how hard is it to get a cards fellowship? Really??

[amherstguy]

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i was wondering how competitive cards fellowships are for US MD's. seeing that a huge percentage of the cards pool is FMG's, etc. I was wondering how a US medical student coming from a decent to above average residency program in medicine, would stack up. ???

 

[Janus]

At a top 15 IM residency program, we've had about 10-15 applicants for cards each year in the past 4 years, and each year we have had 1 person not match. Most of the others have matched at amongst their top choices (this is hard to measure as most rank list #1 or #2 may not be their initial top choice considering places they might not have received interviews). Obviously, this is a reasonably select group of residents and everyone who applied did the appropriate amount of prep (including some cards research). About 40% of the group have applied as PGY-3s (usually for personal reasons or delayed decision-making, not specifically to enhance their application), the rest as PGY-2s. (There are not any FMGs or DOs in our program.)

So is it hard? Sure. Is it impossible? No. I would say if you know you want to do it and put forth the appropriate effort, you have a decent shot.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

Cards isn't hard to get in if you go to a top tier internal medicine program or one that takes its own candidates. As long as you do a little research, schmooze with the attendings, show interest, you'll get a spot.

Go to a community program or one that's unheard of, and you'll be fighting an uphill battle.

 

[josephf1]

on that note, im invited to a top tier IM program (US news honor roll top 10 hospital), and a community program that annualy takes 2/4 fellows from its own IM. please which one to go to to get cards? the community one is much better in terms of location/personal but the top 10 place is awesome too
thanks

 

[VCMM414]

on that note, im invited to a top tier IM program (US news honor roll top 10 hospital),

Would caution against placing too much stock on US News Hospital rankings, as it is not necessarily a good indicator of prestige for IM programs. Cleveland Clinic (#4 US News), for example, is not a top tier IM program. Neither is Cedars-Sinai (#17). Pittsburgh (#13) is good, but would be hard pressed to be included amongst the top 15 IM programs.

On the other hand, if the program that invited you is the likes of MGH/Hopkins/Duke, you will likely match very well into cardiology. It would probably be good to choose there over the community program, as long as you can tolerate the location for 3 years.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

why not interview at both?

look at the fellowship match list for the "top tier" program and see what they have to say. it'll help in your decision making!

 

[OHMAN0125]

Would caution against placing too much stock on US News Hospital rankings, as it is not necessarily a good indicator of prestige for IM programs. Cleveland Clinic (#4 US News), for example, is not a top tier IM program. Neither is Cedars-Sinai (#17). Pittsburgh (#13) is good, but would be hard pressed to be included amongst the top 15 IM programs.

On the other hand, if the program that invited you is the likes of MGH/Hopkins/Duke, you will likely match very well into cardiology. It would probably be good to choose there over the community program, as long as you can tolerate the location for 3 years.

How do I fine the top IM programs? Or is it more or less a guess among ppl?

 

[Chalazion12]

So since Hopkins bayview is considered a community program, would it be more difficult to match into cards from this program vs a university based program?