is it appropriate to approach the program director at my own school?

[bhop]

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I would like to stay at my own school for Pediatrics Residency. I am by all measures average. I did high pass in Pediatrics clerkship and medicine but passes in ob-yn, neruo, surgery and psych. My step 1 is 223 and no step 2 yet. Is it appropriate to go to the PD at my own school and tell him/her that I really want to stay at my home school. Has anyone done this? What is a smooth way of pulling this off? Please helP!!!!!

 

[michigangirl]

What year are you? 3rd year? 4th year? have you met your program director, and have they ever worked with you? Is this a "big" peds program (>15 residents/class), moderate or very small?

Need more data to figure out the best approach. Either way, of course you can approach your program director! Just need to figure out where you're at in the process and if you have any relationship with them to figure out the best way to go about it.

Relax! It's gonna be fine!

 

[Lizzy Wurtzel]

Our peds residency is pretty small (around 9/year). I worked with my PD for 1 week, as she was a hospitalist. We also (arranged through pediatrics interest group) have 3 meetings with the PD and Peds chair to discuss things like writing personal statements, applying, and getting letters of rec. Through this process I got to know the PD formally. We aren't on first name basis and I think she'd probably have to look at my name tag still to remember my name, but I also go to know her personality. I would have no problem going to her and saying "I have *insert personal reason*... and I really like your program." I think if you tell them they are your first choice and you are going to rank them first, they will look at that favorably. But I would not ask them for a commitment. That, I think, would be overstepping your boundries.

Good Luck!

 

[twilightdoc]

I would like to stay at my own school for Pediatrics Residency. .... Is it appropriate to go to the PD at my own school and tell him/her that I really want to stay at my home school. Has anyone done this? What is a smooth way of pulling this off? ..

I would start by talking with a trusted Peds faculty member, ideally someone who has some insight into the program and knows the PD pretty well, to get a realistic assessment of how "competitive" your application is for your program in a "normal" year. I don't think that it is a bad thing to talk directly to the PD later, but you don't want to seem too needy or desperate, or that you are pushing for an unofficial commitment. And it is good to apply to and interview at other places, partly to satisfy yourself that staying at your program was a good idea. That also will allow you to say that you looked at other programs and are even more convinced that your program is "the right one" for you.

While you don't want to appear too needy, you also need to make your interest known. If you don't, that might be perceived as a sign that you aren't interested in staying and are definitely planning on going elsewhere for your residency.

 

[deleted311769]

Do you have any one-on-one meetings with the PD for residency application advice? Everyone at my school meets with the PDs for guidance on where to apply, how competitive they are, comments on their personal statement, etc. That seems like the obvious time to say forthright that you are most interested in staying where you are: "So, what kinds of things are you most looking for in a program?" "well, I'm interested in programs with x,y,z qualities, and I very interested in staying here for those reasons and also because <insert your reason here>, I want to stay in this city."

 

[oldbearprofessor]

I would like to stay at my own school for Pediatrics Residency. I am by all measures average. I did high pass in Pediatrics clerkship and medicine but passes in ob-yn, neruo, surgery and psych. My step 1 is 223 and no step 2 yet. Is it appropriate to go to the PD at my own school and tell him/her that I really want to stay at my home school. Has anyone done this? What is a smooth way of pulling this off? Please helP!!!!!

Of course you can and should. Approach them the same way you would anyone else. Explain your interests, reasons, etc. Ask them about rotations you should do during your fourth year.

You'll likely match there. Few programs don't like to take their own unless they are a real loser. High pass in pedi and 223 is a winner for almost all (probably all) home programs.

 

[JMMH]

I agree. Unless a disproportionate number of people in your class want to stay, you have an advantage of being an internal candidate. Definitely express your interest and talk with members of the faculty that you know well so they will help support your application.

Most program directors will also advise you to take a look around just to make sure you get a feel for other places, etc. I wouldn't read into it very much.