number of years to apply for residency

[chipwhitley]

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Hi, I'm an MS4. Some of you may have read my prior post about changing careers. I don't plan to apply for residency and will be pursuing other opportunities. However, I was curious as to if there are any rules regarding applying after graduation. What I mean by that, is if two years later I change my mind and want to reapply to residency, can I do that. I realize that it will be difficult to secure a spot, but what I'm interested to know is if there is any rule that will prohibit me from doing this. I haven't been able to find anything despite searching both on this forum and on google.

 

[Phlox]

From looking at application criteria to apply this year, I did notice that some programs have something to the effect of "must be no more than X years past their graduation date from medical school," usually 3 years. Not all programs mention this on their websites, but may prohibit you from applying to at least some programs if you wait too long.

 

[chipwhitley]

From looking at application criteria to apply this year, I did notice that some programs have something to the effect of "must be no more than X years past their graduation date from medical school," usually 3 years. Not all programs mention this on their websites, but may prohibit you from applying to at least some programs if you wait too long.

Oh ok, that's good to know. Thanks.

 

[nothingelse]

Hey Chip, I'm thinking of the same thing. I asked my counselors at some point and they said that Step exams time out after 5 years. So 5 years after your step 1 (i.e. 3 years after you graduate, assuming you took it after MS2 year), you'd have to retake it. So I think you'd have to reconsider applying within 3 years of graduation.
I'll also PM you, because I'm pretty curious about your decision to not apply to residency. I'm an MS4 now, and I'm currently wrestling with the decision to apply or not, because it's a pain to apply for jobs and residencies at the same time.

 

[mvenus929]

Hey Chip, I'm thinking of the same thing. I asked my counselors at some point and they said that Step exams time out after 5 years. So 5 years after your step 1 (i.e. 3 years after you graduate, assuming you took it after MS2 year), you'd have to retake it. So I think you'd have to reconsider applying within 3 years of graduation.

For USMLE requirements, you don't need an intern year to take Step 3. You just have to have graduated from medical school. You should take Step 3 as soon as you can after graduating, as it will be out of the way and you don't have to worry about 1) forgetting everything you learned in medical school and 2) timing out as you allude to.