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- Feb 14, 2013
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I was wondering if I could get some help with ranking. I am an MD senior applying to Path this year and I'd consider myself an average candiate. I am worried about two problems, one is comparing prestige vs. happiness and the other is ranking programs close to home vs far away if it means sacrificing better programs farther away. I am very much aware of the issue with the job market and people on here talk about the crappy programs. And I know my questions aren't necessarily original, but I wanted to get a fresh perspective. So here are my questions if anyone can help.............
1. Fellowship: Can a fellowship at an impressive institution make a difference for jobs if the candiate went to an average residency? It seems like there are plenty of fellowships out there so I am thinking even if I go a less desirable program, if I work hard, try to publish, etc do you think it is possible to secure a good fellowship?
2. In relation to question to #2 it seems to me that a fellowship in something like FP or Transfusion medicine would make more a difference in helping one's career to differeniate into something marketable compared to something like a general Surg Path fellowship which is really just an extension of residency. Obviously it will help you more if you went to a top notch program for any job, but does it matter less for a fellowship such as FP?
3. Unmatched programs: So if I am reading NRMP stats from last year correctly it appears as though a lot of spots went unmatched at well known programs/well known hospitals such as Duke, UVM, Columbia, UF-Shands, MCW, etc. Does anyone know if these programs filled in the scramble? I can rank 13 programs, but only 5-6 are at well known places so I am wondering if it would be in my best interest to only rank 6 and if I go unmatched try for the SOAP. I know this sounds crazy in other fields, but since there are so many spots open in Path it seems like it is possible to Scramble into a decent program. Any residents here have experience this? Do these prorams just take the same approach and only rank high quality applicants? If you have residents that scrambled, are they good?
Thanks in advance for the help. My adviser at school has been willing to help but he seems out of touch with the current enviroment.
1. Fellowship: Can a fellowship at an impressive institution make a difference for jobs if the candiate went to an average residency? It seems like there are plenty of fellowships out there so I am thinking even if I go a less desirable program, if I work hard, try to publish, etc do you think it is possible to secure a good fellowship?
2. In relation to question to #2 it seems to me that a fellowship in something like FP or Transfusion medicine would make more a difference in helping one's career to differeniate into something marketable compared to something like a general Surg Path fellowship which is really just an extension of residency. Obviously it will help you more if you went to a top notch program for any job, but does it matter less for a fellowship such as FP?
3. Unmatched programs: So if I am reading NRMP stats from last year correctly it appears as though a lot of spots went unmatched at well known programs/well known hospitals such as Duke, UVM, Columbia, UF-Shands, MCW, etc. Does anyone know if these programs filled in the scramble? I can rank 13 programs, but only 5-6 are at well known places so I am wondering if it would be in my best interest to only rank 6 and if I go unmatched try for the SOAP. I know this sounds crazy in other fields, but since there are so many spots open in Path it seems like it is possible to Scramble into a decent program. Any residents here have experience this? Do these prorams just take the same approach and only rank high quality applicants? If you have residents that scrambled, are they good?
Thanks in advance for the help. My adviser at school has been willing to help but he seems out of touch with the current enviroment.