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deleted1063705
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A LOA in and of itself is not a red flag per se. People have personal stuff go down all the time and take LOA's. I took 1 mos off in residency for personal reasons, and nothing adverse happened. Lower grades and scores are not a deal breaker either unless you fail something. I know people who had similar stories to yours and ultimately matched. Nowhere particularly good, but at a certain point a residency is a residency. Yes, psych is getting more competitive, but if you apply super-broadly and aim for less competitive programs I think you can match. Feel free to PM me to discuss more.
On ERAS, I would keep your explanations of why you took time off brief - just "personal and family issues." If someone asks you to elaborate at an interview, have a response ready that does not over-share, does not attempt to make excuses, and describes the situations leading to the leave in a "just the facts" sort of tone. For instance, "I was in an unhealthy relationship but did not have it in me to leave. I was in a situation where I had to take a job to support my family, and I struggled to balance that with school." I'd really leave the descriptions and explanations at that, and focus on what you learned from the experience, what you've done to rectify those situations or make up for them, what you would do differently in the future. Avoid placing blame. Own your mistakes or shortcomings, but avoid beating yourself up excessively. The bottom line is, stuff happens. People make mistakes and fall short. Show you've learned from the experience, and it will be less likely to be held against you.
On ERAS, I would keep your explanations of why you took time off brief - just "personal and family issues." If someone asks you to elaborate at an interview, have a response ready that does not over-share, does not attempt to make excuses, and describes the situations leading to the leave in a "just the facts" sort of tone. For instance, "I was in an unhealthy relationship but did not have it in me to leave. I was in a situation where I had to take a job to support my family, and I struggled to balance that with school." I'd really leave the descriptions and explanations at that, and focus on what you learned from the experience, what you've done to rectify those situations or make up for them, what you would do differently in the future. Avoid placing blame. Own your mistakes or shortcomings, but avoid beating yourself up excessively. The bottom line is, stuff happens. People make mistakes and fall short. Show you've learned from the experience, and it will be less likely to be held against you.
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For everyone else reading this, take note.
If you go to medical school, you have to be all in. Your medical education comes first. If there's a partner who is toxic, leave. If you have a job and it's pulling down your grades, take a LOA ASAP or beg/borrow/sell your kidney so you can have money and still be all-in with your studying. If you have family who need your help, the best help you can give them is by working your darndest to become a doctor - THEN you can use your 6 figure salary to help them. You can also moonlight quite lucratively once you become a resident. Don't work for ten bucks an hour in medical school unless it's research or something medical that looks good on a resume, it's not worth it. Set limits with others. It is a skill you'll need in doctoring, too.
If you go to medical school, you have to be all in. Your medical education comes first. If there's a partner who is toxic, leave. If you have a job and it's pulling down your grades, take a LOA ASAP or beg/borrow/sell your kidney so you can have money and still be all-in with your studying. If you have family who need your help, the best help you can give them is by working your darndest to become a doctor - THEN you can use your 6 figure salary to help them. You can also moonlight quite lucratively once you become a resident. Don't work for ten bucks an hour in medical school unless it's research or something medical that looks good on a resume, it's not worth it. Set limits with others. It is a skill you'll need in doctoring, too.
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deleted1063705
Thank you for taking your time and for your thoughtful response. I really appreciate it! I will heed your advice and not share too much on ERAS and interviews; I feel like I already shared too much here!
Your posts are spot-on. In retrospect, a lot of the decisions that I have made thus far in medical school have been stupid and short-sighted. I only have myself to blame for everything that has happened and won't make any excuse for them. That's the least I can do. As time will tell, I have definitely learned from this experience and emerged as a more resilient, self-loving, and stronger person.
As for the application, I will be applying super-broadly and don't mind getting matched anywhere in the US as I will be extremely happy to be in any psychiatry program. Thank you so much for your help! It means a lot! 🙂
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Also, keep with the therapy. Staying with an abusive partner who you describe as borderline worries me for you. Stay in therapy and work on yourself not having to be the savior for everyone else and trying to fix them. If you go into psychiatry you’re going to have to work on not needing to be a savior because you’ll have a horrible time and burn yourself out.
To be honest if you told me this story as a resident I would advocate to not take you because you’ve taken multiple leave of absences for family/personal issues. I’d worry you’d leave us hanging if something else came up.
To be honest if you told me this story as a resident I would advocate to not take you because you’ve taken multiple leave of absences for family/personal issues. I’d worry you’d leave us hanging if something else came up.
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deleted1063705
Thank you for your advice! 🙂 I have been keeping with the therapy as well and trying my best to look after myself instead of needing to be a savior. I certainly don't want to burn myself out and take any more LOA.
As for LOA, I only took one LOA so far--sorry for the wording of my previous post. I have been doing everything I can to make sure this will be the first and last LOA I will have to take. Nonetheless, I totally understand where you are coming from as it will be frustrating and difficult to work with colleagues who constantly call out sick or take LOAs.
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Ah that’s better, I thought you took one earlier on and then took a second during M4 applying to the match.
Anyway, good luck!
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deleted1063705
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deleted1063705
I'm sorry to revive this thread but... should I be applying to FM/IM as well?
I'm planning to apply to mid/low-tier academic programs/community programs throughout the contiguous US.
I won't be applying to any programs in Cali nor any top-tier/academic/university-affiliated programs in competitive cities like Boston, NY, and Chicago.
I'm planning to apply to mid/low-tier academic programs/community programs throughout the contiguous US.
I won't be applying to any programs in Cali nor any top-tier/academic/university-affiliated programs in competitive cities like Boston, NY, and Chicago.
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