Ranking more than one specialty?

[ideas]

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Hello,

I have a question for you all. How do you all feel about ranking more than one specialty during the match. I really like both oncology and anesthesia and I feel that I would be happy doing either one. I am considering applying for rad-onc, anesthesia, and IM (and gong on to do a oncology fellowship if I match in IM).

Does that sound crazy or should just focus myself on one?

Thank you

 

[bubalus]

I think it's reasonable to rank more than one specialty. If you're that serious about IM, then I would strongly consider an IM prelim for the anesthesia and rad onc positions. That would make it very easy to switch to IM should you decide to do that during your intern year. Switching to IM after a transitional year is possible, but not as easy.

 

[supahfresh]

It's not crazy to apply to more than one specialty. It's hard to choose a specialty given the little time and exposure we have to make up our minds. I applied to multiple specialties which gave me more time to think it through. then i only ranked anesthesia.

It may on the other hand be a little crazy to rank more than one specialty because it means you really haven't given it enough thought. if you seriously are that undecided come rank time, do you really want the match to decide your fate??? and if you are able to interview for IM, prelim programs, anesthesia, and radiology....kudos to you man, cuz you have mad skillz for pulling all that off. most people can barely afford the time and money to interview for one specialty. what year are you?

 

[ideas]

It's not crazy to apply to more than one specialty. It's hard to choose a specialty given the little time and exposure we have to make up our minds. I applied to multiple specialties which gave me more time to think it through. then i only ranked anesthesia.

It may on the other hand be a little crazy to rank more than one specialty because it means you really haven't given it enough thought. if you seriously are that undecided come rank time, do you really want the match to decide your fate??? and if you are able to interview for IM, prelim programs, anesthesia, and radiology....kudos to you man, cuz you have mad skillz for pulling all that off. most people can barely afford the time and money to interview for one specialty. what year are you?

I'm a third year. I just started my 4th rotation, so I'll be done w/ third year at the end of June. I am going to do a rotation in both rad-onc and anesthesia, but I won't be done with those until after Sept 1st (and I want to submit my ERAS the firstday its available). I guess I could apply to all thre and then come rank day after I have interviewed I might know more about my final decision.

In terms of applying and the cost, I've been setting aside some financial aid every semester, so I have about 3-4K saved for that so while I'd like not to spend that, I am prepared to do so since I want to go all out so that I don't have regrets later

 

[ideas]

I think the other thing that I'm keeping in mind is the reality that I might get few interviews to either rad-onc or anesthesia, given the competitiveness of both fields. However, I don't want that to scare me away from applying since I am interested in both. There are other "less competitive" fields that I know I would match in, but I don't want to self-select or psych myself out to apply. At least I will know that I tried my best and if it doesn't work out, my life will go on. But I don't want to look back 20 years from now and think "what if"?

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Hello,

I have a question for you all. How do you all feel about ranking more than one specialty during the match. I really like both oncology and anesthesia and I feel that I would be happy doing either one. I am considering applying for rad-onc, anesthesia, and IM (and gong on to do a oncology fellowship if I match in IM).

Does that sound crazy or should just focus myself on one?

Thank you

What draws you to both anesthesia and rad onc? They don't seem to overlap very much. Just curious.

 

[supahfresh]

Ideas,
You will know a great deal more more once you rotate through those fields. I recommend getting letters from every rotation if you can, but especially from program directors and preceptors who get to know you very well. talk to as many people you can in those fields and find out if they are happy, etc. Check out the book Choosing a Medical Specialty. The first chapter has some tips on how to do an introspective analysis to find out what you are looking for.

get your CV portion of the ERAS done right away and submit it on sept 1st. Then you can apply to any program from any specialty even WITHOUT an essay. at this point, you may have made your decision. but if you are still undecided, apply away and see what rolls in.

I interviewed for surgery (only 2) very early on and then anesthesia. I was convinced after my very first anesthesia interview because of who I met, why they all choose anesthesia, and because of how I felt on the interview.

Hopefully then you will be able to narrow down your choice to just one field for rank time. If you still cannot decide, perhaps you can do a prelim medicine year in the city of your choice, hopefully at the program of your choice. this year could then count as your PGY-1 year at all your above choice specialties.

If still in doubt, do anesthesiology or rads because their both better than medicine.
Good Luck!
SF