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- Sep 3, 2006
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I've been reading for a while and finally need some help that I can't find a good answer to elsewhere.
Like several folks in the past, I'm trying to decide between IM and PM&R. I've been about 50-50 since 1st year (I'm 4th year now). I know about combined programs, and am still considering that route. Whether they would consider me is another issue 🙂
But my question is about applying for multiple programs. My plan was to get my application out as early as possible, then hopefully after another month of PM&R in Oct, I would be able to make a decision and turn down any interviews in whichever field I ruled out. But unlike someone applying for categorical spots in IM and say radiology, rehab complicates matters by having 3 and 4 year programs. So I would be applying for PM&R spots, as well as prelim and categorical medicine spots. My impression that it is frowned upon, especially if the two disciplines are dissimilar. For me, I want to care for elderly patients in an inpatient setting, so I think they complement each other. But PDs might not. Will they think its fishy if I'm applying for prelim and cat spots even if they don't know about the PMR interest?
Unfortunately, not a lot of people around here that can give me good advice here beyond "you need to figure out which field is best for you". I hate to be forced into a life-altering decision based on 2 weeks of rehab becuase I can't get back there until later in the application process.
If this would be more appropriate in the general residency forum, I apologize in advance.
thanks for your input
Like several folks in the past, I'm trying to decide between IM and PM&R. I've been about 50-50 since 1st year (I'm 4th year now). I know about combined programs, and am still considering that route. Whether they would consider me is another issue 🙂
But my question is about applying for multiple programs. My plan was to get my application out as early as possible, then hopefully after another month of PM&R in Oct, I would be able to make a decision and turn down any interviews in whichever field I ruled out. But unlike someone applying for categorical spots in IM and say radiology, rehab complicates matters by having 3 and 4 year programs. So I would be applying for PM&R spots, as well as prelim and categorical medicine spots. My impression that it is frowned upon, especially if the two disciplines are dissimilar. For me, I want to care for elderly patients in an inpatient setting, so I think they complement each other. But PDs might not. Will they think its fishy if I'm applying for prelim and cat spots even if they don't know about the PMR interest?
Unfortunately, not a lot of people around here that can give me good advice here beyond "you need to figure out which field is best for you". I hate to be forced into a life-altering decision based on 2 weeks of rehab becuase I can't get back there until later in the application process.
If this would be more appropriate in the general residency forum, I apologize in advance.
thanks for your input