Narrowing down Residency Options

[romaniangirl]

Hey guys! So as a P2, I'm starting to look at potential residency programs. I am interested in doing a PGY1 and PGY2 in something like critical care, heme/onc, or transplant. I am not geographically limited, and honestly I don't even know where to start. I would say I am relatively competitive (research experience, hospital and retail experience, a few leadership positions, community service, 3.9 GPA, etc.). I was told to apply broadly, to both competitive and "safe" places. In terms of competitive places I was looking at UIC, MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, etc. Safe places I would assume are smaller, community hospitals. Anyone have any advice on how to approach searching for programs? I've been using the ASHP search tool, but not sure what I should be looking for in a residency program.

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[Dred Pirate]

Hey guys! So as a P2, I'm starting to look at potential residency programs. I am interested in doing a PGY1 and PGY2 in something like critical care, heme/onc, or transplant. I am not geographically limited, and honestly I don't even know where to start. I would say I am relatively competitive (research experience, hospital and retail experience, a few leadership positions, community service, 3.9 GPA, etc.). I was told to apply broadly, to both competitive and "safe" places. In terms of competitive places I was looking at UIC, MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, etc. Safe places I would assume are smaller, community hospitals. Anyone have any advice on how to approach searching for programs? I've been using the ASHP search tool, but not sure what I should be looking for in a residency program.

what people think are safe, are far from it.

I work a a non-name brand large community hospital - we get 40 + applications for every position we have -and we have 4- we turn down a lot of people who appear to be competitive. So, NEVER use that word, it can only come back to bite you. Best way to search for programs? google. Look at the hospitals around you, and around areas you are interested in. Network, as the people you work with, etc. Basically find a place that is a good match for you and your interests - if you are interested in heme/onc, make sure they actually have that, tec We have limited peds, and I can't believe how many people tell me they are interested in pediatrics - well, you are in the wrong place... Not limited yourself geographically is a big plus. Go to midyear and network - if the program has 4-8 people there - they obviously support it (and I am not talking about current residents - I mean actual regular RPh's) - If they have one person representing them - they don't have the support

 

[Dalteparin]

We have limited peds, and I can't believe how many people tell me they are interested in pediatrics - well, you are in the wrong place...

This type of thing happened all the time at my previous employer too. Someone would come in talking about how much they love HIV pharmacy, I would tell them that we almost never saw patients with HIV because they all went to the academic hospital across town, they'd be like "Oh, OK" and then continue prattling on about how HIV is their passion. Candidates like that usually didn't get ranked, and if they were, they weren't ranked very high. If we don't have what you're interested in, you're going to spend a year being miserable.

 

[romaniangirl]

Thank you so much for the insight! I have had some of the pharmacists tell me the same thing-make sure to apply to places that have a decent patient population in the specialties I am interested in. Basically I'm looking at programs that offer PGY2 programs in the specialties I like. Is this a good strategy or would you suggest going beyond that and looking at amount of staff in each specialty? Most large, academic medical center programs have most, if not all, of the specialties I am considering.

 

[Dalteparin]

Thank you so much for the insight! I have had some of the pharmacists tell me the same thing-make sure to apply to places that have a decent patient population in the specialties I am interested in. Basically I'm looking at programs that offer PGY2 programs in the specialties I like. Is this a good strategy or would you suggest going beyond that and looking at amount of staff in each specialty? Most large, academic medical center programs have most, if not all, of the specialties I am considering.

Yes, looking for a programs with PGY-2s in the specialties that interest you is a great strategy. Most programs will also have a list of rotations on their website and hopefully descriptions of their rotations which will help you determine whether a program has what you're interested in.

 

[Slippers]

The list of available rotations is an important resource, and is available on the website of every residency program (or should be). If you are interested in critical care, oncology, and transplant, then look for PYG1 programs that offer rotations in these specialties.
The amount of staff in each specialty may be considerably more difficult to find. However, if no rotations are offered in your areas of interest, it is likely that they are not a large emphasis at that particular hospital.
Not all programs have PGY2 positions available, but if there is a PGY2 available in your interest area, this is an even stronger indicator.

I would agree that there are no "safe" residency programs.

 

[ldiot]

I would recommend doing rotations at places where you want to do a residency. Best opportunity to network and put a face to the name.

 

[romaniangirl]

I would recommend doing rotations at places where you want to do a residency. Best opportunity to network and put a face to the name.

Yeah, that is my goal for P4 year for local programs, but not really feasible for out of state programs.

Wow, I had heard to much from others about "safe" programs and really thought that was a thing--darn!

Thanks guys for the insight!

 

[bacillus1]

Yeah, that is my goal for P4 year for local programs, but not really feasible for out of state programs.

Wow, I had heard to much from others about "safe" programs and really thought that was a thing--darn!

Thanks guys for the insight!

No such thing as "safe" nowadays, but some programs are more competitive than others. I would encourage you to diversify your list so it would have both the programs you really want to go to as well as smaller, less well-known programs that you think you can tolerate but have a better chance of getting into.

 

[romaniangirl]

No such thing as "safe" nowadays, but some programs are more competitive than others. I would encourage you to diversify your list so it would have both the programs you really want to go to as well as smaller, less well-known programs that you think you can tolerate but have a better chance of getting into.

Sounds good! I will look into those smaller/non "big name" programs as well.

Just curious, but do y'all think programs that participate in phase II would be less competitive since they were unable to find sufficient residents in the first go around? Or is it generally just a fluke? I really don't even know where to start my residency search since I'm pretty open to any state/city where the stipend is enough to adequately cover living expenses 😛

 

[bacillus1]

Sounds good! I will look into those smaller/non "big name" programs as well.

Just curious, but do y'all think programs that participate in phase II would be less competitive since they were unable to find sufficient residents in the first go around? Or is it generally just a fluke? I really don't even know where to start my residency search since I'm pretty open to any state/city where the stipend is enough to adequately cover living expenses 😛

Phase 2 is probably more competitive, because the applicant/program ratio is less favorable for the applicants/programs left over.

 

[romaniangirl]

Phase 2 is probably more competitive, because the applicant/program ratio is less favorable for the applicants/programs left over.

I meant like programs that consistently participate in phase II (ex: if a program has failed to match all of their residents through phase I for 3 years in a row). So applying for phase I to those programs that have a record of needing to participate in phase II-would that give me a "better chance" (for lack of a better term)?

 

[bacillus1]

I meant like programs that consistently participate in phase II (ex: if a program has failed to match all of their residents through phase I for 3 years in a row). So applying for phase I to those programs that have a record of needing to participate in phase II-would that give me a "better chance" (for lack of a better term)?

Yes, as long as you understand why the program is typically in phase 2 and you are OK with that.