Pursuing fellowship training in colorectal surgery: a candidate's perspective.

Colorectal surgery is a fulfilling profession that has become more difficult to match into. There are many factors that go into choosing a career in colorectal surgery. Having a mentor as a colorectal surgeon, performing research in colorectal surgery, and being involved with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons are all important aspects in providing exposure to young surgeons in training and guiding them toward the field of colorectal surgery. Once the decision has been made, the application and interview process can be daunting. This article reviews salient points about the process I took in choosing colorectal surgery and the steps I took in applying and interviewing for my fellowship.