Sports Medicine 2025-2026

[Ronaldo7]

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Looks like we don't have an SM thread for this cycle yet! How many programs are you guys planning to sending applications to?

 

[Powdermonkey]

Beat me to starting it!

I'm thinking at least 30, but likely more. Non-trad applicant this year, I've been out in the real world for about a decade as an attending. But I've been planning on this with coverage and shadowing for about 2 years now. It's been a long road, but Im ready for it!

How many are you planning on applying to?

 

[Powdermonkey]

Question about the application - I took and passed all of my COMLEX steps on the first try, I'll obviously need to include those. And Im board certified in my specialty. I also took step 1 and 2 of the USMLE. Should I include my USMLE score from a decade ago, or just the COMLEX? Thoughts?

 

[Ronaldo7]

Beat me to starting it!

I'm thinking at least 30, but likely more. Non-trad applicant this year, I've been out in the real world for about a decade as an attending. But I've been planning on this with coverage and shadowing for about 2 years now. It's been a long road, but Im ready for it!

How many are you planning on applying to?

I am thinking about 20, maybe I should increase it to 30. How are you selecting which 30 to apply? Geography, or are you looking for a specific thing in the fellowships?
I am also a non-trad. Been in the real world for about 4 years now. Has been difficult to find a practicing SM physician to shadow as an attending. I shadowed in the orthopedic group, which staffs my hospital.
It's gonna be difficult!

 

[Powdermonkey]

I am thinking about 20, maybe I should increase it to 30. How are you selecting which 30 to apply? Geography, or are you looking for a specific thing in the fellowships?
I am also a non-trad. Been in the real world for about 4 years now. Has been difficult to find a practicing SM physician to shadow as an attending. I shadowed in the orthopedic group, which staffs my hospital.
It's gonna be difficult!

I have a spreadsheet of all of the programs that will accept my specialty (hint, I'm not FM). I tried to figure out who would be friendly to me vs who wouldn't be, and have a pseudo ranking. Im also a decade or so out of training, so I'm looking to apply to a few extra places hoping that I'll have more luck. The locations I was looking for geographically helped narrow it down a little. I still probably need to cut 15-20 from this list so I'm not just applying everywhere, lol.

Speaking of that, what are your thoughts about the three geographic region preferences? I'm torn because we are wanting to end up closer to my wife's family, so ending up there would be ideal, but I have programs I am definitely interested in in most of the different zones. I've been reading all of the pluses and minuses of picking vs saying you don't have a preference, and I'm torn. Right now I have the no preferences checked, but I may change it to the three regions where the majority of the places I'm applying to are.

Oh man, I could go on about all of this for days, but I'll stop there for now. I'm sure my wife will be happy that there is someone else to talk to about this now. I've been trying to organize this, get experience, and get set up to apply for probably 2 years now. 🤣

 

[Powdermonkey]

Oh, and in regards to shadowing, I chatted with some of my ortho bros where I work and they got me in contact with sports med folks. I was able to get in with PPEs, clinic shadowing, and it helped me get in with the local schools for sideline shadowing, etc. I was able to go to a few conferences (local, national, and virtual) and it has helped me with networking as well. The toughest part when you're out on your own is figuring out the malpractice questions and is it worth it. I've only done events where I'm covered under someone else for that reason.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I have selected no preference, for now. My list has 20 programs, as not all programs accept my specialty (also not FM).

Have you noticed that all the programs listed in AMSSM and WIKISM are not in the NRMP yet? Do you think that'll change in the future?

 

[Powdermonkey]

I have selected no preference, for now. My list has 20 programs, as not all programs accept my specialty (also not FM).

Have you noticed that all the programs listed in AMSSM and WIKISM are not in the NRMP yet? Do you think that'll change in the future?

From looking at the prior years threads as well as some of the other specialty WAMC threads, I think some programs take their time to put themselves on ERAS and they have to do it each year. But yes, there are maybe 10 or so places I was looking at that don't seem to be available for choosing just yet. They still have a month/a few months, and I'm sure they're busy getting ready for the new fellows to start.

 

[Ronaldo7]

I have a spreadsheet of all of the programs that will accept my specialty (hint, I'm not FM). I tried to figure out who would be friendly to me vs who wouldn't be, and have a pseudo ranking. Im also a decade or so out of training, so I'm looking to apply to a few extra places hoping that I'll have more luck. The locations I was looking for geographically helped narrow it down a little. I still probably need to cut 15-20 from this list so I'm not just applying everywhere, lol.

Speaking of that, what are your thoughts about the three geographic region preferences? I'm torn because we are wanting to end up closer to my wife's family, so ending up there would be ideal, but I have programs I am definitely interested in in most of the different zones. I've been reading all of the pluses and minuses of picking vs saying you don't have a preference, and I'm torn. Right now I have the no preferences checked, but I may change it to the three regions where the majority of the places I'm applying to are.

Oh man, I could go on about all of this for days, but I'll stop there for now. I'm sure my wife will be happy that there is someone else to talk to about this now. I've been trying to organize this, get experience, and get set up to apply for probably 2 years now. 🤣

Is your spreadsheet shareable?

 

[Powdermonkey]

Is your spreadsheet shareable?

Check your DM.