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Hi, everyone. Very long time lurker. I finished residency two years back and I think I will apply to neonatology fellowship this cycle. I have been practicing rural pediatrics which has been fun , helped me pay back my loans, and has been an adventure, but I'm looking for a new challenge and loved the nicu during residency. I'm getting a little nervous applying as I don't feel like I have a lot of resources due to being out of training, so I thought I would run some questions by all of you. Thank you in advance!
For context, I have no 'red flags': US MD, step scores >250 on all three, did residency at a large tertiary program at a "top ten" children's hospital (whatever that means), passed boards on first attempt. I think the two biggest things that will affect my application are research (basically none) and letters of recommendation. I think I did really well in residency, got great feedback, was a strong resident, always worked hard got along great with everyone etc.., but I wasn't on any leadership roles and didn't really get to know any faculty well so I'm pretty sure my LORs will be very vanilla.
1) How many programs do most people apply to? I was thinking about applying to about 10 programs. Honestly, what I'm looking for in a program is great clinical training in a nice location on the western part of the US. Is it like med school/residency where you apply to a mix of programs? How do you know which programs are more competitive than others?
2) Who do you recommend I get LORs from. I assume one has to be my PD and the other two can be open. I was thinking about my continuity clinic preceptor and maybe one of the attendings I worked with (if he remembers me enough). Should I get one from my current boss in my job right now. That might be an awkward ask even though we get along great... I don't think I know any neonatologists well enough to write me one, will this be a big deal?
3) I know research is a big part of fellowship training -- I have some interests, but certainly no track record of research accomplishments. I assume I can't do anything about it, but are some programs more 'research heavy' than others?
4) Anyone have any idea if interviews will be virtual or real life. Virtual would save me so much time and money!
5) What is the general perception of applicants who took time in between residency and fellowship? Should I answer to this in my personal statement?
6) I think ERAS requires you to have a MSPE (from medical school) and a medical school transcript. This makes me laugh a little bit as I now precept third year medical students and fill in those same comments and I wonder what they wrote about me back then! But anyways, do I just request this from my medical school and will they send it directly to ERAS?
7) Does it matter how big a program I train at in terms of clinical skills, future job opportunities or is the perception that all fellowship grads are equally trained
8) Any other tips or advice from someone going back into training. It scares me a little bit taking the pay cut and increase in workload; but every step has gotten better so far, so hopefully fellowship will be challenging and fulfilling
thank you all again!
For context, I have no 'red flags': US MD, step scores >250 on all three, did residency at a large tertiary program at a "top ten" children's hospital (whatever that means), passed boards on first attempt. I think the two biggest things that will affect my application are research (basically none) and letters of recommendation. I think I did really well in residency, got great feedback, was a strong resident, always worked hard got along great with everyone etc.., but I wasn't on any leadership roles and didn't really get to know any faculty well so I'm pretty sure my LORs will be very vanilla.
1) How many programs do most people apply to? I was thinking about applying to about 10 programs. Honestly, what I'm looking for in a program is great clinical training in a nice location on the western part of the US. Is it like med school/residency where you apply to a mix of programs? How do you know which programs are more competitive than others?
2) Who do you recommend I get LORs from. I assume one has to be my PD and the other two can be open. I was thinking about my continuity clinic preceptor and maybe one of the attendings I worked with (if he remembers me enough). Should I get one from my current boss in my job right now. That might be an awkward ask even though we get along great... I don't think I know any neonatologists well enough to write me one, will this be a big deal?
3) I know research is a big part of fellowship training -- I have some interests, but certainly no track record of research accomplishments. I assume I can't do anything about it, but are some programs more 'research heavy' than others?
4) Anyone have any idea if interviews will be virtual or real life. Virtual would save me so much time and money!
5) What is the general perception of applicants who took time in between residency and fellowship? Should I answer to this in my personal statement?
6) I think ERAS requires you to have a MSPE (from medical school) and a medical school transcript. This makes me laugh a little bit as I now precept third year medical students and fill in those same comments and I wonder what they wrote about me back then! But anyways, do I just request this from my medical school and will they send it directly to ERAS?
7) Does it matter how big a program I train at in terms of clinical skills, future job opportunities or is the perception that all fellowship grads are equally trained
8) Any other tips or advice from someone going back into training. It scares me a little bit taking the pay cut and increase in workload; but every step has gotten better so far, so hopefully fellowship will be challenging and fulfilling
thank you all again!
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