MS4 asks - the politics of residency apps? (already?)

[SBlanc]

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Not sure if this is the most appropriate forum for this question, but I wanted to get feedback from recent med school graduates, so here goes...

I'm just starting my MS4 year, and already I'm feeling the pressure behind the charged questions like "where do you want to go?" for residency. Of course I understand that programs will try to play it so they fill their spots without going as far down on their lists as possible and all that... But already my home program is trying to guage my attitude about them - both directly in my meetings with faculty (to which of course I say they're my top choice -- which at this point could not possibly be false, as I've never visited another program!) and indirectly through the current residents and such. It's like they have a typical number of spots they "reserve" for home students in the incoming class, and it feels like they're already trying to see who to "give" these to.

But not only that - at the same time I'm starting to feel the heat from classmates going into the same specialty as well. Like if you tell someone you're doing an away rotation in New York, you're not allowed to say that you're also interested in the home program. "But, you want to go to NYC! That's not fair!"

I mean, I knew this stuff was coming, I guess I just didn't think I'd start facing it this early in the process. It's a competitive specialty and safe to say that some of my classmates applying for it have reason to be genuinely concerned about not matching.

Anyone have similar experiences/helpful advice? I can be all political and vague if needed, but it just makes me feel sort of icky - like I wish I could just be frank with everyone ("Hey, I'd love to go to NYC, but if that doesn't work out, I'd definitely settle for Home Program").

What's best to do at this point? From a "political" standpoint it seems like the best idea would be to tell everyone that I want to stay here, until further notice... I talked to another resident about this (in a different field) who said "Applying to residency is a game, but it is NOT a team sport." Sigh.

 

[werewethere]

Don't talk about it, just do your rotations, express interest in the programs, including your home program, because they are the field you want to be in. Get your letters if you don't already have them. "Accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives." Relax, enjoy what you can of the experience, because trying to control the politics of the process is beyond you or any other individual. You'll get your chance for more politics when interview season rolls around and you have to do your rank order lists and decide who you want to thank and rank.

 

[elizabeth5863]

It's a competitive specialty and safe to say that some of my classmates applying for it have reason to be genuinely concerned about not matching.

Anyone have similar experiences/helpful advice? I can be all political and vague if needed, but it just makes me feel sort of icky - like I wish I could just be frank with everyone ("Hey, I'd love to go to NYC, but if that doesn't work out, I'd definitely settle for Home Program").

I definitely would not tell your fellow classmates who are interested in the same specialty '"Hey, I'd love to go to NYC, but if that doesn't work out, I'd definitely settle for Home Program."' This might get back to the residents/attendings at your home program who are in that field, and might hurt your chances. I recall, 2 years ago during my first rotation as an M3, residents talking about the med students at my home institution who would be the best candidates for their particular field. Lack of interest could hurt your chances. So, I agree with the above post and would continue expressing interest in your home program. Good luck!

 

[sophiejane]

Anyone have similar experiences/helpful advice? I can be all political and vague if needed, but it just makes me feel sort of icky - like I wish I could just be frank with everyone ("Hey, I'd love to go to NYC, but if that doesn't work out, I'd definitely settle for Home Program").

I totally understand your feelings--I'm not a game-player at all. I'm brutally honest and it has hurt me in the past, but most of the time it has helped me. Last year, I learned quickly to not be so honest, to be political and vague, and sometimes to tell little white lies.

Like you said, it's your top choice (but so far you haven't seen any other programs!)....perfect response.

I actually wasn't set on a specialty, much less a program at this time last year. I did away rotations in several different fields, and learned to say things like, "I'm seriously considering a career in XX, and your program is definitely in the running for me." It's not a lie at all, even if I hated the program, it was still technically an option.

It's icky and slimy but just this once, you gotta throw yourself into the game with all you've got, because the prize at the end is all that matters.

Best of luck.