WAMC for Hem/Onc Fellowship: IMG, MD-PhD, Step 1&2 250/260, YOG 2008

[jonim]

New to SDN & this forum. I'd welcome feedback regarding the format or category of my post.

I'm planning to apply for IM positions this upcoming match, so it may be a little premature to research fellowship program in advance. However, I'd like to set a realistic long-term goal before setting the key milestones.

A bit background about me. I'm one of those people who's just fascinated by science and enjoys solving problems. I got my MD-PhD program from a known school in my home country. My Ph.D. thesis was about hacking the molecular target of macrophage in the tumor microenvironment. I then finished my internal medicine residency there. During my whole training, I was quite productive. I published 54 papers (11 first author) and presented seven times at several international conferences. But doing all those research and clinical training, it's been already 10 years from my graduation. I have a non-modifiable red-flag as an old graduate (YOG 2008).

I always wanted to do research that translates into new therapeutics. I found that I had to move to the US to be working at the cutting edge. My goal is to become a hem/onc specialist involved in translational research and phase I trial. I acknowledge that matching into a top-tier hem/onc fellowship would give me that opportunity.

However, the more I read the posts on the forums, the more concerned I get about my situation. I understand that IM programs emphasize on YOG for good reasons. It's been 11 years after my graduation which I think will definitely lower my chances. I'm mostly worried that I'll get filtered out initially based on YOG before the program director gets to see my application. I am not sure if I could match into a decent university-based IM program. On the other hand, I see that hem/onc fellowship programs have been more competitive and most of the fellows of top hem/onc programs are from big-name IM residency.

I'd like to hear feedbacks about my hem/onc fellowship goal.
What are the programs that will enable my long-term goal?

I would also appreciate any advice on IM residency matching strategy to eventually land on the targeted hem/onc fellowship programs.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[whoknows2012]

New to SDN & this forum. I'd welcome feedback regarding the format or category of my post.

I'm planning to apply for IM positions this upcoming match, so I may sound premature to research fellowship program in advance. However, I'd like to set a realistic long-term goal before setting the key milestones.

A bit background about me. I'm one of those people who's just fascinated by science and enjoys solving problems. I got my MD-PhD program from a known school in my home country. My Ph.D. thesis was about hacking the molecular target of macrophage in the tumor microenvironment. I then finished my internal medicine residency there. During my whole training, I was quite productive. I published 54 papers (11 first author) and presented seven times at several international conferences. But doing all those research and clinical training, it's been already 10 years from my graduation. I have a non-modifiable red-flag as an old graduate (YOG 2008).

I always wanted to do research that translates into new therapeutics. I found that I had to move to the US to be working at the cutting edge. My goal is to become a hem/onc specialist involved in translational research and phase I trial. I acknowledge that matching into a top-tier hem/onc fellowship would give me that opportunity.

However, the more I read the posts on the forums, the more concerned I get about my situation. I understand that IM programs emphasize on YOG for good reasons. It's been 11 years after my graduation which I think will definitely lower my chances. I'm mostly worried that I'll get filtered out initially based on YOG before the program director gets to see my application. I am not sure if I could match into a decent university-based IM program. On the other hand, I see that hem/onc fellowship programs have been more competitive and most of the fellows of top hem/onc programs are from big-name IM residency.

I'd like to hear feedbacks about my hem/onc fellowship goal.
What are the programs that will enable my long-term goal?

I would also appreciate any advice on IM residency matching strategy to eventually land on the targeted hem/onc fellowship programs.

Your YOG is a massive huge gigantic red flag and as you stated will get you filtered for most programs. That said, given your background research and steps (are those recent?) if someone could do it it would be a type of applicant like yourself. The overall problem with your end goal is it essentially presupposes an academic IM match which I think will be quite difficult in your position.

How long have you been in the US? What clinical experience do you have here? Have you continued to do research? Are you currently working at an academic center where your could meet with a mentor to discuss your chances? Before we get into more specifics this information is important

 

[jonim]

Your YOG is a massive huge gigantic red flag and as you stated will get you filtered for most programs. That said, given your background research and steps (are those recent?) if someone could do it it would be a type of applicant like yourself. The overall problem with your end goal is it essentially presupposes an academic IM match which I think will be quite difficult in your position.

How long have you been in the US? What clinical experience do you have here? Have you continued to do research? Are you currently working at an academic center where your could meet with a mentor to discuss your chances? Before we get into more specifics this information is important

Thanks for the reply and feedback.

I have limited USCE. One month of neurology clerkship during my last year as a medical student (2007). It is too old to be significant.

My step scores are fresh (2018-2019). I have been continuously practicing internal medicine in my home country and I am currently a department manager of a public hospital. I am moving into the US this April, have plan for two 4-week externships, and then I will join an investigational therapeutics program (oncology) as a research fellow in August.

That said, I suppose I need one or two more years in the US to get a support from my potential mentors, LoRs and calling the PDs to have a look on my application befor screening out. What do you think?