Question about applying to 2 fields.....

[Lifedrive]

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Hi all,

I am in a dilemma. I am considering applying to 2 fields of medicine. IM and EM. My first choice is EM, which I have already applied to, but I know that with the spots filling rapidly, being an IMG from australia, and such few left open, I don't want to take the risk and not match. So, I want to add IM to the mix, as I also enjoyed it during 3rd and 4th year.

I have prepared a PS for each and have multiple LOR's for both.

My questions are; Is it risky/foolish to apply to 2 fields? Will it affect me adversly?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike-
USyd

 

[turtle md]

My 2 cents:

When I was applying to EM, I was asked several times by my interviewers if I was only applying to EM, or was I applying to more than one field. My inference is that if applying to more than one, a candidate may not seem fully dedicated to EM. Saying that, if you fear not matching, than you may want to cover yourself just to be sure. You could always explain in the interview that while you really want EM, you are applying to some IM as backup. And then rank all your EM before IM.

We have an EM/IM program at my hospital. I know some people like both, but I don't understand how. They are two really different fields. One is fast paced and exciting, with little to no continuity, and the other is slow and boring and follows patients in clinic. Not to mention the rounding that is the heart of IM and non-existant in EM. Hope this helps...

 

[Lifedrive]

I agree that they are very different fields, but there are positives to each. And if I don't match in EM, it is the only other field I would consider as a career.

Thanks for the advice. much appreciated.

 

[neilc]

as long as you don't apply to different programs in the same hospital, they will likely never know. just emphasize to the EM folks your strong desire for EM, and tell the IM folks everything you love about IM.

the bottom line is that you need/want a match this year. so, do whatever you think you need to in terms of applications to get that match. you don't need to lie, or be misleading to do this, and the programs should never even find out.

 

[Lifedrive]

as long as you don't apply to different programs in the same hospital, they will likely never know. just emphasize to the EM folks your strong desire for EM, and tell the IM folks everything you love about IM.

the bottom line is that you need/want a match this year. so, do whatever you think you need to in terms of applications to get that match. you don't need to lie, or be misleading to do this, and the programs should never even find out.

That could be a problem. i applied to all EM programs. So that does not leave much room to maneuver in IM. How risky is it to apply to diff proggys in the same hospital? Are the PD's/interviewers/coordinators diff for each specialty? I hope they don't get together for coffee.

Oh boy, more trouble on the horizon!

 

[turtle md]

Each specialty has its own PD and conducts its own interviews. You will not interview with the same people in EM as you would for IM. However, the PDs do tend to know eachother. Whether or not they discuss individual applicants I don't know. I would guess they have other things of interest to occupy conversation.

 

[corpsmanUP]

If a program is going to put you in the position to have to answer that question, then you have to do what it takes to pass their scrutiny. You have every reason to withhold that information and I recommend you not tell them you are applying to other specialties. I started applying to FM and changed to EM because it had been on my mind a long time. I simply changed all my LOR's, did a new PS, and cancelled all my other FM interviews. I now have 15+ EM interviews and that is undoubtedly what I will be going into. I also did 2 FM interviews very early on because I felt obliged after talking with the PD's for so many months. They too asked me if I was applying to only FM programs. I felt the question was unfair and I honestly think it should be on the list of banned questions. PD's and Deans can't expect that med students 3 days out of 3rd year know what they want to be for the rest of their lives without a doubt. Most students often don't even gain adequate exposure to a specialty they are interested in until right around application time, if then. Asking if someone is dedicated to "the cause" this early on is like asking a cub scout to commit NOW that they will become an eagle scout. Or it is like asking a three year old to become a born again Christian, when they will not even remember why they did it 10 years later. PD's just need to find the best people based on academics, personal traits, and the interview. They need to worry less about whether or not some IMG has a backup plan to go into Peds if they don't get into anesthesia or whatever. Please!!!!

 

[njbmd]

Hi all,

I am in a dilemma. I am considering applying to 2 fields of medicine. IM and EM. My first choice is EM, which I have already applied to, but I know that with the spots filling rapidly, being an IMG from australia, and such few left open, I don't want to take the risk and not match. So, I want to add IM to the mix, as I also enjoyed it during 3rd and 4th year.

I have prepared a PS for each and have multiple LOR's for both.

My questions are; Is it risky/foolish to apply to 2 fields? Will it affect me adversly?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike-
USyd

Hi there,
Other than the expense of applying to enough programs and the expense of all of those interviews, there is really no downside here. You really need to have 10-15 interviews for EM and probably at least 10 solid for IM. That is a good bit of interviewing (If it's Tuesday, I must be in Boston). Try to make sure that you do not accidently mix your Personal Statements and LORs but other than that, you should be OK.

njbmd 🙂

 

[Lifedrive]

Thanks to all. Your responses have been very helpful. And they have given me some peace for now.