Open Spots - Keys to Getting the Fellowship You Want

Keys to Getting the Fellowship You Want

Remember when you were a medical student, trailing around the residents, pretending that you were interested and impressed, all the while thinking: ‘Once I get through the match it’ll be smooth sailing. No more ass-kissing, fake-laughing, feigning interest. I’ll be doing what I want and earning money.’

Well, now you know that the money stinks and some of you aren’t even sure that you chose the right field, but at least you’re thinking about a fellowship.

Unlike the residency Match, 75% of fellowship applicants do not get one of their top 3 choices. In 2003, statistics taken from the NRMP Fellowship Match site showed that overall, only 63% of applicants matched at all!

The fear of not being able to do what you want after all these years of studying and clerking and going into debt, is a very real concern. But fear not housestaffers, Openspots.com is looking out for you.

Reading this article is the first step in the journey towards achieving your goals and getting that fellowship of your dreams.

Though it seems unfair, if you don’t prepare yourself early and well, you may be left out of the fellowship you want, purely because of the small number of spots available. All those hurdles you’ve jumped through, to get where you are now are behind you, and if you want to keep on specializing, you got more hurdles to go. Scared yet? Good. Let’s get down to business.

Your first and toughest priority is to CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. If you vacillate between two subspecialties for the entire first year of your residency, you are losing valuable time that the gunners (aka “throats”) are taking advantage of by involving themselves in ongoing studies, making connections with professors, trying to get their name on papers, etc etc. We know it ain’t easy, but you have to choose sometime so it might as well be early.

If you are really having trouble with your decision, talk to a fellow at your hospital to find out what their daily life is like. Was it what they expected? What are the good and bad features? But, don’t ask them why they went into it, because they are not you and everyone has different reasons for doing what they do.

Also take into account what your life will be like as an attending in that field. Do you want to be in the OR all day with minimal outpatient care? Or, would you rather have an outpatient practice with some procedures? Do you want to stay involved with academics? Do you want to join a private group? These questions, plus many others, are what you should be asking yourself as you go through your first months. Don’t forget, the earlier you make up your mind to focus, the more time you can dedicate to bolstering that fellowship application. The painful truth is that there’s very little to differentiate you from your peers at this stage in the game.

1. Publications and research

2. Letters of recommendation, and,

3. The reputation of your current institution

This is what separates you from the competition. Hence, if you are at a mid-level institution, applying for cardiology, or plastics, or some other competitive spot, you need to work extra hard, because there is a kid from The Brigham who can’t wait to compare resumes. Harsh, but true.

Hopefully, this dialogue will lead you to some conclusion about what you want to do within the first 6 to 9 months of your residency. I know it sounds early but the truth is, it’s never too early and no one can fault you for being a motivated (except your competition). Once you have chosen your future discipline, you have completed the most difficult and most important step. You are now on your way to the fellowship you want.

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Keys to Getting the Fellowship You Want

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