Is there a limit to how many residencies one can apply to?

[Shoushu]

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Is there a built-in limit to the # of programs one can apply? Can one apply to 50, 100, 200, in multiple specialties? That is, if $ is no issue, if one can afford the fees (I'm sure there are huge fees).

When you apply to colleges and med schools, there's no theoretical limit (only limited by the # of schools in world), but there's practical limit of how much $ you have in app fees. Is residency the same? More apps, more interviews, more likely to have a spot.

I'll be IMG (US citizen), if it makes a difference. I'll apply in FM, IM, EM, maybe G.Surg.

 

[gutonc]

Is there a built-in limit to the # of programs one can apply? Can one apply to 50, 100, 200, in multiple specialties? That is, if $ is no issue, if one can afford the fees (I'm sure there are huge fees).

When you apply to colleges and med schools, there's no theoretical limit (only limited by the # of schools in world), but there's practical limit of how much $ you have in app fees. Is residency the same? More apps, more interviews, more likely to have a spot.

I will be an IMG (citizen, US-IMG), if it makes a difference.

Short answer: no.

Long answer: Nooooooo.

Again, you're limited by the number of programs in the US of course, and by your VISA limit. But otherwise there is no limit. And applying to residency is cheap. You can apply to 100 programs for just over $1000.

 

[sam1999]

And applying to residency is cheap. You can apply to 100 programs for just over $1000.

I think correct answer would be 100 programs = about $3000

 

[DrBowtie]

You're really only limited by the amount of interviews you can attend within the interviewing period.

 

[gutonc]

I think correct answer would be 100 programs = about $3000

Thanks for the correction.

Still...that's about 30% of what it would cost to apply to that many med schools.

 

[Resuscitator]

There is no limit for the number of programs or number of specialties you apply to. The more programs and specialties you apply the more number of interviews you get (based on many factors including your scores, LORs, previous experience, visa status.....).

 

[Shoushu]

more programs and specialties you apply the more number of interviews you get (based on many factors including your scores, LORs, previous experience, visa status.....).

I'm US-IMG. In fact, I'm an American citizen for years....no visa problem.

Everything else being equal (scores, LORs....), do I have certain edge over pure FMGs? I may know American system and culture better than them (I am American, lived in USA for 16 years.)

Like someone said, perhaps it's practically limited by how many interviews one can attend, and how much $ in travel/lodging and fees. How long is the interview period? Some weeks? A few months?
Med schools have interview window of a few months, 1 cycle per year.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm US-IMG. In fact, I've been an American citizen for years.... so no visa problems.

If everything else being equal (scores, LORs....), do I have certain edge over pure FMGs? If I know the American system and culture better than them (I'm American, lived in USA for 16 years.)

Like someone said, perhaps it's practically limited by how many interviews one can attend, and how much $ in travel/lodging and fees. How long is the interview period? Weeks? A few months?
Med schools have interview window of a few months, 1 cycle per year.

Interviews theoretically can be anytime between late September to the first week of February. Most programs either start later than this or end earlier than this.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The majority of programs will interview Nov-Jan, often skipping Thanksgiving week and 2 weeks around the winter holiday block.

 

[Ashers]

I think correct answer would be 100 programs = about $3000

Probably even more by now considering I applied 3 years ago. I applied to 68 programs, and it was $2000. It's gets more expensive the more programs you add, which is annoying.

The interviews also depend on the specialty. Some have multiple days per interview season, while some only have 1 or 2 days to interview everyone they plan to interview.

 

[alphaholic06]

You're only limited by the depth of your pockets.