jonim
Full Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2019
- Messages
- 14
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- 27
New to SDN & this forum. I'd welcome feedback regarding the format or category of my post.
I'm planning to apply for IM positions this upcoming match, so it may be a little premature to research fellowship program in advance. However, I'd like to set a realistic long-term goal before setting the key milestones.
A bit background about me. I'm one of those people who's just fascinated by science and enjoys solving problems. I got my MD-PhD program from a known school in my home country. My Ph.D. thesis was about hacking the molecular target of macrophage in the tumor microenvironment. I then finished my internal medicine residency there. During my whole training, I was quite productive. I published 54 papers (11 first author) and presented seven times at several international conferences. But doing all those research and clinical training, it's been already 10 years from my graduation. I have a non-modifiable red-flag as an old graduate (YOG 2008).
I always wanted to do research that translates into new therapeutics. I found that I had to move to the US to be working at the cutting edge. My goal is to become a hem/onc specialist involved in translational research and phase I trial. I acknowledge that matching into a top-tier hem/onc fellowship would give me that opportunity.
However, the more I read the posts on the forums, the more concerned I get about my situation. I understand that IM programs emphasize on YOG for good reasons. It's been 11 years after my graduation which I think will definitely lower my chances. I'm mostly worried that I'll get filtered out initially based on YOG before the program director gets to see my application. I am not sure if I could match into a decent university-based IM program. On the other hand, I see that hem/onc fellowship programs have been more competitive and most of the fellows of top hem/onc programs are from big-name IM residency.
I'd like to hear feedbacks about my hem/onc fellowship goal.
What are the programs that will enable my long-term goal?
I would also appreciate any advice on IM residency matching strategy to eventually land on the targeted hem/onc fellowship programs.
I'm planning to apply for IM positions this upcoming match, so it may be a little premature to research fellowship program in advance. However, I'd like to set a realistic long-term goal before setting the key milestones.
A bit background about me. I'm one of those people who's just fascinated by science and enjoys solving problems. I got my MD-PhD program from a known school in my home country. My Ph.D. thesis was about hacking the molecular target of macrophage in the tumor microenvironment. I then finished my internal medicine residency there. During my whole training, I was quite productive. I published 54 papers (11 first author) and presented seven times at several international conferences. But doing all those research and clinical training, it's been already 10 years from my graduation. I have a non-modifiable red-flag as an old graduate (YOG 2008).
I always wanted to do research that translates into new therapeutics. I found that I had to move to the US to be working at the cutting edge. My goal is to become a hem/onc specialist involved in translational research and phase I trial. I acknowledge that matching into a top-tier hem/onc fellowship would give me that opportunity.
However, the more I read the posts on the forums, the more concerned I get about my situation. I understand that IM programs emphasize on YOG for good reasons. It's been 11 years after my graduation which I think will definitely lower my chances. I'm mostly worried that I'll get filtered out initially based on YOG before the program director gets to see my application. I am not sure if I could match into a decent university-based IM program. On the other hand, I see that hem/onc fellowship programs have been more competitive and most of the fellows of top hem/onc programs are from big-name IM residency.
I'd like to hear feedbacks about my hem/onc fellowship goal.
What are the programs that will enable my long-term goal?
I would also appreciate any advice on IM residency matching strategy to eventually land on the targeted hem/onc fellowship programs.
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