Late to the game (MS4)

[Monkeibusiness]

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Hi all!

I'm an MS4 who has been preparing to apply to radiation oncology but now 2 weeks into my rotation I realize it is definitely not for me. I have 2 more weeks on this rotation and then another month doing an away. I've always been interested in dermatology as a back-up option in case I didn't like radonc and now am scrambling to see if I can make it work.

My numbers:
P/F for the first 2 years.
Step 1: low 260's
Step 2: haven't taken yet.
Clinical rotations: honored 3 (internal, surgery, psych), not going to get AOA
Research:
3 radiation oncology specific projects, 2 abstracts with 2 poster presentations and potentially 1 first author paper (still in the process of writing/submitting).

Unfortunately I have nothing on my record showing an interest in dermatology. I would absolutely be willing to take a year off to do dermatology. I genuinely think it is the career for me so this is not a problem. My questions are:

1) Am I too late to the game to make this a reality?

2) I don't have a derm rotation yet and because of my rad onc away wouldn't have one until August or September. I was thinking I would complete the rotation and then taking the rest of the year off for research. Is this a realistic option or would it be too late at that point to take a year off?

3) Thoughts on funding options at this point? How many projects should I be aiming to complete? I try and find some non-funded projects and then pick up funding for projects starting early next year.

This has been a really stressful couple weeks trying to figure this out so I would be really grateful for any advice/opinions. Thanks!

 

[dermie1985]

Why do you think Rad-Onc is not for you? People have specialty interest switches all the time in medical school, so I understand, but just want to make sure you're "jumping ship" for the right reasons.

If you're really serious about this, I'd consider canceling your away. No point in doing an away rotation in a field you aren't going to apply into. Replace it with a derm elective and confirm whether derm is really the alternative you think it is. Might be a scheduling issue, but I'd just meet with your Dean and see if they can work their magic. Find a derm mentor (or just talk to the derm clerkship director) to discuss whether applying this cycle or scrambling to do a research year starting in the Fall is the better option. You'll need their advice/guidance/support/etc. no matter what option you choose. Might be best to do this at the end of a derm elective so you can (intelligently) talk about why you think this switch is right for you.

 

[smartparts]

if you are serious about taking a year off, i would do so before you graduate. ive been told seniors have better results than recent grads. maybe others can weigh in on whether theyve heard this too?

 

[asmallchild]

if you are serious about taking a year off, i would do so before you graduate. ive been told seniors have better results than recent grads. maybe others can weigh in on whether theyve heard this too?

Yes, the year off is more beneficial before you graduate as compared to after

 

[asmallchild]

Hi all!

I'm an MS4 who has been preparing to apply to radiation oncology but now 2 weeks into my rotation I realize it is definitely not for me. I have 2 more weeks on this rotation and then another month doing an away. I've always been interested in dermatology as a back-up option in case I didn't like radonc and now am scrambling to see if I can make it work.

My numbers:
P/F for the first 2 years.
Step 1: low 260's
Step 2: haven't taken yet.
Clinical rotations: honored 3 (internal, surgery, psych), not going to get AOA
Research:
3 radiation oncology specific projects, 2 abstracts with 2 poster presentations and potentially 1 first author paper (still in the process of writing/submitting).

Unfortunately I have nothing on my record showing an interest in dermatology. I would absolutely be willing to take a year off to do dermatology. I genuinely think it is the career for me so this is not a problem. My questions are:

1) Am I too late to the game to make this a reality?

2) I don't have a derm rotation yet and because of my rad onc away wouldn't have one until August or September. I was thinking I would complete the rotation and then taking the rest of the year off for research. Is this a realistic option or would it be too late at that point to take a year off?

3) Thoughts on funding options at this point? How many projects should I be aiming to complete? I try and find some non-funded projects and then pick up funding for projects starting early next year.

This has been a really stressful couple weeks trying to figure this out so I would be really grateful for any advice/opinions. Thanks!

1) Definitely not. Your academic background is good enough that you can certainly try risking a switch even this late in the game. If you are willing to take a year off, your odds improve significantly (of course, this is not an option for everyone)

2) I don't know about the timing for taking a year off. You'll need to ask around to see when most medical students apply for their research year. Is your rotation to see if you are interested in derm?

3) Unfortunately most of the research programs I've come across are unpaid options. It's certainly possible to try to apply for a funded research position but you may find the deadlines have already passed. It isn't about the number of projects but rather which group you latch on with. I would pick a program that is affiliated with a derm residency, that has a history of matching their research fellow, that has a history of supporting and matching their fellow elsewhere if not within their own program, and that has the biggest names attached to that program

 

[FIREitUP]

It's not too late to find a research position. I searched last year in August and was able to get several (unpaid) position offers.

 

[tvelocity514]

It's not too late to find a research position. I searched last year in August and was able to get several (unpaid) position offers.

Just curious but if you do get an unpaid research year, how do you afford the cost of living? Do you find a side job? Or can you somehow take out more "school" loans ?

 

[FIREitUP]

Just curious but if you do get an unpaid research year, how do you afford the cost of living? Do you find a side job? Or can you somehow take out more "school" loans ?

loans, parental help. it's much easier to go to a place with a low cost of living as opposed to going to NY or SF where your rent alone will be >$1k per month.