Need Advice

[zara234]

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I need as much advice as possible, please...

I really wanted to match in Anesthesiology, apply to about 30 some programs, got some interviews, but did not match in Anes i guess bc of my avg scores, but did match into a Int Med program.

My Q: I really donot want to pursue medicine as a career, but if i go with completing my PGY1 and then look for PGY2/CA1 seat, which are very limited, i am not sure what would be my chances of getting those prog,
vs. if i get a waiver/take a year off, reapply, but this time more broadly, and get more interviews hopefully and then also apply to another field such as pathology as a back-up, with similar credentials, but couple of research projects added,

which route should i pursue?

 

[belle54321]

I need as much advice as possible, please...

I really wanted to match in Anesthesiology, apply to about 30 some programs, got some interviews, but did not match in Anes i guess bc of my avg scores, but did match into a Int Med program.

My Q: I really donot want to pursue medicine as a career, but if i go with completing my PGY1 and then look for PGY2/CA1 seat, which are very limited, i am not sure what would be my chances of getting those prog,
vs. if i get a waiver/take a year off, reapply, but this time more broadly, and get more interviews hopefully and then also apply to another field such as pathology as a back-up, with similar credentials, but couple of research projects added,

which route should i pursue?

Realistically, I don't think you will be able to get a waiver from NRMP.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I'm going to second this opinion. "Not wanting to do Internal Medicine" is not going to be an acceptable reason for a waiver. In that case, you simply should not have ranked IM programs. Unless you have some other compelling reason, you will need to complete your PGY-1.

So, your options will be:

1. Try to find an off cycle CA-1/PGY-2 spot.
2. Apply in next year's match for a CA-1/PGY-2 spot (which will result in a gap year)
3. Complete IM training, then complete a critical care fellowship, which would allow you a practice that was similar to anesthesia

 

[zara234]

Thankyou for everyones advice, you are write, that if i wastnot interested in IM, i shoudl have never ranked those programs, but per the advice from my dean, it better than matching into any field vs not matching and then SOAPing into whatever program.

Q: if i complete PGY1 in IM, can i still apply next year thru NRMP for PGY1 spots in different specialties, such as Path as well as for Anes, next year for categoricals, while looking for PGY2 spots outside the match (ofcource with permission from my current PD)?

Also, does anyone know how the ResidentSwap.org website works? bc just to join, there is a fee, just want to know if it will be worth it, since it does have some path spots open, and i wouldn't mind doing that?

 

[Gastrapathy]

Thankyou for everyones advice, you are write, that if i wastnot interested in IM, i shoudl have never ranked those programs, but per the advice from my dean, it better than matching into any field vs not matching and then SOAPing into whatever program.

Q: if i complete PGY1 in IM, can i still apply next year thru NRMP for PGY1 spots in different specialties, such as Path as well as for Anes, next year for categoricals, while looking for PGY2 spots outside the match (ofcource with permission from my current PD)?

Also, does anyone know how the ResidentSwap.org website works? bc just to join, there is a fee, just want to know if it will be worth it, since it does have some path spots open, and i wouldn't mind doing that?

Based on your writing, I suspect you are not a native english speaker and therefore may be an IMG. If that's the case, take the bird in the hand. Lots of off-ramps from general IM after residency. Do the residency and pick a sub you like.

Don't violate the match or you could end up out in the cold big-time. You matched a categorical residency that YOU chose (not your dean, take some responsibility) so get on with it.

 

[mlw03]

I'm a pathologist, and I'll add that many program actively try and avoid taking candidates like yourself, that is, people who don't truly want to be pathologists but are doing it because they can't find anything better. think aPD's suggestion #3 is your best option.

 

[Law2Doc]

Thankyou for everyones advice, you are write, that if i wastnot interested in IM, i shoudl have never ranked those programs, but per the advice from my dean, it better than matching into any field vs not matching and then SOAPing into whatever program.

Q: if i complete PGY1 in IM, can i still apply next year thru NRMP for PGY1 spots in different specialties, such as Path as well as for Anes, next year for categoricals, while looking for PGY2 spots outside the match (ofcource with permission from my current PD)?

the answer to this question is yes, but I think aPD listed your best options. I would also add an option number 4 of completing your IM residency and doing anesthesia as a second residency -- not peoples favorite but the end result gives you a bit of a nice pedigree. Number 3 is my vote for your wisest path particularly if you are IMG.

 

[atsai3]

Similar to pathology, psychiatry gets a lot of applicants fitting zara234's profile. In our case it is not just because they can't find anything better but also because their applications are not competitive to get them into anything better. We try really, really hard to weed them out.

 

[zara234]

Thanks for everyone's reply, i am an AMG, for matching into Anes, i made a mistake of only applying to very competitive programs, i did get interviews from places live cleveland clinic and casewestern, but in terms of ranking, i think i was not a strong candidate for their program.

But can i apply next years again for PGY 1 spots even after finishing my intern year?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Thanks for everyone's reply, i am an AMG, for matching into Anes, i made a mistake of only applying to very competitive programs, i did get interviews from places live cleveland clinic and casewestern, but in terms of ranking, i think i was not a strong candidate for their program.

But can i apply next years again for PGY 1 spots even after finishing my intern year?

Yes, you can. But your IM PGY-1 will "count" towards a prelim year for anesthesia, so there isn't much value to repeating your PGY-1. You'd be better off applying for PGY-2 anesthesia spots, then working for a year. If you do apply for PGY-1 anesthesia spots, and you match, you'd be fine.

Of note, it may be difficult to interview while you're a PGY-1. Your program is unlikely to give you time off to interview. You'll likely need to use your vacation, and even then you might find it hard to have vacation at the time when interviews are happening.

 

[zara234]

Yes, you can. But your IM PGY-1 will "count" towards a prelim year for anesthesia, so there isn't much value to repeating your PGY-1. You'd be better off applying for PGY-2 anesthesia spots, then working for a year. If you do apply for PGY-1 anesthesia spots, and you match, you'd be fine.

Of note, it may be difficult to interview while you're a PGY-1. Your program is unlikely to give you time off to interview. You'll likely need to use your vacation, and even then you might find it hard to have vacation at the time when interviews are happening.

Thankyou so much