Just finished my first year and wonder if it would be too late for me to consider other competitive specialties

[DoctorInTraining2024]

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Title sums it up. Just finished my MS1 year at a T15 and during this year I have been working hard towards ortho. I networked with ortho mentors and got on a few ortho projects which has led to one publication that is being submitted and 2 others that are getting ready for submission. I went into med school thinking ortho would be want I want to do. I wasn't 100% sure but it's a competitive specialty and I heard you should start early. We never got to shadow until April of this year when we were all vaccinated so I was like "Might as well get started just in case I like it so I'll be ready".

However, now that I can actually shadow. I am curious about specialties like palstic surgery, dermatology, anesthesiology, opthalmology, ENT, and pretty much a lot of specialties that are also competitive.

Am I screwed if I didn't get a head start in doing research in those fields? I've heard that if you wanna do competitive specialties you need to be locked in their research since day 1. However, I also heard this is a misconception and have been encouraged by advisors and students who matched in those fields that it's okay if I want to switch out of ortho to another competitive specialty. I want to ask SDN to see people's thoughts.

The pros I have going for me are that I was productive and working hard towards ortho which netted me publications and pushed me to do other ECs. The con is that if I go into something else, will they be upset to see that I have ortho pubs vs all pubs in their field since day 1. I've heard this is a misconception but want to hear any thoughts that are out there.

I am still very interested in ortho but I have yet to explore a lot of specialties since we literally weren't allowed into hospital until a month ago and I want to know if I could switch if I saw something else that interested me.

 

[M&L]

Oh my god, of course they won’t be upset . You just finished MS1. You are allowed to change your mind . It’s totally fine !!!

consider exploring more broad topics- for example , start doing cancer research . You can “sell it” to more specialities .

 

[Redpancreas]

Title sums it up. Just finished my MS1 year at a T15 and during this year I have been working hard towards ortho. I networked with ortho mentors and got on a few ortho projects which has led to one publication that is being submitted and 2 others that are getting ready for submission. I went into med school thinking ortho would be want I want to do. I wasn't 100% sure but it's a competitive specialty and I heard you should start early. We never got to shadow until April of this year when we were all vaccinated so I was like "Might as well get started just in case I like it so I'll be ready".

However, now that I can actually shadow. I am curious about specialties like palstic surgery, dermatology, anesthesiology, opthalmology, ENT, and pretty much a lot of specialties that are also competitive.

Am I screwed if I didn't get a head start in doing research in those fields? I've heard that if you wanna do competitive specialties you need to be locked in their research since day 1. However, I also heard this is a misconception and have been encouraged by advisors and students who matched in those fields that it's okay if I want to switch out of ortho to another competitive specialty. I want to ask SDN to see people's thoughts.

The pros I have going for me are that I was productive and working hard towards ortho which netted me publications and pushed me to do other ECs. The con is that if I go into something else, will they be upset to see that I have ortho pubs vs all pubs in their field since day 1. I've heard this is a misconception but want to hear any thoughts that are out there.

I am still very interested in ortho but I have yet to explore a lot of specialties since we literally weren't allowed into hospital until a month ago and I want to know if I could switch if I saw something else that interested me.

It’s ideal to know what you want to do but most don’t or change their mind in medical school. First year is a very viable time to do that.

 

[AzBasRad]

Am I screwed if I didn't get a head start in doing research in those fields? I've heard that if you wanna do competitive specialties you need to be locked in their research since day 1.

You won't be screwed. What you've heard is not correct.

The con is that if I go into something else, will they be upset to see that I have ortho pubs vs all pubs in their field since day 1. I've heard this is a misconception but want to hear any thoughts that are out there.

You're correct that it's a misconception.

Your title says you're an MD/PhD student. In that case, you really have 4-5 years to make up your mind. Most medical students change their minds in MS3 while going through clinical rotations. If you are an MD/PhD student, you will be a strong candidate in any competitive field.

You have the right mindset of exploring all of the competitive fields in your pre-clinical years. After you find your choice, find mentors and jump into research projects. If your ortho mentors get upset with you (as an MS1/2) switching fields, they were not good mentors to begin with. When I switched from IM to Rads at the end of my MS3, all of my IM mentors were extremely supportive (which is one of ways I knew I had excellent mentors).

consider exploring more broad topics- for example , start doing cancer research . You can “sell it” to more specialities .

This is excellent advice from @M&L and can be utilized if you're between 2 or more competitive fields.

 

[Dral]

I'm in derm and didn't figure it out until the beginning of 4th year.

Deep breath. 😉

 

[Lem0nz]

You’re doomed. Abort. Abort! DO NOT SWITCH.

The alternatives will lead to your ddddooooommmm.

🎶 *ominous music* 🎶

 

[Banco]

Bruh please, you have plenty of time.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Med student neuroticism is a thing. You just finished M1. You’re fine.

 

[Frogger27]

You have plenty of time. I matched a competitive surgical specialty after doing research in a different surgical field for the first 2+ years. Once you decide what field you want to pursue, do what you have been doing for ortho (research, network, etc) and you will be fine.