Advice for PGY-1

[Avefenix]

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I unfortunately did not match into ENT last year in March so I scrambled into a preliminary surgery position. I tried to accomodate my intern schedule as much as possible to an ENT's, but I'm lacking neurosurgery and anesthesia. I don't know if that will affect my chances when I apply to PGY-2 positions. Once ERAS opens I'll be applying to ENT PGY-1 and PGY-2 spots. I would appreciate any advice you guys can offer on how to improve my chances. I met and spoke with the ENT chair at my current institution and requested my elective to be in ENT early in the year. Thanks.

 

[Leforte]

Spots do open up as the year goes on .

Some places get approved by the ACGME for increased # of residents, some people quit or change fields and some people get in trouble and have licensing issues. A program with a vacancy is looking to fill the spot for man-power issues. They will work with you if you are close to the new ENT intern year requirements (say instead of 6 months of research, you get 4 and spend the other 2 in intern requirements).

Be proactive, too. Our residency director gets several solicitations for potential open residency spots per week!

Keep a lookout at otomatch.com for these openings as they come up.

Also, ensure that any short-comings that may have led to not matching are addressed. Unless of course it was the interview, but that's another story.

 

[resxn]

LeForte's last statement is what I agree with most. I don't think that the rotations you do as an intern will affect your "quality" of application back to ENT. What will, however, is when your current attendings go to bat for you saying you were God's gift to the program because you worked your butt off which I'm sure you did realizing that the only thing you'll really have to show for yourself is the asset you can be to the programs that denied you previously.

 

[Avefenix]

Thanks for the advice. I plan to definitely work as hard as I can this year. I already requested an elective month in ENT with the intention of getting a letter from the Dept. Chair. With regard to the last comment, the only thing I can sell at this point is my dedication and work ethic.