5-year Combined Child Tracks - are they binding contracts?

[AvecMoi3]

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I have interviewed at a few 5-year Combined Child Tracks. They have separate NRMP codes and I have to rank them separately from their general track counterparts.

The thing is, my partner might have to move to a different city in 3 years and if that happens I'd like to move to a different program in that city for my child fellowship. I was wondering if these 5-year combined child tracks are binding contracts. Do I have to stay at the program for my fellowship if I match at one of these combined tracks? Would it cause any problem if I apply to a different program for fellowship?

Because if that's the case, I would have to rank the general tracks over the combined child tracks for the sake of flexibility. (My top choices for these combined tracks are UPMC and BWH - if anyone knows specifics about these programs please let me know)

Another question just out of curiosity: is it possible for someone in the combined track to switch to the general track during their PGY-1 or 2 years?

I'd really appreciate any input on this!

 

[autopoietic]

I'm only a fellow MS4, but they cannot be binding. My understanding is that residency is a year-by-year contract so there's no way can a program lock you in (or for us to legally pledge ourselves to a program) for more than one year at a time.

Many residents on the trail told me they themselves or classmates had switched from combined child to general tracks or matched to combined program and then ended up going elsewhere for fellowship.

You could potentially step on toes if a program has a culture that is gung-ho about keeping you for Fellowship (I didnt find any such cultures, despite interviewing at 4 combined child programs). I would email residents you met and hit it off with (particularly if they are on child combined tracks) to ask them how department would feel if you needed to move for Fellowship.

 

[hallowmann]

They can't be binding, as above, every year is a separate contract. It might annoy some people, but switching out of a combined track should be doable. Usually there's people in the categorical track that want to get into the combined track, so I wouldn't worry about.

 

[psychattending]

If you cannot commit to a 5-year combined program, then you should not be applying/ranking them. Apply to 4 year programs. When you have a better idea of whether you want to do child and where you might be living for PGY4, you can then apply to CAP programs. As split indicated your PD will need to write you a letter to transfer.