Ctu Vs Subspecialty Elective

[PurpleS]

In the past, I have heard that a CTU elective is king at a school whose program you are highly interested in. Now I am hearing that program directors are putting more emphasis on subspecialty electives. Can anyone comment on this or it is just hearsay?

[gsmith]

The first 3 years are mostly GIM/CTU based rotations and the PDs look for generalists. 

 

I would do at least 1-2 CTU elective at the school you are interested in and then a variety of subspecialty electives like ID, GIM consults, geriatrics. Maybe an ICU elective but from a sample of 4 people who did an ICU elective, only 1 got their interview and residency spot in their top choice.

[LittleDaisy]

Definitely reckon what gsmith mentioned!

I find it ironic that PDs look for candidates interested in GIM, while for Medicine Subspeciality Match, the number of GIM residency spots haven't increased that much. For UofT GIM, it is like 6 spots for 60 residents they have (which is not a lot???), Some CTUs do have subspecialists as staff, covering the GIM calls occasionally.

For sure, that the job market is better in GIM that most of the internal subspecilaties. 

The first 3 years are mostly GIM/CTU based rotations and the PDs look for generalists. 

 

I would do at least 1-2 CTU elective at the school you are interested in and then a variety of subspecialty electives like ID, GIM consults, geriatrics. Maybe an ICU elective but from a sample of 4 people who did an ICU elective, only 1 got their interview and residency spot in their top choice.

[shikimate]

From my understanding CTU reference letters are still weighted heavily, although this is second-hand info from IM people I know.