Hey all, I could really use some advice. Trying to stay anonymous for obvious reasons.
As an MS3, I was originally set on applying to Integrated Plastics. Had away rotations scheduled, was working on research, etc. Then I had an EM rotation late in MS3 and really liked it. I waffled between the two but ultimately chose EM. Now that I'm near the end of PGY1 I'm convinced I made (possibly) the biggest mistake of my life.
I liked Plastics for several reasons: the diversity of cases and procedures, mostly open surgical techniques (didn't care for laparoscopic/robotic as much), great outcomes that you can easily see, and mostly grateful/healthier patients. I enjoyed the OR but was honestly scared of an intense 6 year residency. EM as a student was great because I had more autonomy on those rotations and got to do plenty of procedures so I think that biased my decision. I've given EM nearly an entire year and it seems that it just isn't a great fit for me. I find myself thinking more and more about what life would be like in an Integrated Plastics residency and as a Plastics attending.
I'm in good standing at my program with great clinical evaluations from faculty and the highest score in my class on the in-service. My EM program is in a community hospital without an Integrated Plastics residency and there's only one nearby Integrated Plastics residency that takes 1 resident/year. My Step 1/Step 2 scores are well above average for Plastics, 265 and 270 respectively. I received excellent clinical grades in medical school and was elected to AOA. I do have some research but most of it is not Plastics specific (I have 1 Plastics book chapter that I helped with). Unfortunately, my medical school does not have a home Integrated Plastics program either.
How could I go about switching to Integrated Plastics? It obviously doesn't help that Plastics is one of the most competitive residencies. I was thinking about using an elective this year to maybe do a rotation at another program to get a letter of recommendation. I would prefer not to switch to Gen Surg with the plan of doing fellowship as it seems that Plastics fellowships are being phased out as well as the possibility of not matching and being stuck in Gen Surg which I don't enjoy as much. Or y'all can tell me that I'm being stupid and switching would be impossible. Either way, appreciate it!
-EMregrets
As an MS3, I was originally set on applying to Integrated Plastics. Had away rotations scheduled, was working on research, etc. Then I had an EM rotation late in MS3 and really liked it. I waffled between the two but ultimately chose EM. Now that I'm near the end of PGY1 I'm convinced I made (possibly) the biggest mistake of my life.
I liked Plastics for several reasons: the diversity of cases and procedures, mostly open surgical techniques (didn't care for laparoscopic/robotic as much), great outcomes that you can easily see, and mostly grateful/healthier patients. I enjoyed the OR but was honestly scared of an intense 6 year residency. EM as a student was great because I had more autonomy on those rotations and got to do plenty of procedures so I think that biased my decision. I've given EM nearly an entire year and it seems that it just isn't a great fit for me. I find myself thinking more and more about what life would be like in an Integrated Plastics residency and as a Plastics attending.
I'm in good standing at my program with great clinical evaluations from faculty and the highest score in my class on the in-service. My EM program is in a community hospital without an Integrated Plastics residency and there's only one nearby Integrated Plastics residency that takes 1 resident/year. My Step 1/Step 2 scores are well above average for Plastics, 265 and 270 respectively. I received excellent clinical grades in medical school and was elected to AOA. I do have some research but most of it is not Plastics specific (I have 1 Plastics book chapter that I helped with). Unfortunately, my medical school does not have a home Integrated Plastics program either.
How could I go about switching to Integrated Plastics? It obviously doesn't help that Plastics is one of the most competitive residencies. I was thinking about using an elective this year to maybe do a rotation at another program to get a letter of recommendation. I would prefer not to switch to Gen Surg with the plan of doing fellowship as it seems that Plastics fellowships are being phased out as well as the possibility of not matching and being stuck in Gen Surg which I don't enjoy as much. Or y'all can tell me that I'm being stupid and switching would be impossible. Either way, appreciate it!
-EMregrets