Would like some advice about my path to FM residency

[famfam]

Hey folks,

I’m a US-IMG that graduated just a few weeks ago. I’ve been interested in FM for a while now, but wasn’t able to secure a rotation until near the end of my clinical studies, and thought it would hurt my chances to apply without a letter from an FM attending. I have decent Step scores (>220 Step 1 and 2, first attempt, pass CS first attempt), am taking Step 3 ASAP, and am ECFMG certified. Honored my FM rotation with excellent eval and letter. Now my dilemma:

1) My plan was to apply this cycle for FM. My only hold up is that two of my LoRs are from 2011 (my FM LoR is from a couple months ago). I’m volunteering at a local clinic for the underserved and was planning on getting an LoR from there. Would that LoR be useful at all, or should I stick to the ones I already have? They are strong letters so I am hesitant to replace them. After interview season, I’m almost certain I’d have a job teaching clinical skills to students at my med school.

2) I’ve been offered a prelim PGY-1 position in IM at an institution where I rotated. That would be an extra LoR, but I don’t know how worth it that prelim year would be (possibly 2x intern year, time off for interviewing, DME/IME funding issues). It’d be possible to find a PGY-2 spot that opens up somewhere I guess, but I don’t know how feasible that is and I’d much rather go into FM.

Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks for any advice you may have.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[GOMERE]

1) I don't understand what your problem is, because I had 4 LOR onfile, and used 3 of them for each application. You say you have 2 LOR and could get a 3rd one but you think it'll replace one of the original 2. I don't think it will replace it, it will add to it. Some places require 3, some only 2. So I don't see what you would only want 2 when you can get 3.

2) If you want FM do FM. But if you can't do FM because can't find a position, then do the IM. Its actually not hard to find IM PGY2 because many people find they dont' want to do that after 1 year. Read the Book House of God. =)

 

[VenusinFurs]

I don't really see any point in taking the IM prelim year unless you'd rather do IM and would like to apply for a PGY2 position. If you want FM, I'm sure you'd match.