So.......by this time last year I finished my Nephrology elective. Sad thing was ,I was given only 3 weeks to spend in Nephrology. But luckily...2 of the Nephrologists were kind enough to write letters for me. and then my Program director was going to write one. But I still tried to get a few more letters in. This is the reason behind this, and I would encourage you to do this.....
As many of my attendings/Professors are from different hospitals & Universities, I decided to send the LOR from an attending to the hospital where he was trained or may be worked before coming here (provide you think the program in that hospital is good for you). This can work in 2 ways. One...the person/program director reading the letter may know your attending.Two.....the attending who writes the letter for you will feel happy and might recommend you on a more personal note(email etc) to someone he knows in that program. Afterall, the more contacts you have..the more useful it is.
Since it might take a while for them to write letters...its important to start the process now ,by requesting the letter now. Once they agree (all of them usually do...unless u screwed up big time!). immediately print your cover sheet from ERAS...give it to them with a stamped envelope with the address written on it. It will be easier for them to have an updated CV from you. Ask them to seal the cover if you ve waived your right.
Regarding "waive your right "...this is my take on it. If I think I did well, and pretty confident that the letter writer will give me a nice letter, I will waive it (thats what I did for my letters).If you have doubts...dont hesitate to see the letter. Based on the 15 residents who applied last year with me....waiving or not waiving didnt make much of a difference.
Ok.....get ready with your LOR.
by the way.... Hope you all have started working on your application!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
New forum for fellowship aspirants
There is a new forum to help fellowship aspirants for all specialties.
You can discuss any fellowship or may be even residency related questions..or..doubt.
Is is managed by a group of 3rd Year residents who have all gone through the fellowship match and have been successful in different specialties.
So get valuable hints from them
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Fellowship_Forum
gud luck
You can discuss any fellowship or may be even residency related questions..or..doubt.
Is is managed by a group of 3rd Year residents who have all gone through the fellowship match and have been successful in different specialties.
So get valuable hints from them
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Fellowship_Forum
gud luck
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Visas
Lets talk about visa issues first, as in my opinion having a visa Vs citizen/Green card holder does make a difference to your chances. Most of IMGs are going to be on a H1B or a J1 visa.
As you might know, H1B is like a work permit, which can be held for a maximum of 6 years. You are pretty much tied to an institution whichever is employing you. You apply for H1 when you change employer.
On the other hand ...with J1 you can stay for 7 years, and then either you serve a underprivileged area in US for 2 years or... go back to your home country. And you have to renew it every year (which is a pain, as I see a few of my colleagues do that)
In terms of Fellowship opportunities, a good chunk of programs do not offer H1 visas ( its their policy,as they say!. Bottomline ...they dont want to go through the paperwork , and spend money on it). But there are many good programs which still offer H1. (I will post a list of H1 programs for each specialty later). Another reason some programs say...they dont like H1 ..is because they cant apply for NIH funding with H1. This would be true for research oriented specialties like Immunology, Rheum and Endo.
For J1...you have more places accepting it than H1. Chances of getting an interview may be slightly better than H1.If you are a person willing to change your visa to J1 from a H1, then try to mention that clearly in the ERAS application. (This would suit someone wanting to go back to home country after training )
Apart from the last option...visa issue at this stage is a non modifiable thing ....and we have to try the best with what we have.People have done it in the past...and so can you!
have a look at this link for some more idea on H1( not pertaining to fellowship).
As you might know, H1B is like a work permit, which can be held for a maximum of 6 years. You are pretty much tied to an institution whichever is employing you. You apply for H1 when you change employer.
On the other hand ...with J1 you can stay for 7 years, and then either you serve a underprivileged area in US for 2 years or... go back to your home country. And you have to renew it every year (which is a pain, as I see a few of my colleagues do that)
In terms of Fellowship opportunities, a good chunk of programs do not offer H1 visas ( its their policy,as they say!. Bottomline ...they dont want to go through the paperwork , and spend money on it). But there are many good programs which still offer H1. (I will post a list of H1 programs for each specialty later). Another reason some programs say...they dont like H1 ..is because they cant apply for NIH funding with H1. This would be true for research oriented specialties like Immunology, Rheum and Endo.
For J1...you have more places accepting it than H1. Chances of getting an interview may be slightly better than H1.If you are a person willing to change your visa to J1 from a H1, then try to mention that clearly in the ERAS application. (This would suit someone wanting to go back to home country after training )
Apart from the last option...visa issue at this stage is a non modifiable thing ....and we have to try the best with what we have.People have done it in the past...and so can you!
have a look at this link for some more idea on H1( not pertaining to fellowship).
Hello to all residents applying for fellowship
Hi
Im a 3rd year Resident in a University affiliated Community Hospital in the North east of US.
I went through the painful process of applying for the fellowship
Luckily I am going for Nephrology next year.
I and my colleagues (mostly IMGs) in my hospital, who are going for different specialties decided that we can blog about our experience, and will be useful to you guys.
Please feel free to ask any doubts you have, and we will answer to the best of our ability.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL
Nel
Im a 3rd year Resident in a University affiliated Community Hospital in the North east of US.
I went through the painful process of applying for the fellowship
Luckily I am going for Nephrology next year.
I and my colleagues (mostly IMGs) in my hospital, who are going for different specialties decided that we can blog about our experience, and will be useful to you guys.
Please feel free to ask any doubts you have, and we will answer to the best of our ability.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL
Nel
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