Urology + Gen Surg Application

[Electrophys]

Hi guys (and ladies),

I sincerely hope no one considers me a tool for posting a question like this...and I'm very certain that I'm not the only one in this camp but I wanted to get perspectives on submitting both a Urology residency application and a General Surgery application? I love urology because it is a great balance of surgery, procedures, and clinics and because urology patients are generally very greatful for the care you can provide. That being said - the match rate for US seniors is somewhere around 65-70%...and if the urology gods decide I'm not destined to be a urologist then I realistically have to look elsewhere for a surgical career. I'm also flirting with the idea of submitting a Urology/ER combo...but I don't think that would go down well at all...

Thoughts? Advice on how to tread this very delicate tight rope?

Thanks.

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[SocialistMD]

Thoughts? Advice on how to tread this very delicate tight rope?

While expensive, it will be possible to do this, but you want to make sure you aren't interviewing for both positions at the same institution, as if one (particularly GS) sees you interviewing for the other, they will question your dedication and be less likely to rank you (so I've been told by PDs past).

 

[Winged Scapula]

This is very common for those applying to competitive surgical subspecialties. As Socialist notes, the hardest part will be not to apply to programs at the same hospital for fear of being found out. In addition, you will be asked during your Gen Surg interviews about your interest and if your transcript shows a lot of Urology electives, they may question that. Only you can decide if you will be honest about the dual apps or will "fudge" your interest in Gen Surg.

 

[Bombrainiac]

Hi guys (and ladies),

I sincerely hope no one considers me a tool for posting a question like this...and I'm very certain that I'm not the only one in this camp but I wanted to get perspectives on submitting both a Urology residency application and a General Surgery application? I love urology because it is a great balance of surgery, procedures, and clinics and because urology patients are generally very greatful for the care you can provide. That being said - the match rate for US seniors is somewhere around 65-70%...and if the urology gods decide I'm not destined to be a urologist then I realistically have to look elsewhere for a surgical career. I'm also flirting with the idea of submitting a Urology/ER combo...but I don't think that would go down well at all...

Thoughts? Advice on how to tread this very delicate tight rope?

Thanks.

General surgery and Urology are two very different fields in practice. It sounds like you really want to do urology, but want gensurg as a back-up. General surgery, in my opinion, is so different in practice than Urology that I would almost advise you to trash the whole idea. ENT has a lot of the same benefits as Urology, but it's not exactly less competitive. Also, some medical subspecialties, like GI, have high patient satisfaction, some nice bread and butter procedures, and it's in demand. Most general surgery residents are planning to subspecialize (colorectal, vascular, plastics galore). So if you are going to apply to general surgery, then ask yourself if you would subspecialize or remain a true GENERAL general surgeon. Good luck, my friend. Whatever you do, though, do NOT reveal that you're applying to two specialties. It's not required that you disclose that kind of information during interviews or otherwise, and it will only hurt your chances. The matching process is an elaborate JOB interview. Don't forget that.