Need Advice Before I Make a Big Mistake

[binswanger]

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I'm in the process of filling out my ERAS for residency - my problem is I can't make up my mind on a residency- I've been clicking on all kinds of programs....... Initially, I wanted to ER then I thought about IM and some different sub-specialities, occasionally I think FP would be a nice life. I enjoy aspects of all. What are the drawbacks of a person like me just doing a transitional year to figure it (hopefully) out? Will I lose a year of funding for the residency I ultimately decide?? Will I shoot my self repeating an intern year? Anybody else had this problem?😕

 

[ckent]

I'd recc that you speak with an advisor about your indecision. To me, it doesn't sound like a transition year is going to do anything for you besides postpone the inevitable (making a decision). Remember that even if you do a transitional year, you will still have to apply at the beginning of your transitional year, so it's really not all that much more time to make your decision. Also, transitional year is like another third year of medical school, I don't see why anyone would want to endure that to be honest. A prelim year in medicine or a first year categorical internal medicine would probably be best for you in my opinion, at least the training would be more pertinent and possibly even applicable to anyone of the careers that you are considering. If I were you though, I'd make up my mind now. You probably are leaning one way or another, it might be useful to right down the pros and cons of doing each career, where you see yourself in 10-20 years, and also talk it over with a lot of people.

Here is a website that explains the payment thing:
http://www.aamc.org/members/orr/medicarepmt.pdf