Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Application Guide
Hematology and medical oncology are intimately connected, and most fellowship trainees select programs that combine hematology and medical oncology training for a three-year period. Per ABIM regulations, if an applicant enters a two-year fellowship in hematology or medical oncology alone and afterwards wishes to train in the other subspecialty, two additional years of training (4 years total) are required. Consequently, most fellowships consist of a three year combined subspecialty program.
As with many subspecialties, applications are submitted via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), and most positions are filled via the National Residency Matching Program, Specialties Matching Service (NRMP/SRS). Information regarding registration, policies and procedures may be found on the ERAS website (www.aamc.org/audienceeras.htm). While not a requirement, most fellowship positions start July 1, and the match takes place in June of the preceding year. Consequently, programs generally start interviewing candidates one and a half years prior to the anticipated fellowship start date, and start reviewing applications shortly after they become available through the ERAS system December 1, nineteen months prior to the anticipated fellowship start date of July 1.
Timeline for applications for training beginning on July 1, 2011
Mid-June 2009: The MyERAS user guide is available.
July 1, 2009: MyERAS web site becomes open to applicants. This is the time when you should obtain letters and documents you will need to download as part of your application.
November 15, 2009: Applicants begin posting their applications on ERAS to the programs. Requirements include personal statement and letters of recommendations (Weill Cornell-NYP requests three letters.)
December 1, 2009: Institutions/Programs download the posted ERAS applications. Weill Cornell-NYP downloads applications up to December15th.
February –April 2010: Applicants will be contacted by the programs for interviews.
January 1, 2010: Match registration begins. Rank Order list opens in early April.
First week in June 2010: The deadline for finalizing the Rank Order list for both the applicants and the programs/institutions. Match results are usually announced in mid-June.
Application Requirements
The ERAS application consists of your CV, NBME (board) scores, three (or more) letters of recommendation (one from your residency program director), and a personal essay.
General Advice
The decision to pursue fellowship training in hematology and oncology directly after residency training must be made during the first half of the second year of residency, and the application must be complete by approximately December 1 of that same year (or shortly thereafter).
Research--basic, translational, and clinical–is an integral part of the fields of hematology and medical oncology. Even clinicians in private practice typically enter patients in clinical trials and must be familiar with research methodology. Top fellowship programs look very favorably at candidates with demonstrated success and/or interest in research. Make sure any research you have done is included in your application (even if in a different specialty). Letters of recommendation from research mentors are extremely helpful. Be prepared to discuss at interviews any research you have done.
If your primary experience is clinical and you have not yet developed significant research interests (as is often the case!), it is crucial to consider what your research interests might be. Are you interested in the underlying cellular mechanisms of carcinogenesis? Which mechanisms? Are you interested in helping develop or test new anti-cancer drugs? If so, which types? Are you interested in specific diseases? Issues related to palliative care? Include in your application essay what your research interests might be, and be prepared to discuss them (however briefly–you are not expected to be an expert) at your interviews.
Hematology/Oncology is a wide, interesting field, and our faculty here at Weill Cornell/NYPH can help you determine what your research interests might be.
Contacts
Ron Scheff, MD
Fellowship Program Director
Email: [email protected]
Eric Feldman, MD
Email: [email protected]
John Leonard, MD
Email: [email protected]
Ellen Ritchie, MD
Email: [email protected]
Andrew Schafer, MD
Email: [email protected]
Scott Tagawa, MD
Email: [email protected]
Linda Vahdat, MD
Email: [email protected]
