Extensions/Interruptions Panic

[premedpower8484848]

Hi all,

I’m reaching out in a bit of a panic. I certified my ERAS application a few days ago, following my school’s initial guidance on the question: “Have you had any unplanned professionalism or academic issues in your medical education or training that caused an interruption or extension?”

For context, I took a research year between my 3rd and 4th year. My school initially advised us to answer “yes” and provide an explanation using a standardized template if we took a research year.

However, yesterday my school sent an email clarifying that their original recommendation was based on the previous wording of this question, which was simply “Medical Education/Training Extended or Interrupted.” I’ve also spoken to colleagues from other schools who were told not to answer “yes” for a planned research year.

Now I’m concerned that my application could be flagged for answering “yes.” While I followed my school’s advice, I’m worried about whether program directors will be aware of this wording change from prior years and whether my response might negatively impact my application, despite providing a reasonable explanation.

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[medschoolaspirant]

One tick as yes is not going to make any difference as long as you mentioned it’s research year

 

[premedpower8484848]

Yeah, you should've ticked "no" and whoever sent that email at your school is incompetent.

Since you clarified that it was a research year and not being held back, you should be okay. You're probably not the only one who made that mistake this year.

I know last year everyone who took a research year answered yes to this question. However, the question was a little different.

My only concern is if schools automatically screen people who answer yes to this question.

I guess that’s unlikely?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Nobody is going to auto screen on this. The context is important

 

[premedpower8484848]

Nobody is going to auto screen on this. The context is important

Sounds good. So I should still be in good shape? I explained I took a year for research very clearly.

 

[operaman]

Seems unlikely.

If you want to be doubly sure, you could email the program coordinators where you applied with a short note explaining you checked yes on this item on advice from your school, but you certified before anyone realized the verbiage had changed from prior years and wanted to be sure they know there were no professional/academic issues, just a voluntary research year.

Probably overkill but maybe worth it if it helps you sleep better.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Sounds good. So I should still be in good shape? I explained I took a year for research very clearly.

You should be in good shape.

I generally chalk students' fears that they will be "screened out" for anything other than concrete and immutable red flags like step failures and failed clerkships to largely be unfounded. As you've clearly demonstrated, there are any number of reasons why someone might extend their training for non-academic reasons that have nothing to do with their ability to succeed as a resident. It would be foolish to screen on something like that and miss out on a potential good resident.

 

[premedpower8484848]

Seems unlikely.

If you want to be doubly sure, you could email the program coordinators where you applied with a short note explaining you checked yes on this item on advice from your school, but you certified before anyone realized the verbiage had changed from prior years and wanted to be sure they know there were no professional/academic issues, just a voluntary research year.

Probably overkill but maybe worth it if it helps you sleep better.

Funny thing is even after the change, my school still recommended us to to do it. No clue who’s right in this situation

 

[premedpower8484848]

Considering they made a very deliberate change to the verbiage between last year and this year, I reckon that your school is wrong. The wording this year is very explicitly "professionalism or academic issues". Last year was something like "if your education was interrupted for any reason".

I also reckon this change came about because so many students are taking research years and/or took time off due to covid/medical conditions, it was probably unhelpful to see this box marked so much.

You should really notify your dean or someone about whoever is recommending this. They're flat out wrong.

Funny thing is I emailed this to them and they replied that they still recommend putting it because it took 5 vs 4 years to graduate but it’s important to explain that you took a research year.