reality struck and i realized i don't want to do the speciality i matched in. i've heard of people switching specialities after their first year (e.g. reapplying during their intern year). So as long as u start the program, it's not a match violation to reapply during intern year? in that case, what if you have an honest talk with the PD about a change of mind, can you take the year off, not start the program and reapply to another speciality during that year? or even if the PD is ok with it, does he have to report it to nrmp? i can't seem to find the answer to this on their site.

From what I understand, people do this relatively frequently. Although, unless you suddenly hate was you used to think you wanted to do for the rest of your life, it is better to do a year and then switch. No lost wages, can start paying back debt, you learn a lot, and -hey- you might switch back again!

Respectfully, how could you have changed your mind already? What are you wanting out of and what do you now want to do? Curious.

reality struck and i realized i don't want to do the speciality i matched in. i've heard of people switching specialities after their first year (e.g. reapplying during their intern year). So as long as u start the program, it's not a match violation to reapply during intern year? in that case, what if you have an honest talk with the PD about a change of mind, can you take the year off, not start the program and reapply to another speciality during that year? or even if the PD is ok with it, does he have to report it to nrmp? i can't seem to find the answer to this on their site.

i have literally 3 close friends who were in the same position as you. one didnt want the city she chose, mostly b/c of significnant other, and the other2 wanted to switch specialties, they all told their PD , and made arrangements. my friend she took the year off, b/c she didnt want to be miserable, and taught part time until the next year. the others spoke to the pd and they helped them switch, before they started in july, it takes some phone calls and manuevering but it can be done., just speak to ur pd

noone wants to be sad or miserable for a year, if possible..

From what I understand, people do this relatively frequently. Although, unless you suddenly hate was you used to think you wanted to do for the rest of your life, it is better to do a year and then switch. No lost wages, can start paying back debt, you learn a lot, and -hey- you might switch back again!

Respectfully, how could you have changed your mind already? What are you wanting out of and what do you now want to do? Curious.

when u say people do it relatively frequently, r u referring to people taking the year off when the director is ok with them bailing out before they start? after more investigating, it appears that u have to technically start the year, then it's between the director and you (e.g. if he's ok with u jetting out a month into it, or whatever time, then nrmp has zero say.

in terms of speciality, i'll fess up and say it's ER. i'm not ready for a hyperadrenergic career, i can't explain why now i've realized that. i guess once it's in front of you, u're like: "****, what did i get myself into".

Gosh, I don't know which way it is done. I would think telling the PD the sooner the better so they can find a replacement. I think most people I know of did the one year and then switched - I don't know when they made the choice though. One person arranged it before starting so never started and took a year off.

Hey, maybe you are nervous now that it is in front of you and this is just like getting cold feet before a wedding. I don't know your situation, but is it possible that you are just nervous and want out? Why did you like ER in the first place? From what I understand ER doesn't have to be crazy and you can have some really cool hours.

Good luck whatever you do, but unless you are convinced you don't want to do it anymore - start the internship and see how it goes. You can always switch for PGY-2 and then you won't always wonder and there is less room for regret.
Seriously, good luck.

Just read your post, baf, and thanks as that made me feel better. glad to see there are people out there who can be understanding in terms of the PDs. i would imagine in these cases, the PDs just didn't report it to NRMP. i'm going to talk to one of the deans at my school, but i get the feeling she's going to tell me that i'm 'bound' to at least start the year. gosh, this sux!

any other's with personal experience or know about this issue?

any other's with personal experience or know about this issue?


If you start a program that you matched into and want to tranfer mid-year and your PD is willing to allow that, are you able to? Does anyone know of a situation where this "transfer" is allowed prior to when you start or is it a match violation no matter what the circumstances?

when u say people do it relatively frequently, r u referring to people taking the year off when the director is ok with them bailing out before they start? after more investigating, it appears that u have to technically start the year, then it's between the director and you (e.g. if he's ok with u jetting out a month into it, or whatever time, then nrmp has zero say.

in terms of speciality, i'll fess up and say it's ER. i'm not ready for a hyperadrenergic career, i can't explain why now i've realized that. i guess once it's in front of you, u're like: "****, what did i get myself into".

PM me. I just matched into EM after a year of FP.

If you start a program that you matched into and want to tranfer mid-year and your PD is willing to allow that, are you able to? Does anyone know of a situation where this "transfer" is allowed prior to when you start or is it a match violation no matter what the circumstances?

I have a friend who matched into EM last year, did 3 months of residency and decided she wanted to do OBGYN. So, she actually started the process to rematch, and ended being offered a position at our med school and left her EM program in February to start the OB program. So, I guess that means it can be done.