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- Sep 17, 2017
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Hello. I am a current MS4 at a US medical school currently applying to the I-6 integrated cardiothoracic surgery programs as well as general surgery. I have a strong interest in adult cardiac surgery based on my research experiences and rotations and I'm set and this is something I want to do with my career.
I have received conflicting advice regarding different training pathways. As you can imagine, more senior CT surgeons have told me that general surgery is the way to go, considering that that's what they trained in, as well as the fact that there is the impression that you might have more technical skills, ICU experience, and leadership experience with the chief year. However, I also hear that the I-6 is better because you might get a more immersive experience with cardiothoracic surgery, certain subspecialties that are important for CT surgery, such as echo, interventional cardiology, structural heart, cardiac anesthesia, etc.
To be honest, I'm not sure which training path is better for me, and my goal ultimately is to be a CT surgeon at the end of training. I would be happy to train or a strong academic general surgery program, an I-6 program, or even a 4+3 program. I'm just wondering if anyone here has some insight into which training paths are better and the pros and cons?
Additionally, I have heard that it's difficult to explain to general surgery program directors that you are not any less dedicated to general surgery by dual applying to I-6 programs. Does anyone have any thoughts about this as well? Thank you so much.
I have received conflicting advice regarding different training pathways. As you can imagine, more senior CT surgeons have told me that general surgery is the way to go, considering that that's what they trained in, as well as the fact that there is the impression that you might have more technical skills, ICU experience, and leadership experience with the chief year. However, I also hear that the I-6 is better because you might get a more immersive experience with cardiothoracic surgery, certain subspecialties that are important for CT surgery, such as echo, interventional cardiology, structural heart, cardiac anesthesia, etc.
To be honest, I'm not sure which training path is better for me, and my goal ultimately is to be a CT surgeon at the end of training. I would be happy to train or a strong academic general surgery program, an I-6 program, or even a 4+3 program. I'm just wondering if anyone here has some insight into which training paths are better and the pros and cons?
Additionally, I have heard that it's difficult to explain to general surgery program directors that you are not any less dedicated to general surgery by dual applying to I-6 programs. Does anyone have any thoughts about this as well? Thank you so much.