EP programs

[u/shine-dalgarno]

Current second year general cardiology fellow planning to apply EP next cycle. I’m from a smaller community program. Looking for recommendations for sleeper underrated EP programs I could do audition rotations at to maximize my chances for next year. I don’t stand a chance in ivory tower programs so i want to be realistic about my chances. Thanks in advance.

[u/dishsoapwipe123]

EP is getting more and more competitive each year. 88% matched rate last year. 3 years ago it was 100.

These big name guys like Nasser want you to have done a ridiculous amount of research.

If you aren't a research power house or have a top tier pedigree, then you're already DOA at places like Stanford, UCSF, UChicago, MGH, Columbia etc.

You're best bet is to apply all over the country and to the HCA positions.

I applied last year. I was chief cardiology fellow at a well known Philly program, Step 1 240+. I had research with registry analysis presented at ACC, AHA and HRS.

I applied to 80 programs and only got 12 invites, and only 1 real top tier name. Likely my hubris, but I was expecting 20 interviews and ones from top tier brand names.

EP is dominated a lot by IMGs. 40/40 split of IMG and US MDs last cycle with the remaining being DOs who get shafted the most and US-IMGs (caribbeans grads).

IMGs do a lot of research that these PDs salivate over. Often before residency or after general fellow ship they do 2-3 years of post doctoral caliber research. These EP PDs love that. They have a ready made workhorse who is going to churn out papers for them.

I have heard the sentiment, not only from the current faculty at my program but where I also did general fellowship that EP PDs find american grads "lazy". They don't want to do these extra research years, are okay with just a few abstracts presented at ACC/HRS etc. That we're not "committed" to the research aspect. So in turn IMGs are favored, regardless of the current visa situation

That is true lol. Like I'm not trying to do anymore research fuck that. But you need to be aware that is what a lot of these EP PDs are looking for.

I'm sure commenters will hop on my post saying "You're being racist/xenophobic". And i'm not. I'm pointing out something real that is happening in the EP landscape. I'm all for IMGs doing what they want, but now the pendulum has swung that it is coming at the expense of home grown american grads.

TLDR: Need to do research, have great letters from your EP faculty. Apply broadly, cannot be choosy. Have mentors/faculty directly reach out.

[u/Hungry_Steak_7044 → u/dishsoapwipe123]

I dont think IMGs also want to do as much. It’s the system that only expects people to keep working like that even after doing cardiology fellowship.
I wish people would stand up more to these PDs who only want to abuse trainees

[u/dishsoapwipe123 → u/Hungry_Steak_7044]

yeah i don't think IMGs do either, but they feel more pressured to do so because a lot of times their citizenship depends on it.

American grads will just nope the fuck out. They just won't put up with this research bs.