Discussing another field you initially planned on applying to in your personal statement?

[folgersormh]

I’m applying to Neuro this cycle but I was planning on applying to FM up until basically near the end of third year. In my first paragraph of my PS I mention very briefly that I wanted to apply to FM at first but found that Neuro had all the aspects I liked about FM plus I was more interested in the material + passionate about the current landscape and future of the field. The reason I feel like I should mention FM is because I have a lot of activities in my application that relate to FM, including a most meaningful experience being president of my school’s PCP Interest Group. Is this a bad idea?

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[GoSpursGo]

This is fine. Just don't dwell on it very long, and be careful about what you mean about "current landscape and future of the field" as you don't want it to sound like you chose neuro to avoid getting competition from APPs (that's where my mind immediately went). Focus on "why neuro," not "why not FM."

 

[dozitgetchahi]

This is fine. Just don't dwell on it very long, and be careful about what you mean about "current landscape and future of the field" as you don't want it to sound like you chose neuro to avoid getting competition from APPs (that's where my mind immediately went). Focus on "why neuro," not "why not FM."

I think if OP discusses things like new upcoming developments in neurology, how he’s fascinated by the potential of new research in neurology etc, that’s great.

I agree that you shouldn’t sound at all negative about FM, or spend much time expounding on the FM thing. You want to spend the bulk of the statement talking about why you think neurology is awesome, and why you want to do it.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I think if OP discusses things like new upcoming developments in neurology, how he’s fascinated by the potential of new research in neurology etc, that’s great.

Sure I agree, if that's what the OP meant that makes perfect sense. I'm just sharing where my mind immediately went, so the OP will want to be specific in explaining what they mean when they talk about these sorts of things in relation to neuro.

 

[Redpancreas]

I’m applying to Neuro this cycle but I was planning on applying to FM up until basically near the end of third year. In my first paragraph of my PS I mention very briefly that I wanted to apply to FM at first but found that Neuro had all the aspects I liked about FM plus I was more interested in the material + passionate about the current landscape and future of the field. The reason I feel like I should mention FM is because I have a lot of activities in my application that relate to FM, including a most meaningful experience being president of my school’s PCP Interest Group. Is this a bad idea?

The PS should be a story, albeit a credible one. This is probably fine. You could also explain or give some examples of what got you interested in Neurology, just don’t make FM the focus. I would mention it briefly and pivot quick.

Ex: Initially, I was attracted to FM for X reason, but after my neurology rotation I found out it offered XYZ and spend the rest of your PS on YZ.

 

[comp1]

I think any other specialty's residency application board is much less likely to notice FM stuff than other specialties. I'm guessing they'll appreciate the broad exposure of primary care. You'll certainly still be managing blood pressure and cholesterol, just after the bad stuff already happened. This just seems really different than having had some sort of major interest in ortho. As others said, focus on the positives of neuro and try you absolute best to avoid bringing up the negatives of other specialties.

 

[folgersormh]

This is fine. Just don't dwell on it very long, and be careful about what you mean about "current landscape and future of the field" as you don't want it to sound like you chose neuro to avoid getting competition from APPs (that's where my mind immediately went). Focus on "why neuro," not "why not FM."

I basically said “I was initially planning on FM but found Neuro to better align with my interests” in a less casual way lol.
And no by landscape I specifically say the current state of treatments and research, with more coming down the pipeline and how I want to contribute to it. No mention of APPs or job security etc

 

[folgersormh]

The PS should be a story, albeit a credible one. This is probably fine. You could also explain or give some examples of what got you interested in Neurology, just don’t make FM the focus. I would mention it briefly and pivot quick.

Ex: Initially, I was attracted to FM for X reason, but after my neurology rotation I found out it offered XYZ and spend the rest of your PS on YZ.

This is pretty much exactly what I said, that I came into med school thinking FM but found that Neuro had those aspects and more, and then I never mention FM again and only talk about neuro, without disparaging FM. Good to know that this is okay

 

[mvenus929]

For anyone else reading this thread - I think going from generalist to specialist in your activities and interest is fine, and explaining it should make sense.

If, however, your entire application was geared towards Neuro and now you're applying FM, you need to have a really, really good story, because PDs are going to assume that you're applying to FM as a backup - and PDs want to spend their time and attention to those who are more likely to come to their program.