This
is regarding my fellowship application for Pediatric intensive care application.
This is based on my personal journey. I had a LOT of help during the same and I
am ever thankful for my mentors, seniors and colleagues for guiding me through
the way.
First
off, once you have decided you want to pursue a fellowship I would start
working on building contacts in the field. I spoke to my seniors and
mentor and asked what I could do to make myself more marketable.
Couple
of things that I did/things that were recommended
- Away electives- If your program lets you do so. Generally, helps in building rapport with attendings at other programs and thereby your network.
- Research in the field of your interest/application
- Presentations: Try presenting at a National conference if possible in your 2nd /3rd year of residency prior to applying for a fellowship if possible.
- Work on your personal statement during your down-time in 2nd year. Since this is generally the bane of existence for most residents
For
Pediatric fellowship the time line is a bit as follows
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Somewhere in the middle to end of June
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Apply for a token to create an ERAS account
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End of June to 2nd week of July
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- Work on the ERAS application.
- Get LOR’s (take into consideration that
your attendings are busy and have a life of their own! They will take at
least 2-3 weeks to write you a STRONG LOR. Do consider that it takes 5
business days to upload the same to ERAS. The Program Director LOR has to be
one of the 3-4LOR’s that you send to programs) P.S.- You should be dropping
hints to them in the end of May that you are expecting them to write LOR’s
for you in case I missed mentioning that.
|
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2nd week of July
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You can technically apply if your
application is ready to the programs. P.S- The programs CANNOT see your
application yet
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July 15th
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Moment of truth. This is when the real
application begins, and programs call for interviews
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July 15th till the mid November
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Interviews take place here. So, a lot of
post call travelling and leave requests and what not. Finances/travelling tips
for fellowship interview in another post that you can find here
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Mid October to end of November
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Work on your ROL. Trust me a month seems
like a LONG time
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End of November to Mid December
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The MAGICAL match process takes place in
NRMP. Start praying for good news.
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Mid December
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Cheers! You have matched at your desired
program!
If not take part in SOAP (post-match scramble in residency)
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Please
note: NRMP token opens somewhere in between. I do not remember the exact date
unfortunately.
Tips
on looking up programs
- Talk to seniors, attendings on the places you are applying to PRIOR to applying.
- Visa is another criterion that some of us used prior to applying. Unless you do not have such restrictions
- FRIEDA is a good place to read on programs as well
- Lastly email the coordinator for places that you have no information on. They will generally get back to you within 2-3 days.
Hopefully this helps all individuals who will be applying the following year for fellowship! Best of luck and fingers crossed
Thank you
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