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 afterward wishes to train in the other subspecialty, two additional years of training (four 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 begin reviewing applications shortly after they become available through the ERAS system December 1 (19 months prior to the anticipated fellowship start date of July 1.
Timeline for applications for training beginning July 1, 2012
Mid-June 2010: MyERAS user guide is available.
July 1, 2010: MyERAS website 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, 2010: Applicants begin posting their applications to the ERAS system.
Requirements include personal statement and letters of recommendation (NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell requests 3 letters).
December 1, 2010: Institutions/Programs download the posted ERAS applications. NYPH/WC downloads applications up to December 15.
February – April 2011: Applicants are contacted for interviews.
January 1, 2011: Match registration begins. Rank Order list opens in early April.
First week in June 2011: 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 medical 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 anticancer 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/Medical Oncology is a wide, interesting field, and the faculty at NYPH/WC can help you determine what your research interests might be.
Contacts
Ron J. Scheff, MD
Fellowship Program Director
Email: rjs2002@med.cornell.edu
Karen Goldfarb
Fellowship Program Coordinator
Tel: 212-746-2061
Email: kag2021@med.cornell.edu
Eric Feldman, MD
Email: ejf2001@med.cornell.edu
John P. Leonard, MD
Email: jpleonar@med.cornell.edu
Ellen K. Ritchie, MD
Email: ritchie@med.cornell.edu
Andrew I. Schafer, MD
Email: ais2007@med.cornell.edu
Scott T. Tagawa, MD
Email: stt2007@med.cornell.edu
Linda T. Vahdat, MD
Email: ltv2001@med.cornell.edu
