3rd year, recently interested in psych after planing for app in another field...what should I do to be competitive?

[throwaway1224]

I came into medical school planning on anesthesiology. As a result most of my leadership/research is within anesthesiology. However, having rotated on both during my third year, I feel psych is actually a better fit.

Stats:
USMD mid-tier SE school
Step 1: 220s
Class Rank: lower 1/3rd (really bad first year, very good since)

Research: 2 second author pubs anesthesiology (+ 3rd basically ready for submission, but now not sure if I should still submit it?), late author basic science pub (prestigious journal), 2 best of meetings (anesthesiology, family med)

Numerous anesthesia related leadership positions

How do I make myself competitive for psych programs (and not look like I'm applying as a back up to anesthesiology)? I really like research and would prefer to go somewhere that would support/foster this interest, but I'm also self aware so really anywhere not malignant will do.

tl;dr: planned for anesthesia, now thinking psych is likely a better fit. How do I proceed?

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[TexasPhysician]

My med school application initially appeared like another specialty as well. 4th year electives clearly displayed my psych plan. Not everyone knew they would become a psychiatrist since med school.

 

[throwaway1224]

My med school application initially appeared like another specialty as well. 4th year electives clearly displayed my psych plan. Not everyone knew they would become a psychiatrist since med school.

Thank you! So I should be fine as long as I schedule a couple psych electives early 4th year and do well?

 

[TexasPhysician]

Thank you! So I should be fine as long as I schedule a couple psych electives early 4th year and do well?

Yes.