Hello, I have a question pertaining to the timing and choice of elective rotations for someone interested in cardiology. A little about myself...
I'm an American IMG nearing the end of my intern year at a small community program in a major city. Since we have no in-house cards fellowship, I'm doing my best to strengthen my CV. I'm well liked amongst my fellow residents and attendings, most of all the PD and our head cardiologists who have given me their full support and investment in pursuing cards. I've got 2 lower-caliber (review articles) in the line for publication, am co-investigator in one multi-center study with our local university hospitals (that may or may not see publication by the end of my R2 year), have participated in the local AMA chapter poster competition, and am involved in several residency initiatives that aren't publishable but do carry enough weight to go on my CV.
All to say that I'm working my butt off to be competitive in spite of my IMG and community program background.
As R2 year approaches, I'm planning ahead for my electives. Three options have come to mind...
1) Cardiology rotation at our neighboring major academic center (top 5 in the country). There's no way I'd ever have a shot of matching there with my pedigree, but perhaps a LOR from one of their cardiologists would carry significant weight. My home institution cardiologist can pull strings to help me rotate with them
2) Cardiology rotation at a medium-sized program of good repute that historically has taken residents from our program similar to me. The chief 2 years ago matched there and was from my medical school, similar scores, determination, publications. I'm using him as a template of what to shoot for during residency, and perhaps the the legacy component would increase my chance of matching there?
3) Medium-tier university program in my home town, on the opposite coast. I'd love to match there, be close to family and return home. They take IMGs, though very high quality IMGs with moderately impressive publications. Through family connections I could secure a rotation with them, but probably only available around December of this year (6-8 months before applications are sent out). Would my rotation there be so early that I'd have faded from memory come application time?
So those are my top options at the moment. Which one or ones would seem most beneficial in aiding my chances to match? And for the last 2, where I might have a chance of matching, when would be the best time to request a rotation? End of my second year? Beginning of my third? December of my second? I appreciate any feedback from those who have gone through the process themselves and have insight. Thanks!
I'm an American IMG nearing the end of my intern year at a small community program in a major city. Since we have no in-house cards fellowship, I'm doing my best to strengthen my CV. I'm well liked amongst my fellow residents and attendings, most of all the PD and our head cardiologists who have given me their full support and investment in pursuing cards. I've got 2 lower-caliber (review articles) in the line for publication, am co-investigator in one multi-center study with our local university hospitals (that may or may not see publication by the end of my R2 year), have participated in the local AMA chapter poster competition, and am involved in several residency initiatives that aren't publishable but do carry enough weight to go on my CV.
All to say that I'm working my butt off to be competitive in spite of my IMG and community program background.
As R2 year approaches, I'm planning ahead for my electives. Three options have come to mind...
1) Cardiology rotation at our neighboring major academic center (top 5 in the country). There's no way I'd ever have a shot of matching there with my pedigree, but perhaps a LOR from one of their cardiologists would carry significant weight. My home institution cardiologist can pull strings to help me rotate with them
2) Cardiology rotation at a medium-sized program of good repute that historically has taken residents from our program similar to me. The chief 2 years ago matched there and was from my medical school, similar scores, determination, publications. I'm using him as a template of what to shoot for during residency, and perhaps the the legacy component would increase my chance of matching there?
3) Medium-tier university program in my home town, on the opposite coast. I'd love to match there, be close to family and return home. They take IMGs, though very high quality IMGs with moderately impressive publications. Through family connections I could secure a rotation with them, but probably only available around December of this year (6-8 months before applications are sent out). Would my rotation there be so early that I'd have faded from memory come application time?
So those are my top options at the moment. Which one or ones would seem most beneficial in aiding my chances to match? And for the last 2, where I might have a chance of matching, when would be the best time to request a rotation? End of my second year? Beginning of my third? December of my second? I appreciate any feedback from those who have gone through the process themselves and have insight. Thanks!
