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I really appreciate any advice posted here.
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If I want to transfer to another program, should I quit first?
- Thread starter zhuzhumimi
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I would be careful about quitting if you don't have something lined up first. First, it's unlikely you'll get any credit if you don't finish your PGY-1. Then you'll have to reapply all over again. I would suggest you find a program first, then quit. What specialty are you in currently?
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Thank you very much for your reply.
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It's sort of a moot point now. I've got $20 riding on the program firing the OP on June 28th or so and refusing to provide an internship certificate unless s/he resigns.
To the OP, you should have lined up a transfer (complete with signed contract) before bringing this up with your clearly malignant program. To answer you question, no, it is not SOP to require you to resign mid-year when trying to transfer. They're trying to f*** you, plain and simple. And next year, another starry-eyed, ESL FMG will fill the spot you've got now and we'll be seeing a similar one-post wonder on SDN asking a very similar question.
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I don't think we have all the facts here, and the OP might be confused.
First of all, there is no such thing as "transferring" to a new program, just like you don't "transfer" to a new job. You would quit your old job, and then start a new job.
There are several ways to do this:
1. You could finish out the year in your current program, and then start July 1 in your new program.
2. You could quit now (or with "minimum notice" as you mentioned), and start in your new program now.
You seem to be talking about #2, and I can understand why your current program might be upset. This leaves them short an intern, and perhaps not with much chance of refilling the spot. That might leave your co-interns stuck with doing "your work" for the rest of the year. If you follow plan #1, at least the program could try to find a new PGY-2 at the beginning of the year.
It's also not clear to me whether your hometown program has a spot for you now, or if you're simply hoping that they have a spot. That raises the question of whether you have to quit your current position before looking for a new one -- which is usually not the case. You should be able to contact programs, interview, etc (of course, all on your "own time") and find a new spot. You then have one of the two options above.
If this doesn't answer your question, we'll need more details.
First of all, there is no such thing as "transferring" to a new program, just like you don't "transfer" to a new job. You would quit your old job, and then start a new job.
There are several ways to do this:
1. You could finish out the year in your current program, and then start July 1 in your new program.
2. You could quit now (or with "minimum notice" as you mentioned), and start in your new program now.
You seem to be talking about #2, and I can understand why your current program might be upset. This leaves them short an intern, and perhaps not with much chance of refilling the spot. That might leave your co-interns stuck with doing "your work" for the rest of the year. If you follow plan #1, at least the program could try to find a new PGY-2 at the beginning of the year.
It's also not clear to me whether your hometown program has a spot for you now, or if you're simply hoping that they have a spot. That raises the question of whether you have to quit your current position before looking for a new one -- which is usually not the case. You should be able to contact programs, interview, etc (of course, all on your "own time") and find a new spot. You then have one of the two options above.
If this doesn't answer your question, we'll need more details.
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Did some new family situation arise (illness, for example), or are you trying to relocate because you're homesick? If it's the latter, that would explain why your current program isn't too happy...because this is something that might have been anticipated pre-Match, and they don't like the fact that you're going to suddenly leave them in a tough spot.
As noted above, your options totally depend on whether or not a program in your family's hometown (1) has an open spot, and (2) whether it's a PGY-1 or PGY-2 spot.
As noted above, your options totally depend on whether or not a program in your family's hometown (1) has an open spot, and (2) whether it's a PGY-1 or PGY-2 spot.
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Thanks for your reply.
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Your mediocre English is making this tougher.
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Very informative! But still confused with one thing:
As far as I know, I need to get a letter of good standing from my PD to even start contacting other programs that I want to tranfer to, because they generally require a letter from my PD before they will consider taking me. Is that correct?
In that case, my PD will know my transfer intention before I know if other program can provide a spot for me. But if it turns out that I can't find a position, my PD will terminate the contract any way by the end of the year. Is that correct?
Thank you!
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Wait...didn't you just match...like last week? How do you know you want to transfer already?
Anyhoo, you can go ahead and contact any PD you want about available spots without telling your current PD. There's no "rule" regarding that. But yes, they are going to want to talk to your current PD at some point, so there's no way you're going to be able to just sneak out of your program and into another one. Your PD is going to know at some point...and if he hears it from another PD before he hears it from you...consider yourself completely f'd.
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Yes, if you are trying to transfer you are certainly taking a risk.
A program director cannot, to my knowledge, terminate you simply because you tried (unsuccessfully) to transfer.
However, there is the issue of contract renewal timing to think about. At my program, the contract renewal letters generally were placed in our mailboxes around January. But if you are trying to transfer, chances are you won't be notified about whether you are accepted until about February-March. If you sign that contract in January, it is a contract, so (barring any legal subtleties there might be which I don't know anything about) you have to follow through with your declaration to continue working at that program for another year.
It's neither fair nor unfair-- it's just how it is.
If the transfer system perfectly protected residents, then it would totally screw over program directors. (i.e., suppose you could tell your program director that you intend to continue in that program, and then in March once you find out that your transfer has been accepted to MGH, then you bolt-- that would give your program director 3 months to find a replacement. Not easy.)
