The secret to fellowship admission...

[dharmabum7]

If we apply to fellowships after our first year of residency, then what do fellowship really look for aside from recs from the school you are at? I figure reputation of your program, and letters of rec (from preceptors in your area of interest) must be high up there.

From what I hear, step scores are not too important. Is this correct or wrong? Do they focuse on a particular step (step 3 perhaps?) Research, who has time for that in intern year?

Pretty much, what is the "secret to setting yourself to being on the right track to getting your fellowship of choice"? (I wil be doing Heme onc in case some one has any specific suggestions but feel free to give your opinions on other areas since i am sure there are people interested in areas like cardio, gi, pulm, renal)

I feel this is an important question because it may influence how we choose our site for Internal Med....

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[Renovar]

Originally posted by dharmabum7
If we apply to fellowships after our first year of residency, then what do fellowship really look for aside from recs from the school you are at? I figure reputation of your program, and letters of rec (from preceptors in your area of interest) must be high up there.

From what I hear, step scores are not too important. Is this correct or wrong? Do they focuse on a particular step (step 3 perhaps?) Research, who has time for that in intern year?

Pretty much, what is the "secret to setting yourself to being on the right track to getting your fellowship of choice"? (I wil be doing Heme onc in case some one has any specific suggestions but feel free to give your opinions on other areas since i am sure there are people interested in areas like cardio, gi, pulm, renal)

I feel this is an important question because it may influence how we choose our site for Internal Med....

Big factors are name and reputation of the institution, connections you make in the subspecialty department, and your evaluations (ie. your chief of service letter). If you are like most people, step 1 is the last qualitative standardized test that you should concern yourself about. Meaning that as long as you pass, no one really gives a rats ass anymore

So you want to go to a place where 1. it's got a good overall name (as seen by where their residents go for fellowships) 2. preferably high-ranking dept of whichever field you want to go into (as you have more opportunity to hook up with big-name guys in the field if you go to a top department, and some institutions favors taking their own) and most importantly 3. somewhere where you think you fit best.

This is a small world, and the fellowship arena is a small world. Numbers are irrelavent in the process, it's all about how saavy you are, how much personal connection you make, and how well you fit in their program. Just imagine if the top heme/onc attending in your institution is willing to make a call to your top choice fellowship to root for you, how big would that be? As with many things in this world, sometimes that's all it takes.

 

[Samir Desai]

I agree completely with Renovar's comments. In particular, I want to emphasize the importance of getting know the faculty. As Renovar said, the "fellowship arena is a small world".

At many institutions, there are distinguished physicians who are well known throughout academia. These individuals may be widely respected because of excellence in teaching, patient care, research, or a combination thereof. Quite often, these individuals run in the same circles as physicians from other institutions. They may see each other at conferences or may collaborate on research projects together. They may develop lasting friendships and professional relationships with one another. The contacts they have at other institutions can help you secure a position in a fellowship program that you covet.

It is important to seek out these individuals and get to know them. A strong letter of recommendation or a call on your behalf from such a physician can do wonders for your fellowship application. It is important to realize that distinguished physicians are less giving with their praise. To earn their praise, you must work hard and shine in any capacity that brings you into contact with them. Simply meeting with them on two or three occasions is not enough to secure a strong letter. You need to work closely with them in either the clinical and/or research setting. Close interactions of this sort over a prolonged period of time will help the faculty member learn more about your professional and personal qualities. They will then be more receptive to supporting your application with a letter or phone call.

Don?t underestimate the benefits that a carefully cultivated relationship with a distinguished faculty member can provide you. I know of many instances where a strong letter or phone call were major factors that helped applicants secure positions at the fellowship programs of their choice. Who you know and how willing they are to go to bat for you can make a huge difference.

If possible, you should start your efforts early. If you are an intern and have already decided on fellowship training, seek out experiences that will bring you into contact with the faculty members in your chosen field. Because interns are pressed for time, it's often not possible to start a research project (or if you do, you may not be able to put a lot of time into it) but you can start by simply scheduling appointments with faculty members (including the chairman and the fellowship director at your institution). Let them know of your interest and ask them for guidance. Talk with the current fellows and residents who have already matched into the fellowship - hopefully, they will steer you in the right direction (i.e., which attending is more likely to go to bat for you). Since subspecialists often attend on the general medicine wards, see if you can be placed on their team. Attend the department's Grand Rounds. These are just some examples of how you can start the process of getting to know faculty members.

Good luck,

Samir Desai, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

 

[dharmabum7]

Samir and Renovar,

Thanks so much. That was some great advice. So I guess its important for me to have some idea of the heme-onc faculty and its strength at the institutions I am interested in along with strength of program and finding a place I fit in.

Thanks again.

Take care.

-Dharmabum

 

[radonc]

#1 being a US medical grad/citizen
#2 reputation of residency program
#3 reputation of med school
#4 research and publications
#5 contacts

 

[Apollyon]

Originally posted by radonc
#1 being a US medical grad/citizen
#2 reputation of residency program
#3 reputation of med school
#4 research and publications
#5 contacts

Makes sense, but, how do you explain that somewhere between 40% and half of all fellows in all subspecialties in the US are FMG's? And, I just think of a person I know that fails 1, 2, and 3, don't know about 4 or 5, that is going to UTSW for endo, whereas there is another person who has 1, 2, 3, and I think 4 and 5, but didn't get ANY endo anywhere. (I don't want to use any other specifics, so I don't 'out' anyone.)

 

[PTCA]

Originally posted by radonc
#1 being a US medical grad/citizen
#2 reputation of residency program
#3 reputation of med school
#4 research and publications
#5 contacts

I don?t have any direct knowledge on this,but I would point out that judging by renovars and Samir Desais posts (and taking into account several other posts on these boards)I would expect 2,4,5 to be 123(if they are in order of importance).1 and 3 seem more like residency criteria (rather than fellowship)