| Clinical Fellowships

Clinical fellowships (see below) in anesthesia provide additional subspecialty training, and can increase your marketability during future employment search. You usually apply to fellowships during your PGY3 (CA2 year) if you are planning to start fellowship immediately after residency. However, the timeline for applying varies depending on the specific fellowship. Given the early timeline for fellowship application, it is recommended that you rotate through your interested subspecialty early in the CA2 year to help in decision-making and in finding faculty in your subspecialty who can write your letter(s) of recommendation. Additionally, your CA1 in-training exam (ITE) score and the Basic Exam can become a differentiating factor in competitive subspecialties. Moreover, the fellowship application usually requires a personal statement and responses to essay questions, thus, it is useful to plan ahead to allow yourself some time for writing. Finally, as you know, interviews can be expensive and time-consuming, therefore, you may need some careful planning to minimize travel costs and to stay within the 5 business days that ACGME allotted for fellowship interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I apply?
If you're planning to start fellowship immediately after residency, you will typically apply during your CA2 year. Although the exact timeline depends on the subspecialty, applications are usually open some time between November and July, therefore, check carefully. More importantly, interviews are typically offered on a rolling basis, thus, applying early is ADVANTAGEOUS. Applying towards the end of the application cycle significantly decreases the likelihood of getting an interview.

How do I apply?
There is no uniform fellowship application system. Most cardiothoracic anesthesia and critical care programs use SF Match. Most pain and pediatric anesthesia programs use ERAS. Other fellowships use the Common Application or institutional-specific applications.

Are there exceptions to the match?
Some exceptions in the SF match include being an internal applicant, applying for a multi-year fellowship (e.g. combined cardiothoracic anesthesia and critical care), and couples matching.

How many programs should I apply to?
Depends on the competitiveness of the subspecialty and your overall application package. However, some directors caution against only applying to one program because it shows that you are more interested in the location rather than the subspecialty.

Which are the competitive fellowships?
Typically cardiothoracic anesthesia, pain, and pediatric anesthesia, but can vary from application cycle to cycle.

How many letters of recommendation do I need?
For most fellowships, you would need 3 letters, though it can vary from 2-4. One letter will be from the program director. The others can be from your academic, research, and/or subspecialty advisor.

Who should I get recommendation letters from?
Ideally, letters from attendings who have worked with you sufficiently and know you well. It is easy for the selection committee to pick out letters that regurgitates your curriculum vitae or very superficial in compliments. The letter from your program director is especially important as that person has access to your overall perform across your time in residency.

What is the most important part of the application?
Although the selection committee considers the overall applicant, your recommendation letters carry a lot of weight.

How should I ask for a letter of recommendation?
You may consider asking the person whether he or she is willing to write you a STRONG recommendation letter. This allows the person to decline if he or she does not think he or she knows you well enough or cannot write a strong letter for you.

Are test scores important?
Test scores are considered when evaluating the overall applicant. Not all program directors place emphasis on ITE scores. However, having reasonable scores will not hurt your application, and may even be a differentiating factor for competitive fellowships.

How important is my personal statement?
Very rarely does the selection committee see a personal statement that is outstanding and unique. Thus, do not delay your application trying to put together a personal personal statement. However, avoid misspelling and grammatical mistakes as you do not want to appear sloppy.

How do I differentiate myself?
Besides excelling clinically, if you are motivated, any research, case report, and book chapters is a plus. Additionally, leadership within your program, department, or hospital is also well-regarded.

How do I convey interest in a program?
Because subspecialties tend to be small groups, you may consider attending a professional conference within your subspecialty to meet with the program director. Also, if a young attending recently came from the program that you are interested in, you may ask that person for advice. He or she may even become a referee and/or a liaison between you and your program of interest. Otherwise, expressing your enthusiasm and knowledge of the program during your interview always helps. Be careful not to bend your application too much to a program because you do not know exactly what that program is seeking. Always be honest.
Also, if you are interested in staying at your home institution for a fellowship, your interactions with non-anesthesiologists such as nurses and OR staff are sometimes also taken into consideration.

What about hobbies?
Sometimes, selection members look to your hobbies to better understand you as a person, therefore, do not leave it empty.

What is the difference between ACGME and non-ACGME fellowships?
ACGME fellowships have specific training requirements and standard salary across the nation. Non-ACGME fellowships, however, have institutional-specific training requirements, are usually more flexible, and tend to have higher salary.

What other fellowships are available besides the clinical fellowships?
A research fellowship offers protected research time for those interested in a career as an anesthesiologist-scientist. Fellowships in education (e.g. simulation, media) or administration offer unique skill sets for those interested in teaching or management.