u/OkTransportation4370

Hi everyone,

I’m a PGY-1 Internal Medicine resident on a J1 visa (via ECFMG), planning to apply for cardiology fellowship 2027 cycle.

I understand that cardiology is quite competitive, especially for J1 applicants, so I’m trying to plan ahead and avoid getting stuck without options.

I had a few questions and would really appreciate insights from people who’ve gone through this:

1. For those who didn’t match into fellowship initially:- Did you go straight into a waiver job?- Or did you take a research/chief year and reapply?
2. Is it realistically possible to reapply to cardiology during a waiver job, or is that very uncommon?

My goal is to pursue cardiology if possible, but I also want to have a solid backup plan to stay in the U.S. and not risk visa issues.

Would really appreciate any advice, timelines, or personal experiences.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m a PGY-2 Internal Medicine resident on a J1 visa (via ECFMG), planning to apply for cardiology fellowship next cycle.

I understand that cardiology is quite competitive, especially for J1 applicants, so I’m trying to plan ahead and avoid getting stuck without options.

I had a few questions and would really appreciate insights from people who’ve gone through this:

1. If I apply for cardiology in PGY-3 and don’t match in December, is it still realistic to secure a J1 waiver job (Conrad 30 or others) in time to start right after residency?

2. I’ve heard some people sign waiver jobs as early as the beginning of PGY-3 (or even earlier) just to be safe. Is this something you would recommend?

3. How competitive are J1 waiver hospitalist positions currently? Are there enough positions if someone is flexible with location?

4. For those who didn’t match into fellowship initially:

   - Did you go straight into a waiver job?

   - Or did you take a research/chief year and reapply?

5. Is it realistically possible to reapply to cardiology during a waiver job, or is that very uncommon?

My goal is to pursue cardiology if possible, but I also want to have a solid backup plan to stay in the U.S. and not risk visa issues.

Would really appreciate any advice, timelines, or personal experiences.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m a PGY-1 Internal Medicine resident on a J1 visa (via ECFMG), planning to apply for cardiology fellowship 2027 cycle.

I understand that cardiology is quite competitive, especially for J1 applicants, so I’m trying to plan ahead and avoid getting stuck without options.

I had a few questions and would really appreciate insights from people who’ve gone through this:

1. If I apply for cardiology in PGY-3 and don’t match in December, is it still realistic to secure a J1 waiver job (Conrad 30 or others) in time to start right after residency?

2. I’ve heard some people sign waiver jobs as early as the beginning of PGY-3 (or even earlier) just to be safe. Is this something you would recommend?

3. How competitive are J1 waiver hospitalist positions currently? Are there enough positions if someone is flexible with location?

4. For those who didn’t match into fellowship initially:

   - Did you go straight into a waiver job?

   - Or did you take a research/chief year and reapply?

5. Is it realistically possible to reapply to cardiology during a waiver job, or is that very uncommon?

My goal is to pursue cardiology if possible, but I also want to have a solid backup plan to stay in the U.S. and not risk visa issues.

Would really appreciate any advice, timelines, or personal experiences.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m a PGY-1 Internal Medicine resident on a J1 visa (via ECFMG), planning to apply for cardiology fellowship 2027 cycle.

I understand that cardiology is quite competitive, especially for J1 applicants, so I’m trying to plan ahead and avoid getting stuck without options.

I had a few questions and would really appreciate insights from people who’ve gone through this:

1. If I apply for cardiology in PGY-3 and don’t match in December, is it still realistic to secure a J1 waiver job (Conrad 30 or others) in time to start right after residency?

2. I’ve heard some people sign waiver jobs as early as the beginning of PGY-3 (or even earlier) just to be safe. Is this something you would recommend?

3. How competitive are J1 waiver hospitalist positions currently? Are there enough positions if someone is flexible with location?

4. For those who didn’t match into fellowship initially:

   - Did you go straight into a waiver job?

   - Or did you take a research/chief year and reapply?

5. Is it realistically possible to reapply to cardiology during a waiver job, or is that very uncommon?

My goal is to pursue cardiology if possible, but I also want to have a solid backup plan to stay in the U.S. and not risk visa issues.

Would really appreciate any advice, timelines, or personal experiences.

Thank you!