question about fellowship application.

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ilovepath

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This maybe a dumb question about fellowship application.

If you are kind of open to doing a few different types of fellowships, and strongly prefer an area of the country that has a pretty finite amount of them, would a program understand if you applied to maybe 2 or even 3 of them at the same institution if you are upfront with the fact that you have strong geographic preferences?

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If dermpath is one of your choices, maybe not. Dermpath wants to hear that you only want to do dermpath (at least in my experience). But the unboarded fellowships probably won't care if you like different organ systems.
 
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If dermpath is one of your choices, maybe not. Dermpath wants to hear that you only want to do dermpath (at least in my experience). But the unboarded fellowships probably won't care if you like different organ systems.

Thx for everyone's input. Has anyone else been in my shoes where they have a very strong preference for a particular geographic location, and would compromise on their fellowship selection preferences because of it?
 
I was in a similar situation, applying for non-boarded surgpath subspecialties. At the most competitive places, I guarantee it will hurt you. How much depends on your competition. A lot of subspecialists just don't understand the concept that their organ just isn't all that different from the neighboring organ, and if you don't demonstrate absolute fidelity to the bowel or what have you then they're less interested in you.
 
Kinda agree with malchik, and think it depends on the program directors involved. Some just want a decent young pathologist to bend to their will and are happy to use the fellowship year to mutual advantage, but if you happen to end up happily doing something other than their subspecialty then more power to you. Others are pretty sure pathology really is kinda a farce outside of their subspecialty niche and anyone who suggests otherwise is a simpleton at best. I surmise most program directors don't -entirely- understand if a person isn't necessarily dedicated to their subspecialty (they probably wouldn't be fellowship program director if they didn't really focus on and at least reasonably enjoy that subspecialty), but are still smart enough to be realistic about it and be happy to take someone well qualified and dedicated to doing a good job once they make a commitment. Nobody wants to lose a fellow just before the year starts, or mid-year, to a "better opportunity", and everyone wants an early commitment to their program so they don't have to keep interviewing.
 
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