FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION TIMELINE
INTERN YEAR
Consider Options
Not sure if fellowship is right for you? Food for thought.
Not sure what your options are? Click here to view a list of subspecialties offering fellowships, and here to research programs.
Present and Publish
Start presting at meetings and conferences, and start publishing your work whenever possible. Case reports, research, or QI. Click here for a list of conferences you might consider applying to.
Start Your CV
Or build upon previous versions. You will eventualy submit it to your ERAS online application. Start compiling your accomplishments early.
Click here to see a few examples of strong CVs.
Consulting
Discuss your aspirations with you attendings, fellowship directors, fellows, and co-residents. Collaborate on projects.
Here is a list of Program Directors for fellowships in our program.
SECOND YEAR
Continue Presenting and Publishing
Write Your Personal Statement
Spring: Ask for Letters
June: Buy your ERAS Token
Continue presenting your research and QI to better immerse yourself in your academic field.
It has to be your own, but here are some tips to get you started.
You will need several letters of recommendation, including one from your Program Director, to complete your ERAS. Supply the authors your CV and Personal Statement.
THIRD YEAR
July: Complete your ERAS, and then Complete an NRMP Application
Prepare yourself for the ERAS application by reviewing this worksheet. The full instruction booklet and FAQs are available here.
PDs and Faculty upload Letters
The letters must be uploaded directly to ERAS by the attendings, or by Arletta.
Prepare for and Schedule Interviews
Interviews are scheduled through emails sent directly from programs. Click here to read common interview questions.
Remember to enter schedule requests.
Match!
Early December, program will announce their Match Lists!
Click here to review past match results through NRMP.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting a Fellowship
Choosing to pursue a fellowship is a major life decision. There are many factors to consider when selecting the right specialty for you. You will rely on many things to guide you, including your experience in the field, particularly on rotations and in various exposures, as well as discussions with specialists from both private practice and academics.
When considering your options, try to answer the following questions:
• Do you want to focus on
− specific organ system (cardiology or GI)
− multi-systemic (ID or oncology)?
• Do you derive more satisfaction from dealing with
− acutely ill patients
− long-term management of disease
• Do you enjoy
− focusing on a specific disease or set of problems (such as a cardiology consultant)
− the care of the entire patient (for example, serving as a comprehensive provider to renal dialysis patients who require long-term care from their specialist)?
• Do you prefer to have a
− prominent inpatient component
− an outpatient focus?
• What kind of patient mix do you prefer (age, gender, problems, setting)?
• What are the “hot areas” for scholarship in the discipline under consideration … if interested in academics, how do you see yourself focusing in the future?
• Are you interested in procedures?
• Where geographically do you hope to settle and what is the job market in that region?
Other issues to consider:
• Competitiveness of specialty
− Stats available on positions filled through match – www.nrmp.org
− Home institution faculty and fellowship director
− Program director – honest appraisal of candidacy
Sample CV
Fellowship Q&A
Tips for your Personal Statement
• Aim for one page or less
• Do not simply restate CV content
• Communicate enthusiasm for the discipline
• Let your curiosity show
• Take the opportunity to discuss projects in which participated – why you enjoyed them, how you got involved, etc. The findings of projects are less important than demonstrating your enthusiasm for scholarly pursuit
• First do no harm is the “golden rule”...
AVOID:
• Actual findings of a project unless it has yet to
be published
• Poor grammar, awkward sentences
• Hollow platitudes ... “I am enthusiastic about
the discipline/research” - Say something that supports these points
• Closing doors in PS ... not too focused. You want to appear excited and attracted to multiple possibilities offered by the discipline and
program
Common Interview Questions
• What distinguishes you from other candidates?
• Why are you interested in this field? This program?
• Tell me about your research project or interests
• What areas can you improve upon?
• What made you decide to pursue or select
_______(any item from your CV)?
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• What do you like most about your residency program?
What are PDs looking for?
• Strong PD letters and LORs
• Comments and phone calls from PDs
• Strong Interviews
• Good performance on audition rotations
• Genuine interest in research
• Many publications, and strong USMLE scores
• Reputation of your residency program and medical school
• Good personal statement
• Chief residency
• Appropriate Visas