Looking to subspecialize? Take careful approach in residency Match

Medical training is necessarily focused on the future. For physician residency applicants, that might mean pondering what comes next—after they land their residency positions. In many cases, the answer, or perhaps the aspiration, is subspecialty fellowship training. 

“Many people begin thinking about fellowship during the residency-application process; it’s completely normal,” said Sanjay Desai, MD, the AMA’s chief academic officer and a former internal medicine residency program director.

In this article, medical students will get valuable information regarding:

• Why you shouldn’t make your fellowship or subspecialty interest the center of your pitch to programs.
• How to tactfully communicate fellowship interests in residency applications and interviews.
• Why remaining open-minded throughout residency can shape your ultimate path.
• What program track records and fellowship Match lists can reveal about your options.
• How to choose a residency program if you’re still undecided about fellowship.