👍 Rush
Two dates (similar to last year): April 12th and April 14th.
Two dates (similar to last year): April 12th and April 14th.
Heme/Onc Application 2009-2010
- Thread starter docjagermeister
- Start date
Is any one having the same predicament as I have:
The new requirement prior to RANKING and acceptance into UCLA is to submit PTAL from the Medical Board of California.
Risks : 1) time-consuming process with the possibility I may not get it in time 2) costs ~$450.
My concern: Is it worth wasting 450$ + usual 400-500$ interview cost... Else, I interview and then decide whether or not to waste on PTAL...(or) best decline the interview offer.
Any thoughts...I appreciate...
The new requirement prior to RANKING and acceptance into UCLA is to submit PTAL from the Medical Board of California.
Risks : 1) time-consuming process with the possibility I may not get it in time 2) costs ~$450.
My concern: Is it worth wasting 450$ + usual 400-500$ interview cost... Else, I interview and then decide whether or not to waste on PTAL...(or) best decline the interview offer.
Any thoughts...I appreciate...
Wow, seems like a huge gamble. Do the other Cali schools require this as well? If they dont, might not be worth it, depending on how highly you want to go there
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Hi everyone
I had my interview at Utah University yesterday,
very nice program, good mix of hematology and oncology. Seems like the hematology has been traditionally stronger. Some weakness include not enough exposure to diseases like thalasemia, sickle cell disease due to the patients population, mostly Caucasian,
overall very good program. Multiple opportunities for research, clinical and basic.
Good luck to you all out there
I had my interview at Utah University yesterday,
very nice program, good mix of hematology and oncology. Seems like the hematology has been traditionally stronger. Some weakness include not enough exposure to diseases like thalasemia, sickle cell disease due to the patients population, mostly Caucasian,
overall very good program. Multiple opportunities for research, clinical and basic.
Good luck to you all out there
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👍 Rush by phone. Dates as above. Will have to cancel though.
Also, OSU felt the need to send me another rejection letter yesterday, despite doing it 1 month ago. go figure. I hate the buckeyes 😛
Also, OSU felt the need to send me another rejection letter yesterday, despite doing it 1 month ago. go figure. I hate the buckeyes 😛
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VCU 👎
UTHSC San Antonio 👎
Tulane 👎
UTHSC San Antonio 👎
Tulane 👎
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Thank you, Tutu, Midwest MD and Zadetin. It helps quite a bit to read your
accounts of your interview experiences, thus far. Tutu, you're exhaustive accounts are especially appreciated 🙂
accounts of your interview experiences, thus far. Tutu, you're exhaustive accounts are especially appreciated 🙂
Tufts medical center
Tufts has a very good tradition. Its ex-chairman founded the first hem/onc
fellowship program in the whole nation and he was also a founder of the
magazine BLOOD. He also managed to place a lot of his trainees to different
hem/onc programs and later on they became head of these programs. In the
1970s and 1980s, it has a NCI designated comprehensive cancer center. And
the hematology and BMT parts were very strong. But then it lost its NCI
designation due to the weakness of the solid tumor research. And of course,
Dana Farbar, Brigham and Women hospital, Beth Isreal Deasoness Hospital all
became very strong. A lot of competitions for patients are going on among
them. So before I went to the interview, I already got warnings from two
people who I met during my previous interviews about the programs
disadvantages.
Tufts recruits 5 fellows each year, which is a large size comparing to its
number of faculties.
Interview started on 8:00am with a one-hour conference which was presented
by a third year fellow, followed by a brief introduction from program
director which was mainly about the conferences and the rotations. First
year is pure outpatient rotation; calls are one whole week every four weeks.
Second year, there is a 2-month BMT rotation, and one ½ day clinic
each week, and then all the rest of time is protected for research, third
year is protected time for research, only one ½ day continuity clinic
each week. In the clinic, fellows usually see their attendings patients,
so not 100% authority. And in the first year, fellows rotate through all
different subspecialties.
After the brief introduction, the one on one interview started. During the
interview, a lot of detailed questions were about my lab research. I was
sweating a lot trying to do the thesis defense. And one interviewer asked me
why I had only two papers during my PHD research. And she pointed out that
one of their fellows was so productive that he had had already 7 papers
published by the end of his third year. And she expected me to come to one
of the research lab in the beginning of my second year and would have as
many as papers if not more. She told me that it was a wrong place for
somebody who wanted to go to private practice after fellowship. She pushed a
lot towards basic research. The whole talking was very intimidating, and I
felt very embarrassed being questioned about my productivity during my phD.
I actually had 5-6 papers but she only counted two. And later on I met the
fellow she mentioned who had 7 papers, who is a very humble one, who told me
that all 7 papers were just case reports, and he has two peer review papers
which have not yet been published. And actually 3 out of 4 fellows who
graduated last year went to private practice. So I felt a little bit
relieved. But still, all the interviewers emphasized a lot on basic research
, leaving little space for clinical research. By talking to the fellows, I
got to know, the program didnt have phase one trial before, and they just
hired one professor who does phase one. They have good labs for basic
research in hematology and signaling transduction on head and neck(nasal
pharyngeal cancer).
Some fellows are happy while some are not, especially those who want to do
more about clinics. Its very hard to stay on faculties for the fellows
because its very competitive in Boston area. But there are some successful
ones who managed to get K or T grants during their fellowship. But then
these people spend little time in the patient care, they usually stay in
labs dealing with mice and rats.
Boston is big city with a lot of things going on as everybody knows. Tufts
locates in the China town, so there is no cafeteria in the hospital,
everybody go to China town to have lunch.
So thats it. It was not a very pleasant interview for me. I didnt
interview with program director. The fellow told me she was a very nice lady
who seemed to be intimidating, but thats just the way she was.
Tufts has a very good tradition. Its ex-chairman founded the first hem/onc
fellowship program in the whole nation and he was also a founder of the
magazine BLOOD. He also managed to place a lot of his trainees to different
hem/onc programs and later on they became head of these programs. In the
1970s and 1980s, it has a NCI designated comprehensive cancer center. And
the hematology and BMT parts were very strong. But then it lost its NCI
designation due to the weakness of the solid tumor research. And of course,
Dana Farbar, Brigham and Women hospital, Beth Isreal Deasoness Hospital all
became very strong. A lot of competitions for patients are going on among
them. So before I went to the interview, I already got warnings from two
people who I met during my previous interviews about the programs
disadvantages.
Tufts recruits 5 fellows each year, which is a large size comparing to its
number of faculties.
Interview started on 8:00am with a one-hour conference which was presented
by a third year fellow, followed by a brief introduction from program
director which was mainly about the conferences and the rotations. First
year is pure outpatient rotation; calls are one whole week every four weeks.
Second year, there is a 2-month BMT rotation, and one ½ day clinic
each week, and then all the rest of time is protected for research, third
year is protected time for research, only one ½ day continuity clinic
each week. In the clinic, fellows usually see their attendings patients,
so not 100% authority. And in the first year, fellows rotate through all
different subspecialties.
After the brief introduction, the one on one interview started. During the
interview, a lot of detailed questions were about my lab research. I was
sweating a lot trying to do the thesis defense. And one interviewer asked me
why I had only two papers during my PHD research. And she pointed out that
one of their fellows was so productive that he had had already 7 papers
published by the end of his third year. And she expected me to come to one
of the research lab in the beginning of my second year and would have as
many as papers if not more. She told me that it was a wrong place for
somebody who wanted to go to private practice after fellowship. She pushed a
lot towards basic research. The whole talking was very intimidating, and I
felt very embarrassed being questioned about my productivity during my phD.
I actually had 5-6 papers but she only counted two. And later on I met the
fellow she mentioned who had 7 papers, who is a very humble one, who told me
that all 7 papers were just case reports, and he has two peer review papers
which have not yet been published. And actually 3 out of 4 fellows who
graduated last year went to private practice. So I felt a little bit
relieved. But still, all the interviewers emphasized a lot on basic research
, leaving little space for clinical research. By talking to the fellows, I
got to know, the program didnt have phase one trial before, and they just
hired one professor who does phase one. They have good labs for basic
research in hematology and signaling transduction on head and neck(nasal
pharyngeal cancer).
Some fellows are happy while some are not, especially those who want to do
more about clinics. Its very hard to stay on faculties for the fellows
because its very competitive in Boston area. But there are some successful
ones who managed to get K or T grants during their fellowship. But then
these people spend little time in the patient care, they usually stay in
labs dealing with mice and rats.
Boston is big city with a lot of things going on as everybody knows. Tufts
locates in the China town, so there is no cafeteria in the hospital,
everybody go to China town to have lunch.
So thats it. It was not a very pleasant interview for me. I didnt
interview with program director. The fellow told me she was a very nice lady
who seemed to be intimidating, but thats just the way she was.
Westchester medical center
This is a university hospital affiliated to NY medical college. Locates in
westchester county, north to Bronx. It's a tertiary hospital. The number of
positions of each year is different. But the total number of 3 year is
always 8. For 2011, there are 4 positions. One position is kept for internal
candidate from Richmond Staten island hospital. There are three positions
left, but most likely one is kept for internal candidate from metropolitan
hospital, two may be kept for internal candidates from westchester medical
center. So the program usually only interview a dozen of candidates from
outside. The program is totally clinical oriented, fit for whoever wants to
do private practice. Very solid clinical training. Each year fellows rotate
in three hospitals: Westchester medical center, outlook hospital in New
Jersy, metropolitan hospital. One month of vacation, one month of elective,
one month of research(chart review kind of things, and residents will help
with the research). In westchester medical center, the rotation is all in
inpatient floor, fellows will round with attendings, write notes and order
chemo, all handwritten. In the other two hospitals, fellows have outpatient
exposure. On call one whole week every 8 weeks. Residents do all the
admissions, fellows only deal with acute leukemia or TTP kind of things.
Work load is high, but fellows usually work from 8am to 5 pm when not on
call.
Interview was very casual. Program directors were very nice and honest.
Asked me about my research,asked me to present some interesting onc or hem
cases, told me it's not a good place for bench workers but very good for
clinicians.Talked a little bit about some hospitals in NY which will close
down, and what would happen to their residents and fellows, talked about
some health reform, talked about some news, etc. Then the program directors
wrote their comment on me right after the interview.
As many of other programs in NYC, it's very hard to get into the program
because they usually take only internal candidates.
Westchester county is a good place, but very expensive. The salary from this
programis very high for each fellow,$ 64000 for first year fellow.
This is a university hospital affiliated to NY medical college. Locates in
westchester county, north to Bronx. It's a tertiary hospital. The number of
positions of each year is different. But the total number of 3 year is
always 8. For 2011, there are 4 positions. One position is kept for internal
candidate from Richmond Staten island hospital. There are three positions
left, but most likely one is kept for internal candidate from metropolitan
hospital, two may be kept for internal candidates from westchester medical
center. So the program usually only interview a dozen of candidates from
outside. The program is totally clinical oriented, fit for whoever wants to
do private practice. Very solid clinical training. Each year fellows rotate
in three hospitals: Westchester medical center, outlook hospital in New
Jersy, metropolitan hospital. One month of vacation, one month of elective,
one month of research(chart review kind of things, and residents will help
with the research). In westchester medical center, the rotation is all in
inpatient floor, fellows will round with attendings, write notes and order
chemo, all handwritten. In the other two hospitals, fellows have outpatient
exposure. On call one whole week every 8 weeks. Residents do all the
admissions, fellows only deal with acute leukemia or TTP kind of things.
Work load is high, but fellows usually work from 8am to 5 pm when not on
call.
Interview was very casual. Program directors were very nice and honest.
Asked me about my research,asked me to present some interesting onc or hem
cases, told me it's not a good place for bench workers but very good for
clinicians.Talked a little bit about some hospitals in NY which will close
down, and what would happen to their residents and fellows, talked about
some health reform, talked about some news, etc. Then the program directors
wrote their comment on me right after the interview.
As many of other programs in NYC, it's very hard to get into the program
because they usually take only internal candidates.
Westchester county is a good place, but very expensive. The salary from this
programis very high for each fellow,$ 64000 for first year fellow.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2009
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from UCLA and Hopkins this week.
That's it, I'm done waiting. So far, invitations from UCLA, Hopkins, Penn, MSKCC, MDACC, DFCI, Stanford, UCSF, Fred Hutch, BIDMC. Rejections from UCSD and Mayo.
Will share some of my interview experiences so far in later posts in case they might be helpful for some of you.
That's it, I'm done waiting. So far, invitations from UCLA, Hopkins, Penn, MSKCC, MDACC, DFCI, Stanford, UCSF, Fred Hutch, BIDMC. Rejections from UCSD and Mayo.
Will share some of my interview experiences so far in later posts in case they might be helpful for some of you.
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Overall impression: UCSF is a fantastic program with great basic science research but a consult-heavy first year causing some unhappiness among the fellows.
I arrived in SF late after a cross-country flight so missed the dinner with the fellows. The day was very well organized, and the administrative staff, the fellowship director, and the division chief were also extremely nice and welcoming. The morning started with a short talk from the division chief, who is a reknown basic scientist, who mentioned the rapid growth of the program, manifested by recent and ongoing infrastructure investment. UCSF is perhaps the leading cancer center in the West Coast, and the division is growing to try to meet huge demands. The fellowship director talked next about the three-year curriculum.
All my interviewers were super nice, and no difficult question was asked. I greatly appreciated the program trying to have me talk to interviewers who shared my interests, even those who are not oncologists! The interviews were spread out to the various campuses: UCSF Parnassus where the view on the 11th floor is unbeatable with the Golden Gate straight ahead, the Pacific Ocean glistening in the sun on the left, and the calm Bay on the right; the VA located by the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge; and the relatively new, beautifully decorated Mt. Zion campus. I didn't have a chance to go to SF General, where the fellows also rotate.
I met with various fellows throughout the day, some of whom were my residency buddies or med school friends. They were all great and most were laid back, reflecting well on the program. However, they did complain of the excessive number of inpatient consult months at various campuses: 10 months out of the first year!!! This amount of scut work was unheard off at other places that I interviewed. But given the pending ACGME requirements for more ambulatory time, the program is actively working to change that, so by the time we become fellows, I'm very sure the schedule will be very different.
Overall, UCSF is a kick-ass program in one of the most beautiful cities on earth with excellent, responsive, kind leadership. It doesn't have the same kind of intensity and seriousness that I witness at other places, but perhaps all West Coast programs are like that. (I was a bit surprised to see so many male physicians, especially housestaff, not wearing ties. I thought my East Coast program is laid back, but compared to West Coast ones, we're probably considered too rigid. 🙂)
I arrived in SF late after a cross-country flight so missed the dinner with the fellows. The day was very well organized, and the administrative staff, the fellowship director, and the division chief were also extremely nice and welcoming. The morning started with a short talk from the division chief, who is a reknown basic scientist, who mentioned the rapid growth of the program, manifested by recent and ongoing infrastructure investment. UCSF is perhaps the leading cancer center in the West Coast, and the division is growing to try to meet huge demands. The fellowship director talked next about the three-year curriculum.
All my interviewers were super nice, and no difficult question was asked. I greatly appreciated the program trying to have me talk to interviewers who shared my interests, even those who are not oncologists! The interviews were spread out to the various campuses: UCSF Parnassus where the view on the 11th floor is unbeatable with the Golden Gate straight ahead, the Pacific Ocean glistening in the sun on the left, and the calm Bay on the right; the VA located by the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge; and the relatively new, beautifully decorated Mt. Zion campus. I didn't have a chance to go to SF General, where the fellows also rotate.
I met with various fellows throughout the day, some of whom were my residency buddies or med school friends. They were all great and most were laid back, reflecting well on the program. However, they did complain of the excessive number of inpatient consult months at various campuses: 10 months out of the first year!!! This amount of scut work was unheard off at other places that I interviewed. But given the pending ACGME requirements for more ambulatory time, the program is actively working to change that, so by the time we become fellows, I'm very sure the schedule will be very different.
Overall, UCSF is a kick-ass program in one of the most beautiful cities on earth with excellent, responsive, kind leadership. It doesn't have the same kind of intensity and seriousness that I witness at other places, but perhaps all West Coast programs are like that. (I was a bit surprised to see so many male physicians, especially housestaff, not wearing ties. I thought my East Coast program is laid back, but compared to West Coast ones, we're probably considered too rigid. 🙂)
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Overall impression: a wonderful program with three great and storied medical institutions within what is perhaps the best university on earth. (Disclaimer: I'm very biased here. 🙂)
The few applicants reported to duty on the beautiful outpatient floor within the Yawkey center next door to Man's Greatest Hospital. The fellowship director at MGH--DFCI has two fellowship directors: one at MGH and one at DFCI/Brigham--met us in the fellows' work group, talking informally for a few minutes about the strengths and weaknesses (what weaknesses? I was thinking) of the program. All first-year fellows spend 6 months at MGH and 6 months at Dana-Farber, having the benefits of a community-hospital-like oncology clinic with undiagnosed cases at MGH (first time I've heard of MGH being compared to a community hospital) and of seeing crazily complicated, already-diagnosed cases on third- or fourth-line regimens at the Dana Farber; hence, great exposure all around. It seems hard to have any true year-long continuity of care, though. But I don't think any fellow or applicant cares much about this.
After a few laid-back interviews at MGH, we moved across town to the Longwood Area, one of the most amazing medical complexes in the world, containing the House of God, Brigham, Dana Farber, Children's Hospital, Joslin clinic, a few pharmaceutical companies, and that little-known med school called HMS. (In term of physical size though, it was nothing like Texas Medical Center which completely blew me away.) Most of us interviewed with faculty within the Dana Farber building, next door to the Brigham where the inpatient services are. Around the corner, a brand-new multi-storied glass building is being built, scheduled to open to receive cancer outpatients in 2011. (That seems to be the theme around Boston with Harvard, being the largest landowner in the city, constructing new buildings left and right. A few billions lost during the recession have slowed them down a bit.)
We then attended lunch conference, where two fellows gave talks that were basically literature review on a particular cancer. Very well done talks. Afterwards, we met with the DFCI fellowship director, who, unlike the laid-back younger MGH director, is a bit more serious, nice but not too generous with smiles, a kind of more traditional physicians. He informed us that the second- and third- years of the fellowship are just for research with minimal clinical responsibilities. Really, really good schedule. And the resources for research at Harvard are of course plenty whether one wants to do basic science research or public health or health economics. And that vocational school across the river also has plenty of good labs for research.
Given the high interest in heme-onc within the three Harvard internal medicine residency programs, DFCI tends to take lots of Harvard applicants, leaving very few spots for outsiders. There are about 25 Harvard applicants this year, from MGH, BIDMC, and BWH, most of whom are really strong candidates. Tough for all involved.
Overall, DFCI is not a bad program.
(Don't take my words literally.)
The few applicants reported to duty on the beautiful outpatient floor within the Yawkey center next door to Man's Greatest Hospital. The fellowship director at MGH--DFCI has two fellowship directors: one at MGH and one at DFCI/Brigham--met us in the fellows' work group, talking informally for a few minutes about the strengths and weaknesses (what weaknesses? I was thinking) of the program. All first-year fellows spend 6 months at MGH and 6 months at Dana-Farber, having the benefits of a community-hospital-like oncology clinic with undiagnosed cases at MGH (first time I've heard of MGH being compared to a community hospital) and of seeing crazily complicated, already-diagnosed cases on third- or fourth-line regimens at the Dana Farber; hence, great exposure all around. It seems hard to have any true year-long continuity of care, though. But I don't think any fellow or applicant cares much about this.
After a few laid-back interviews at MGH, we moved across town to the Longwood Area, one of the most amazing medical complexes in the world, containing the House of God, Brigham, Dana Farber, Children's Hospital, Joslin clinic, a few pharmaceutical companies, and that little-known med school called HMS. (In term of physical size though, it was nothing like Texas Medical Center which completely blew me away.) Most of us interviewed with faculty within the Dana Farber building, next door to the Brigham where the inpatient services are. Around the corner, a brand-new multi-storied glass building is being built, scheduled to open to receive cancer outpatients in 2011. (That seems to be the theme around Boston with Harvard, being the largest landowner in the city, constructing new buildings left and right. A few billions lost during the recession have slowed them down a bit.)
We then attended lunch conference, where two fellows gave talks that were basically literature review on a particular cancer. Very well done talks. Afterwards, we met with the DFCI fellowship director, who, unlike the laid-back younger MGH director, is a bit more serious, nice but not too generous with smiles, a kind of more traditional physicians. He informed us that the second- and third- years of the fellowship are just for research with minimal clinical responsibilities. Really, really good schedule. And the resources for research at Harvard are of course plenty whether one wants to do basic science research or public health or health economics. And that vocational school across the river also has plenty of good labs for research.
Given the high interest in heme-onc within the three Harvard internal medicine residency programs, DFCI tends to take lots of Harvard applicants, leaving very few spots for outsiders. There are about 25 Harvard applicants this year, from MGH, BIDMC, and BWH, most of whom are really strong candidates. Tough for all involved.
Overall, DFCI is not a bad program.
(Don't take my words literally.)
I think it is safe to say now the chances for new interviews have really become slim. Unless someone makes a last minute phone call for you or you get lucky in some way, it is time to sit and count your cards. Good luck to everyone and I hope we all match in the places that would work the best for us.
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not true - just got Ohio St IV yesterday... suspect I will get one or two more... dont lose hope as I know there are programs that havent even sent their first round of invites. Good luck!
- Joined
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# of available spots: 6 (although they only matched 5 out of 6 for the last 2 years)
# of applicants on IV day: can't remember. They interviewed a total of 50 applicants out of ~350 applications though. Also provided a dinner the night before at an attending's house w/ excellent turnout by the h/o dept.
Research opportunities: NCI designated comprehensive cancer center. 2 SPORE programs (including prostate ca). Excellent NIH funding. Fellows w/ a number of publications in both basic science and clinical research. Provides decent mentorship opportunities, may be dependent on assertiveness of fellows in finding one as well. Provides funds for attendance of 1 conference per year, regardless of whether or not the fellow is presenting. Provides a Master's course in Clinical Research.
Facilities: Fellows rotate at the main university hospital and the VA down the street (<0.5 mi). Both are average facilities. Nothing too impresive but not run down either. The EMR is wonderful though. All outpt and inpt notes, appts, labs, and radiology records are on one system and accessible from home. Also has CPOE (working on making chemo orders electronic as well).
PD: Dr. Francis Worden. 1st yr as PD here, although he has been on faculty for sometime. Appears very enthusiastic about the program and desires to make a lot of changes to help it grow further. Just established a new chief fellow position in response to prior issues. Will be interesting to see what direction he'll lead the program.
Training: Like most programs, front loaded to provide protected time during 2nd and 3rd yrs (which the PD is very serious about). Call is similar to other programs w/ infrequent need to come in to actually see a pt overnight. Fellows appear well trained clinically w/ a wide exposure to various disease processes. Presence of strong residency programs make the fellow's job easier on floors as well. Seems like there might be issues w/ being able to find a mentor unless you're proactive (see above). A lot of big names in various fields, but not sure how interested they are in taking on new fellows.
Location: I love Ann Arbor. Great college town near major metropolitan area. Lots to do for everyone (cultural, sports, outdoor activities).
Overall Impression: Solid program that would provide great clinical training. Supportive and friendly PD but new to the role. Unsure how easy it is to find a mentor. Ann Arbor isn't for everyone but is a great little town. Personally, I would be happy to match here but not sure it's at the top of my list.
Would be very interested to see what others thought.
# of applicants on IV day: can't remember. They interviewed a total of 50 applicants out of ~350 applications though. Also provided a dinner the night before at an attending's house w/ excellent turnout by the h/o dept.
Research opportunities: NCI designated comprehensive cancer center. 2 SPORE programs (including prostate ca). Excellent NIH funding. Fellows w/ a number of publications in both basic science and clinical research. Provides decent mentorship opportunities, may be dependent on assertiveness of fellows in finding one as well. Provides funds for attendance of 1 conference per year, regardless of whether or not the fellow is presenting. Provides a Master's course in Clinical Research.
Facilities: Fellows rotate at the main university hospital and the VA down the street (<0.5 mi). Both are average facilities. Nothing too impresive but not run down either. The EMR is wonderful though. All outpt and inpt notes, appts, labs, and radiology records are on one system and accessible from home. Also has CPOE (working on making chemo orders electronic as well).
PD: Dr. Francis Worden. 1st yr as PD here, although he has been on faculty for sometime. Appears very enthusiastic about the program and desires to make a lot of changes to help it grow further. Just established a new chief fellow position in response to prior issues. Will be interesting to see what direction he'll lead the program.
Training: Like most programs, front loaded to provide protected time during 2nd and 3rd yrs (which the PD is very serious about). Call is similar to other programs w/ infrequent need to come in to actually see a pt overnight. Fellows appear well trained clinically w/ a wide exposure to various disease processes. Presence of strong residency programs make the fellow's job easier on floors as well. Seems like there might be issues w/ being able to find a mentor unless you're proactive (see above). A lot of big names in various fields, but not sure how interested they are in taking on new fellows.
Location: I love Ann Arbor. Great college town near major metropolitan area. Lots to do for everyone (cultural, sports, outdoor activities).
Overall Impression: Solid program that would provide great clinical training. Supportive and friendly PD but new to the role. Unsure how easy it is to find a mentor. Ann Arbor isn't for everyone but is a great little town. Personally, I would be happy to match here but not sure it's at the top of my list.
Would be very interested to see what others thought.
Hi, good luck to everyone. Have a couple of questions some of you might be able to advise on. I am an IMG who has done my internal med residency training in my home country and will have completed my med onc training in my home country by 2011. Most attending med oncs (we don't do a joint heme/onc program) in my country have followed on with a heme/onc fellowship in US with a strong research focus then returned home after a few years, there are therefore strong links with a few well known cancer centers in the US and up till recently we have arranged direct fellowships outside of match. Mainly through these links I have interviews at some v good centers over next couple of months. I am one of the first fellows from my country directly going through the match along with my wife who is applying to a less competitive specialty. I have a few q's and would really appreciate any guidance you could offer
1. We applied as a couple, does that mean if both of us do not match to the same institution we will not get any offers or can it be different institutions in the same city/geographic area?
Can you decouple from match ie get offered positions in diff cities after saying you were a couple, sounds odd but see 2 below
2. My home country has a fellowship program arrangement with a major cancer center where we bring our own funding however it is not awarded till late this year for a 2011 start. If I accept a match position and later
receive this funded fellowship from home and withdraw from the matched
position what are the implications? This scenario would be relevant if my
wife matched in the city where this funded fellowship is and I had matched elsewhere.
Thanks for taking time to read hope it makes some sense,
1. We applied as a couple, does that mean if both of us do not match to the same institution we will not get any offers or can it be different institutions in the same city/geographic area?
Can you decouple from match ie get offered positions in diff cities after saying you were a couple, sounds odd but see 2 below
2. My home country has a fellowship program arrangement with a major cancer center where we bring our own funding however it is not awarded till late this year for a 2011 start. If I accept a match position and later
receive this funded fellowship from home and withdraw from the matched
position what are the implications? This scenario would be relevant if my
wife matched in the city where this funded fellowship is and I had matched elsewhere.
Thanks for taking time to read hope it makes some sense,
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really? which programs, out of curiosity?
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Dear Applicant,
We would like to thank you for your interest in our Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
With so many qualified applicants, we had a hard decision to make. We have invited the first round of applicants for interview. Your application is currently on hold should we schedule additional interviews. Those who were not selected have been sent rejection letters.
Hematology/Oncology is a rewarding subspecialty, and in the event we do not have a second round of interviews, we wish you well in your medical career.
Sincerely,
Grace Makari-Judson, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program Director, Baystate Medical Center/TUSM Program Medical Director, The Comprehensive Breast Center Baystate Regional Cancer Program
Seems like almost all of first batch interviews are out,
The ones that we are not hearing from are either ON HOLD or rejected !
We would like to thank you for your interest in our Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
With so many qualified applicants, we had a hard decision to make. We have invited the first round of applicants for interview. Your application is currently on hold should we schedule additional interviews. Those who were not selected have been sent rejection letters.
Hematology/Oncology is a rewarding subspecialty, and in the event we do not have a second round of interviews, we wish you well in your medical career.
Sincerely,
Grace Makari-Judson, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Tufts University School of Medicine
Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program Director, Baystate Medical Center/TUSM Program Medical Director, The Comprehensive Breast Center Baystate Regional Cancer Program
Seems like almost all of first batch interviews are out,
The ones that we are not hearing from are either ON HOLD or rejected !
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I am still waiting on dartmouth, uab, and mt sinai, and havent seen anyone post responses here about those programs (other than that we know dartmouth is notoriously late).
The theme from years past is the hysteria sets in mid to end of february, but then plenty of ppl still get IV's after that... I think that will hold true this year...
No need to get your hopes up, but no need to give up on that cherished program you havent heard from (and no, I am not calling programs at this point either)...hang in there guys!
The theme from years past is the hysteria sets in mid to end of february, but then plenty of ppl still get IV's after that... I think that will hold true this year...
No need to get your hopes up, but no need to give up on that cherished program you havent heard from (and no, I am not calling programs at this point either)...hang in there guys!
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Hi guys, do u know the minimum number of interviews we should go to to ensure a match?
Had gotten an IV from UAB in the 2nd week of Feb
#1 You have options of "mixing and matching" programs on your match list. For instance:
Rank # YOUR Choice Your Wife's Choice
1 ........MD Anderson.... MD Anderson
2 ........MD Anderson ....Baylor
3 ........MD Anderson ....No match
It's the 3rd option (no match) that essentially "decouples" you.
#2 The match is only intended for just that, matching. If you match at a program, matriculate there, and then decide to go elsewhere it should not affect your wife's training position.
Hope this clarifies things for you.
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No personal experience w/ hotels (stayed w/ a friend in Manhattan), but the confirmation email from MSKCC recommended the following hotels:
Helmsley Medical Tower 212-472-3690
Lyden Gardens 212-465-3690
The Bentley 800-346-8357
You can also save money by taking a supershuttle or "go airlink."
http://www.goairlinkshuttle.com/
Only $30 w/out tip for a roundtrip w/ door to door service if traveling from Laguardia. ~40min ride depending on time of day. Cost of taxi is ~$30-40 one way.
Let me know if you have any other ?'s
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How focused was your sloan interview on research? Do you think they are more interested in clinical research over basic science?
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Guess it's never too early to prepare, huh scaredshizzles? I would say that MSKCC might slightly favor basic science research, but it didn't appear to me that clinical research experience was a disadvantage at all. They provide amazing training and opportunities in both, so I wouldn't worry about which you choose. Do what you like and the rest will follow.
@ tutu: tufts had 2 unmatched positions last year. I am not surprised other people had experience similar to yours!
I interviewed at mayo, rochester. I was the first one to go for th PANEL interview that day. but the whole faculty was extremely nice and made me feel very comfortable.
any one: interview experience at st elizabeth in boston. I think they went unmatched last year. any insight as to if it is worth paying a visit?
I interviewed at mayo, rochester. I was the first one to go for th PANEL interview that day. but the whole faculty was extremely nice and made me feel very comfortable.
any one: interview experience at st elizabeth in boston. I think they went unmatched last year. any insight as to if it is worth paying a visit?
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👍 OHSU. Anybody know anything about this program? Mainly applied because I like Portland. Specifically, how does it compare to Vandy, UMich, Duke, or WashU? Kinda expensive to fly out so I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it out there...thoughts?
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We are a smaller program that all of those programs. Also in a "re-building" phase as we have had our new Division Chief (previously at Vandy) for <1 year. In the process of doubling our clinical solid tumor faculty size and filling in some clinical gaps (melanoma, head & neck and neuro-onc) with new faculty recruits. Also looking to expand Phase 1/2 clinical trials and have an application out to open a dedicated CTU.
We have a big heme malignancy program and do ~250 transplants a year (4 new faculty there over the last 2y). We see people referred in from all over the state, SW Washington, Northern Cal and Idaho.
We also have what I think is the best continuity clinic experience I've seen. During the first 2 years (can extend it to the 3rd if you wish), you have a weekly VA clinic where you are primary on all the patients. There is a staff to discuss patients with but they are yours and you make all the treatment decisions. Scary at first but really makes you step up your game early in the first year.
Research-wise, our Cancer Institute (headed by Brian Druker, the "Gleevec Guy") just got $100M so they're also in the process of hiring a bunch of new research faculty.
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Thanks gutonc, really helpful information. I was hoping you would chime in 😉 Sounds like an up and coming program. Any thoughts as to the other programs I listed?
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I didn't comment on them because I didn't interview at any of them. Reputation-wise, we're not Mich, Duke or WU, period. Similar to Vandy IMHO. I would say that, depending on what you're looking for, this may or may not be a great place for you. I think we have strong, hands-on clinical experience with a great atmosphere and it's a nice place to train/practice medicine. If you're looking to score a Nature paper after 18 mos of research as a fellow, this may not be the place (or it may...who knows). Historically, we've been more clinically oriented but 4 out of the 7 current 2nd and 3rd year fellows are research pathway so we're mixing it up a bit.
Honestly, fellow and faculty recruitment has been tough the last couple of years because of the lack of division chief and a clear mission. That has changed and I think in the next 2-5 years there are going to be some massive, good changes here.
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Again, your comments and frankness are greatly appreciated gutonc. I would still love to check the program out for myself but am afraid financial and time constraints may make that quite difficult. Don't want to waste an IV spot for someone else though just to satisfy my curiosity....we'll see 😳
Really? I tought it was only me that felt bad after interviewing with Tufts, and this is the only interview that I felt so bad about afterwards. How do you know there were unmatched positions last year? Is there any way to check? Any if some programs had unfilled position, what did they do with the positions?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Is pre-match offers a common practice in fellowships? If so, is it appropriate to ask at the time of interview or in thank you responses?
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I may be mistaken, but I thought pre-match arrangements were illegal for programs participating in ERAS. I would not broach the subject unless they approach you first.
Having said that, I know of 2 instances (personal experience and a friend's experience) where programs have offered a spot prior to the match for THAT summer (1 yr early) to applicants who are 3rd yr residents or have no formal commitments for the following year (ie- offer to start in July 2010 instead of 2011). I think this usually happens when a previously matched fellow from the last application cycle is no longer able to matriculate there or the program was able to obtain funding for one more spot and needs to fill it. In both cases, the programs contacted us prior to the submission of the rank list (not at the interview day).
Hope that helps.
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Pre-match is fine. A fellowship program has to give 75% of their slots over a certain # of years (I don't remember if it's 4 or 5) in the Match. What they choose to do with the rest is up to them. They can also not list spots in the Match and offer those outside the Match.
That said, it's not that common except to internal candidates so I think you'd be best off avoiding it unless you're a superstar candidate.
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it is warming up again, but 😡 all rejections
replys over the last 2 days:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center‏
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Camden
Loyola
Texas A&M HSC-COM/Scott & White Memorial Hospital
Cleveland Clinic‏
University of Rochester
I hate this e mails from [email protected] , they are alwayes rejections
replys over the last 2 days:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center‏
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School-Camden
Loyola
Texas A&M HSC-COM/Scott & White Memorial Hospital
Cleveland Clinic‏
University of Rochester
I hate this e mails from [email protected] , they are alwayes rejections
unmatched applicants can look up on nrmp website for all the med fellowships. seniors applying for cardiology are usually the best source 😉
I think they interview the unmatched applicants to fill their unmatched positions.
pls share ur interview experience when u r done. I am going there next week!
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Anybody been to Duke yet? Any thoughts about their program/reputation nationally? Seems like the vast majority of their fellows are from Duke....which is always a double-edged sword.
about duke,
http://fellowships.medicine.duke.edu/modules/fellows_hemo/index.php?id=3
this link was kind of hidden in the website. appears the minority of current fellows trained at duke.
hard to gauge national reputation from my visit. the fellows who stay in academics seem to stay at duke....one recent fellow now instructor at dfci (although tenure track at dfci seems like academic suicide)
http://fellowships.medicine.duke.edu/modules/fellows_hemo/index.php?id=3
this link was kind of hidden in the website. appears the minority of current fellows trained at duke.
hard to gauge national reputation from my visit. the fellows who stay in academics seem to stay at duke....one recent fellow now instructor at dfci (although tenure track at dfci seems like academic suicide)
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Thanks for the link. I think I came across it a while ago but for some reason thought it was more scewed at that time.
