Is Vascular medicine a useful fellowship for someone trying to bolster their Cardiology chances?

[jonathanlikes]

Asking advice for a colleague who is a PGY2, soon to be PGY3. US Citizen with a MD from a Caribbean school. High STEP scores (all above 245). IM Resident at a community program with zero in house fellowships. No significant research. Her PD told her not to directly apply to Cards this year, saying it was a long shot.
Will doing a Vascular med fellowship help?

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[BMW M5]

I wouldn't discourage her from applying unless her PD is indirectly telling her that she isn't getting a strong letter of recommendation. She needs to secure 3 strong letters of recommendation and apply to as many programs as possible. I remember applying to 202 programs an IMG and got in with little research and close to zero contacts. There is a movement to bring in more women into cardiology so her chances are likely better than you think.

The vascular medicine fellowship may help her but no one wants to be in training forever. If money isn't a big issue, she should apply broadly. If she doesn't match, it won't be the end of the world. Contacts and a few research projects will for sure help in the future.

 

[aafisahar]

Only do it if it's a guaranteed backdoor into fellowship. You're better off finding some research fellowship as that'll help your application way more.

 

[ROBINHO]

She should apply to the match.

If she doesn’t match she can apply for a back up fellowship.

Doing a vascular medicine fellowship doesn’t guarantee cardiology fellowship.