Taboo??

[IdontTakeCall]

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IS it taboo to apply to multiple residency programs at the same hospital? My main focus is EM, but i think it would be wise to apply to a few IM /FM programs for backup. Do they need to be at different locations then the EM programs that are my top choices?

 

[MdMd1]

Good Question !😕

 

[heyjack70]

I'm sure it depends. I know attendings that applied to multiple specialties within the same institutions and they said it was no problem. One actually applied to peds, IM, and surgery in the same institution, and ended up matching into surgery. Some programs might look down on you for applying to both, perhaps because it appears like you are less devoted to their particular specialty.

I would not mention it unless the issue comes up. If it does say you are very interested in both fields, both residency programs are very good, and you could see yourself practicing in either specialty. Something along the lines of "I've really enjoyed all the specialties I've rotated through in medical school, I found that I'm most drawn to Internal Medicine and Emergency Med, so I'm applying to both." And of course don't say that anything is a safety.

 

[gutonc]

I'm sure it depends. I know attendings that applied to multiple specialties within the same institutions and they said it was no problem.

This is becoming a fatal flaw in many applicants' Match strategies. "I have an attending who ...." This is why people still think that IMGs have a reasonable chance @ matching Derm and PRS. Unless your attending has been out of training for <3 years, or actively participates in selecting residency candidates, their personal experience is irrelevant to the Match as it exists today. I'm only 4 years out from the experience as of this year's match and I feel like I have very little to offer to current MS4s. Don't fall into the "I know a guy who" trap. For every "guy who..." there are 20 - 100 who didn't and you're more likely to be part of that camp.

To answer the OP's question, the general rule is that you should avoid applying to >1 specialty at a particular hospital. There are some exceptions. Everyone expects that people applying to Derm will also apply to a few IM programs as backup. Similar situation for people applying to ortho/ENT/Urology/Ophtho...most will apply to a few Gen Surg spots as well. These however are the exceptions that prove the rule. If you're going to apply to a few IM programs as backup to your EM, you'll be better off applying to institutions other than the ones where you apply EM.

 

[IdontTakeCall]

yeah i was thinking that would probably be the answer. good to know. ill add some other programs for IM/Fm then. on another note, is it really advisable to list soem IM as backup? as in, is it alot harder to match EM then IM or rather, is IM really a backup like FM or is it as competitive as EM?

 

[SocialistMD]

yeah i was thinking that would probably be the answer. good to know. ill add some other programs for IM/Fm then. on another note, is it really advisable to list soem IM as backup? as in, is it alot harder to match EM then IM or rather, is IM really a backup like FM or is it as competitive as EM?

Globally, EM is probably a bit more competitive because there are fewer programs. However, matching to the MGH/Hopkins/Wash U/UT-Southwestern type IM programs is at least as difficult as matching at most EM programs, simply because those places draw the best and brightest applicants who want to do IM.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

I heard of a case with someone applying to pathology and IM at the same institution. The department faculty were close, and somehow they ended up talking about it, and found out the applicant applied to both path and IM.

Needless to say, the applicant did not match at the institution because both program directors did not feel confident that the person was dedicated to their field given that they were splitting.

I would consider this an isolated incidence, but it can happen.

 

[Bitsy]

IS it taboo to apply to multiple residency programs at the same hospital? My main focus is EM, but i think it would be wise to apply to a few IM /FM programs for backup. Do they need to be at different locations then the EM programs that are my top choices?

It looks like you are just a few months into third year, so you do have time to figure it out. Plus, according to your signature thing, you haven't had rotations in ER or IM so your preferences could definitely change. Now in regards to applying to 2 specialties at once, keep in mind that (successful) match applicants have to create essentially 2 applications....2 personal statements & have strong LORs for both specialties. I know that probably doesn't sound like that much work, but 1 personal statement was painful enough for me. I would also recommend not applying to 2 different specialties (much less multiple as that just makes you look indecisive) at the same hospital unless you have a compelling reason for why you are applying to both. You will have to explain why you are doing so (most likely). Are you applying to another specialty (IM or FM) solely because you are afraid you are not going to match or because you are having a hard time deciding between two specialities? I would recommend meeting with someone from your school to help evaluate your competitiveness (at the end of third year once you have decided what you want to do and have grades for your rotations). Just some things to think about....Good luck!

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

This is becoming a fatal flaw in many applicants' Match strategies. "I have an attending who ...." This is why people still think that IMGs have a reasonable chance @ matching Derm and PRS. Unless your attending has been out of training for <3 years, or actively participates in selecting residency candidates, their personal experience is irrelevant to the Match as it exists today. I'm only 4 years out from the experience as of this year's match and I feel like I have very little to offer to current MS4s. Don't fall into the "I know a guy who" trap. For every "guy who..." there are 20 - 100 who didn't and you're more likely to be part of that camp.

Agree with this. I've even had trouble with the advice from some of our general surgery chief residents (of course they are PGY7s...). They don't seem to know how much more competitive the application process for general surgery has gotten and talk about applying to 12 programs and going on 8 interviews. They look at me like I'm crazy when I say I'm applying to 25.

 

[MeowMix]

In FM, we are usually very uninterested in people who are applying to us as backup. If you really want to be in EM, you will probably not be happy in FM, and you are a big flight risk for leaving at the end of intern year. We would rather take a committed but academically less stellar applicant.

Just be aware that in any given city, the medical community is small and EM docs are married to FM docs whose sisters are IM docs...if you are going to do this, be honest about your plans. We hate dishonesty most of all.

 

[IdontTakeCall]

i thought I was clear, there is no doubt i want to do EM> i have wanted EM for many years and though i havent done a "documented rotation" in EM, i have been sort of doing one behind the scenes. there is no hesitation i want to do EM. However, the big man may say no, we dont want you in EM, so im being realistic. I am applying to IM/FM as a backup, but if i dont get into EM then i HAVE to do one of those. they move from beign my backup to what i have to do for a living. i know it sux but thats reality, we dont all get to do what we want to do. i want to be a doctor. i would love to be an er doctor. But that might not be in the cards so i have to apply to other options because i have to do something. i cant sit out a year im married with 3 kids to support i dont have the luxury of going all around the country or waiting a year or 2 to get an em residency. interest rates roll on loans no matter what. so like i said, i really want to do er but with my situation and repsonsibilities its plan for the worst hope for the best. that aside, me 2 er doc friends said im worryign for nothing, i scored a little below avg on step one and am about mid-upper mid of the class in terms of rank, but its been 15 years since they matched i think theyre a little aloof or perhaps naive. im jsut trying to prepare so i can make sure i have a spot in something.

 

[peppy]

I really don't think it is worth the trouble of trying to interview for two specialties in a case like yours. Interviews are often very expensive and exhausting. You might as well put all that effort into EM. If I were you, I would maybe get some letters from some FM docs that you can use to credibly try to scramble for FM if things don't work out in EM, but I would not try to interview at FM programs if that really isn't where your passion is. Good luck.