Currently match but reapplying

[ghatz]

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Dear SDN members:

I was in the match this past year and did not match into plastics. Instead I matched into my back up ENT. This is at a respectable institution. Obviously, under the NRMP contract I am obligated to start with them. I have signed my internship contract and will be completing that year. However, I am contemplating reapplying to PRS through ERAS this year. I fully realize that this is not nice to the program but I wanted to know the legal ramifications of applying this year and then leaving the program.

When do I need to let my program director know? Please share your expertise!

 

[ghatz]

any help is much appreciated.. I would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, comments, etc.

 

[JackADeli]

I ...did not match into plastics...matched into my back up ENT.
...I have signed my internship contract and will be completing that year. ...reapplying to PRS through ERAS this year.
...I wanted to know the legal ramifications of applying this year and then leaving the program.
...When do I need to let my program director know?...

1. PRS & ENT are both quite competitive. Likely plenty of folks sitting in the wings waiting for an ENT position....may even have a surgery prelim at your program just waiting. Thus be very careful as your contract is only one year.
2. Your only "legal" obligation match or otherwise is to complete the year of your internship. But that is true about your program's obligation to you too. If your program believes that you are simply using them or passing time and do not have any true/sincere intent of completing the ENT program and obtaining board certification, they will need to sign someone else to your spot at the end of the year. They have no obligation to keep you space filling (after intern year) until you have made up your mind or succeeded in another match. See number 1. plenty folks waiting. ACGME/RRC looks at number that start, number that complete, and number that certify. PDs have an obligation to the program to maximize all these numbers with the hope of achieving 100% in all three categories.
3. You will have to notify your PD when the programs you are applying to ask you to (i.e. require a letter/etc...) and/or when contract renewal comes around.

JAD