MD Research Fellowship - Please help!

[LatinDoctor]

Hello everyone, I am an IMG with low scores (Step 1: 212, CK: 222, CS: pass, Step 3: 199) all on first attempt. I have 5 USCE (University of Miami, Northwestern and Cleveland Clinic FL) and received 5 LORs. Had 5 interviews for Internal Medicine, but did not match this cycle. Now, I have been accepted in 2 different research fellowships and I have to decide between those two. One is in Mass General (Harvard) with the founder of the arrhythmia service in Harvard (I want to be a Cardiologist), but he told me I have two commit for 2 years! (that means not applying for the next upcoming match) and it is basic science research.

The other option is a 1-year commitment (I can apply for next match) at Cleveland clinic Florida, and it is a clinical research fellowship in the Pulmonary Department. I can't decide! Which option do you guys think it´s better for me? Do you guys think that a 2 year commitment is worth because it´s Harvard? Or is it better to do only 1 year of CLINICAL research at Cleveland FL ? Which option will increase my chances of matching?? After not matching this cycle I took Step 3 and enrolled in Principles and Practice of Clinical Research Program at Harvard (via remote access/online). I really want to match and I don't know what else to do at this point 🙁

Thanks in advance..!

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[Animalcules]

I think this should be obvious if you want to be a cardiologist.

 

[LatinDoctor]

I think this should be obvious if you want to be a cardiologist.

The thing is, I have to get into Internal Medicine first.

 

[ed*26]

I would look at the other recently active thread about a U.S. IMG who failed to match twice, and seriously consider what you would do if another match cycle went by without success. Two years are going to pass regardless. I know your scores are better than hers, but she was successful because she built a network of people who eventually pulled through for her. Working for two years with a big name in your field of choice, in one of the most respectable internal medicine departments in the country, can get you a pretty powerful network if done correctly. Speaking of networks, you should really be in constant contact with your school (if they regularly send graduates to the U.S. and are willing to work with you) and the physicians and residents you worked with on your U.S. rotations. What do they think you should be doing?

I know people who have made arrangements to have protected clinical time during research years--something like a half day every other week--so that may be an option to negotiate with your PI. If you simply can't imagine yourself being happy and productive there, though, you shouldn't go.

 

[Redpancreas]

It depends entirely on you. If it were me, every year matters as Cardiology is PGY-6 at minimum and some people who want interventional/EP go PGY-8. That on top of 2 years a research fellowship. That’s PFY-10. At that point I’d rather just apply family medicine and start practicing after 3 years because that’s 1 million at an early age so financially it doesn’t make sense. If your end goal is to be a cardiologist no matter what, pick the 2 year fellowship but know that no name is going to make up for step scores. These fellowships aren’t that uncommon.

 

[studentdocftw]

How risky are you? 2+3+3 = 8 years is a tough sell for a general Cards fellowship...9+ if you plan to subspecialize..almost a decade..yikes. Of course, at any point, it could fall apart. You could do the research, and still fail to match. You could do the research, match IM, but ultimately fail to match the Cardio fellowship. Ultimately, it boils down to whether or not you are willing to risk 2 years for nothing. If you are, do the 2 years of research and apply IM/FM and hope for the best. If not, just apply dual IM/FM, and consider what your options are after. I don't think the Pulm research would be worth it because you aren't interested in it, and it wouldn't be of any use if you plan to apply Cards.

 

[Animalcules]

Two years of research in cardiology is nothing. I am not sure if 1 year of research will help you much. You need a good publication and more importantly a big shot name who goes to bat for you. Life is full of uncertainty but you only had a few interviews and did not match. You have one more shot at this but you need to make sure you are set up for success. One year of clinical pulm research is unlikely to change you chances of matching dramatically. You need to have convincing research productivity and a network to succeed.