application predicament

[BolderNewfy]

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So I am starting my PGY2 in internal medicine. I wont go in to detail regarding my situation but lets just say I really dislike internal medicine, but all last year I just kept "sticking it out" as I was unsure if I hated IM or it was just burn out from the hours. As intern year progressed I realized more and more that I fundamentally really dislike internal medicine and even as a job it is a terrible one. After much contemplation and realizing who I am as a person and my personality type I really think I would enjoy psychiatry. Long story short my program director found out I was unhappy and wanted to transfer into psych and we had a meeting around three weeks ago where I formally told him I would rather be in psychiatry. I signed my contract for PGY2 and he is making me stay this year, but I am trying to get my psychiatry app together for ERAS for 2013.

So here is my problem. I dont have any LORs from psychiatrists. I am doing a psych elective in september but at that point it will be too late to get an LOR as my ERAS app will need to be in by that time.

Also is it too late to call programs and just see if they have any open spots.
I feel like I am being pressured to just finish IM residency, but I feel like it will be a waste of my time and energy as I will be very unhappy working as an internist.

 

[splik]

i did not have 2 of my LoRs in until october so its not too late you don't have to have a complete application to get interviews. its not ideal, but definitely not a deal breaker.

 

[BolderNewfy]

what about calling programs. I know that programs have to be "all in " or "all out " of the match. anyone know the deadline for programs to take out of match residents. is it when eras opens in July or August?

 

[nutella12]

ERAS is open now, I started filling out my app the other day

 

[belle54321]

what about calling programs. I know that programs have to be "all in " or "all out " of the match. anyone know the deadline for programs to take out of match residents. is it when eras opens in July or August?

As far as I know, the all-in and all-out policy currently is only for PGY-1 or advanced programs that start as pgy-2. Unexpected out-of-spot positions tend to start July or Jan, but they can be start any time in cases of resident's illness, etc. Check the APA's clearing house for any open position. Last year, I also got an interview for a pgy-2 position from a post on SDN-they were looking for someone to start asap (in October). So, you can call around to see if there are any unfilled position. But if you signed the contract for your second year, you really don't want to upset your program by bailing on them; and not to forget a contract is a legal document. Most programs will need a letter from your current PD. So you need to stay on your PD's good side.


In the meantime, get your ERAS application together. It is important to submit your application on Sept 15 (new date this yr). You don't need all your letters when you apply-none of my letters were in last year on sept 1, and my first letter came in mid-sept. My first psych letter came in late sept-but I started getting interviews on sept 8.

In the meantime, get letters from IM attendings that you have worked with and can testify that you are a great doctor.