Deferring residency after I've matched?

[chris34]

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I've matched at my #1 choice, but am having very serious second thoughts about going straight into residency. I have a terminally ill family member and some other family issues I'm dealing with right now and I just don't think it would be a good idea for me to do residency given these circumstances. Does anyone know what the options are for postponing residency once I've matched to a program? We were told that the Match is a binding commitment; however, I've heard of people backing out of a commitment. Do programs ever allow you to defer for a year? I realize this poses an undue hardship on the program because they will be short an intern, but I really couldn't anticipate this happening and I really want to be at my best once I'm a resident. TIA for any advice.

 

[tangents]

Talk to your PD, it sounds like you have good reasons to defer.

 

[doc05]

you have good reasons to defer; but nonetheless this situation is very hard for the program too. If it's a lower-prestige program I suspect they might let you; but if it's a higher-profile program in say ortho or neurosurg, I doubt they would. good luck either way.