a few things. Not board kind of material but for example intern night floats stuff. Would have spared me a lot of unnecessary anxiety when nurses called during the first few months.

1. Are there quick references for common on call issues?
2. Is it worth mapping out hem/onc board material? What is the MKSAP equivalent (dry, high yield material) that the majority uses with good pass rate?


Any advice during the first months would be highly appreciated. I totally understand that likely nothing will affect your performance significantly but decreasing anxiety will improve life quality for sure 🙄🙄
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1) If there are please let me know because I haven’t found it and I could sure use it like yesterday. I’ve heard maybe the “pocket Oncology” book but I’ve had a few versions of “pocket Medicine” used as paperweights throughout my training so I didn’t bother buying it this time around.

2) I don’t think there is a true MKSAP equivalent. ASH/ASCO review stuff is technically it but they just aren’t the same IMO. You just have to learn this stuff in so much more depth as a sub-specialist that I don’t feel like it lends itself to MKSAP style review unfortunately.

If you want to start reading NCCN guidelines when you’re on the toilet then by all means go for it. As a first year fellow who didn’t do much prep the only thing I actually look back and wish I did was learn Spanish because I’m in Texas.
 
The main thing to focus on for fellowship while still in residency would be to hone you outpatient internal medicine skills and work-ups(helps for boards as well). Supportive care is a big part of oncology and you will need a good IM foundation. Also you could make sure you have the classical heme stuff down(work up of anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombosis,splenomegaly, various cbc abnormalities, etc.)
 
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fellow here and I agree. Study for your IM boards so you can focus on learning when you get to fellowship. Shore up any weak points in your IM knowledge especially any weaknesses in heme onc topics an internist should know. Studying NCCN guidelines is going to be low yield compared to the above.
 
+1 prepping for boards and knowing the heme/onc portion of the ABIM inside and out. If you want to do something, knock yourself out with the ABIM Board Prep heme/onc book - there's like ~100 MCQs in the end of that book. Get a 100% on them.

At the end of the day, heme/onc is an IM subspecialty, and a good oncologist/hematologist is a good internist.

You can try to learn the difference between FOLFOX and FOLFIRINOX now but without the proper clinical context it's going to be meaningless once you start fellowship and honestly a waste of time to study now.

Not board kind of material but for example intern night floats stuff. Would have spared me a lot of unnecessary anxiety when nurses called during the first few months.
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I betcha even if you "studied" for how to be a good intern on night float, you only learned how to be one when those nurses paged you and you had to put your previous knowledge to the test. There's just no substitute for true clinical learning. Cue Osler's quote about sailing, going out to sea, and medicine. Look it up.
 
By far ABIM is a solid one to get done. Ok so seems that misery is unavoidable in the beginning so no point in being miserable now 🙄 .

Thanks everybody for the contribution. Keep opinions coming, please.
Are there recent recorded lectures floating among fellows? That would be great for audiovisual learners. I have heard Anderson has something. How can one purchase those?
 
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