Hi everyone. How competitive is getting a general surgical pathology fellowship at a top institution, no geographic location in specific, lets say MGH, Yale, Michigan, Mayo, etc. Thank you.
How competitive is to get a General Surgical Pathology Fellowship?
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Competitive. These programs look for strong applicants (strong surgical path knowledge base and diagnostic skills) of course. I looked at the application requirements for Mayo and boy, do they want EVERYTHING!
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It isn't as competitive as you think. Many strong applicants apply for GI, derm, hemepath etc. A surg path fellowship at a big place is very attainable. My CV is ok (USCAP presentations, 1 first name pub). I was a decent resident (worked hard, read about cases, interested) but not great and I got in. I think they look for people who show that they like pathology, are able to learn on their own and can handle responsibility. You should definitely apply. You will probably get in and it opens lots of doors for you in terms of getting a job.
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Well that is good to hear. Yes, I am interested in a surg path spot at a place that can hopefully land me a good job in an area Id like to live in. I'd like to follow it with a subspec but we'll see how that goes. Thanks for the info.
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You should absolutely apply, and do it now because they are interviewing. I was just a slightly above average Joe. My attendings scoffed when I told them I applied at the places I applied but I got interviews at most of them. I followed it with a second fellowship that I was able to score because I got into the surg path fellowship. Honestly after the surg path fellowship you will be ready to be on your own. Some (definitely not all) practices won't take someone if they did not do surg path first. The surg path fellowship really shows you how to wrap up the case and make reports that make sense. You won't regret it.
Also, it opened up job opportunities that would have never been possible, in locations that were previously unattainable. I am now losing sleep at night over which job to take, because I have multiple offers. I too was worried about the job market but there are good opportunities out there, especially if you have connections to a big name, big place.
I have to reiterate that I I dont feel that I was anything special in residency. I continued to work hard and show a willingness to learn and accept criticism and it paid off. I think these big SP fellowships are like really hot supermodels. People are afraid to ask them out, but everyone needs someone, especially if you treat them well, right? Aim high and go for one of these fellowships, because you never know what you will get! Please feel free to PM me if you want more detailed info.
Also, it opened up job opportunities that would have never been possible, in locations that were previously unattainable. I am now losing sleep at night over which job to take, because I have multiple offers. I too was worried about the job market but there are good opportunities out there, especially if you have connections to a big name, big place.
I have to reiterate that I I dont feel that I was anything special in residency. I continued to work hard and show a willingness to learn and accept criticism and it paid off. I think these big SP fellowships are like really hot supermodels. People are afraid to ask them out, but everyone needs someone, especially if you treat them well, right? Aim high and go for one of these fellowships, because you never know what you will get! Please feel free to PM me if you want more detailed info.
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This merits highlighting. IMO certain programs self-select by reputation alone, valid or not, because a certain subset of potential applicants come to see them as beyond their reach academically, or even intimidating. Medical school and residency tends to break some people's backs, when many thought the world revolved around them academically through high school and college. Gut check. You still have to go get if you want to have at the end of the day.
Besides, face it, how do fellowships separate resident applicants? RISE really isn't useful, nor used, with possible rare questionable exception. You know pretty much how you stack up against other residents in your program, but how does a fellowship program know? You think your program director is gonna rat you out as "average" when they'd love all their residents to land great fellowship positions? Really, unless you're dangerously below average you've probably got as good a chance of success as any other top resident, at which point everything becomes a matter of personality fit. (Although to combat this a few fellow programs now employ an interview day quiz.)
"A 10 can get three negs up front, while an 8 gets only one or two over a longer time."
--Erik von Markovik http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_(pickup_artist)
Couldn't help myself. Don't glorify vapid supermodels. Marry a real woman.You might get a fancy diploma from one of these places, that opens a lot of doors, but pathology can be...ahem...very subjective. Just because you spent a year hanging around Jonathan Epstein doesn't mean that you ARE Jonathan Epstein.
