Residency to fellowship: home program vs. prestige

[talkeetnadenali]

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Are chances at competitive fellowships higher if residency was done at that same institution, or done at a more prestigious institution instead?
Specific example: if one was interested in a cardiology fellowship with Kaiser Permanente (LAMC) would it be easier to be match from a KP IM residency (LAMC) or from a more prestigious program, like UCSD IM?

Thoughts?

 

[hallowmann]

Each fellowship likely varies on this, so it might be valuable ask this in the specialty forum. That said, if you are well-liked in a program, its much more likely to take you than an unknown entity.

The other thing to consider is what other benefits does going to a more prestigious program provide. Are you going to have more opportunities for research? What if you change your mind during training and want to do GI or Heme/Onc? What if you aren't well liked by the in-house Cards program and find that going elsewhere is better/more likely? Generally speaking, going to a stronger and more prestigious program for training will open more overall doors.

 

[Dr. Doctor MD]

Are chances at competitive fellowships higher if residency was done at that same institution, or done at a more prestigious institution instead?
Specific example: if one was interested in a cardiology fellowship with Kaiser Permanente (LAMC) would it be easier to be match from a KP IM residency (LAMC) or from a more prestigious program, like UCSD IM?

Thoughts?

It depends so much on the programs. I know that for some low/midtier IM programs (like my program) they almost exclusively fill their cards/GI spots from their own residents. (Multiple years where 100% of fellows are internal IM residents). It seems like a safe bet if you already knew the home department to stay and essentially be guaranteed the spot.

However, I feel like it's also a near guarantee that you will get a GI/Cards fellowship somewhere coming out of Hopkins, MGH, Stanford, and likely will be at a better program than the lower tier home program.

I think either of these extremes are good for eventually accomplishing your goal, the harder thing to decide between is a non-guaranteed home IM program and other good but not exceptional IM programs. I would talk to your mentors at your home IM department and try to get a sense if you'd be a shoe in for Cards there or if you should go to a more prestigious program. I think this will vary greatly by person and program.

 

[Lawpy]

Are chances at competitive fellowships higher if residency was done at that same institution, or done at a more prestigious institution instead?
Specific example: if one was interested in a cardiology fellowship with Kaiser Permanente (LAMC) would it be easier to be match from a KP IM residency (LAMC) or from a more prestigious program, like UCSD IM?

Thoughts?

I'm not sure how you compare prestige with IM programs. Like is it the Big 4 + IM residencies with Top 20 schools (but some like Yale IM aren't that strong so it's not clear cut)?

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

Generally, if an applicant is competitive enough for the field, it is easier to match to home programs. This is especially true if the applicant has good rapport with the department.

However, this depends significantly on the culture at the fellowship program.

 

[NickNaylor]

Take a look at the fellow list for a few programs and see what you find. My guess is that, for competitive programs, you will likely find a plurality of fellows that did their residency at the same institution, but you will likely find a majority that came from elsewhere. I'm sure it's helpful if you make a good impression with the program, and certainly being familiar with "the players" would be helpful, but I don't think that choosing a residency program based primarily on your interest in doing fellowship there is wise.