What are your plans if you do not secure a fellowship position?
The interview panel wants to know that you are the kind of person who thinks ahead and has an alternate plan for when things don't work out as intended. This happens often in medicine, so when you share your alternate plan with the interviewers, they will feel confident about how you view the big picture.
Let the interviewers know that you have thought about your options should you not match into a fellowship position. Reassure them that fellowship is your number one goal, but that you have made alternate plans.
"While I'm extremely hopeful that I'll have the opportunity to become a fellow, I realize it's possible I won't match. With that in mind, I've been speaking with several of my mentors about clinical opportunities in the area. I also reached out to my internist back home, and he's agreed to introduce me to several local physicians who are looking to expand their practices."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I am extremely hopeful that I will match into a fellowship program. But I also realize that it is possible that I won't match. With that in mind, I spoke to some of my mentors about which path will be beneficial to me and will allow me to remain a strong candidate when I reapply. My backup plan will be to find a job as a hospitalist in a hospital with an open ICU where I am the attending managing the patients under the distant supervision of an intensivist. It will allow me to maintain my clinical acumen and procedural skills.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! Will you reapply if you don't get accepted the first time around? If so, you might mention this so the interviewer understands how determined you are. Otherwise, your plans to work in a hospital make perfect sense so you continue to build your skills and experience. Good response!
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