I am a current current PGY1 in a categorical position, and I want to re-apply in the match this year to get another PGY1 at a certain location so I can be with my future fiance, who is also a resident. Any advice on how to achieve this the best way? I also dont' want to ruin my chances of having a job next year if my plan does not go through for some reason. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
PGY1 reapplying, advice needed
- Thread starter ORnut
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How exactly are you planning on asking for time off to interview without people finding out?
How confident are you that you can get a training program in this location of your choice? Don't you think programs that you are applying to might want to know how you've preformed as an intern? Hard to completely act like you first match never happened and only have letters from med school. Funding might also be an issue as you will end up a year "short" and that might turn off some programs.
I'd suggest that you have a lot to lose by this proposition. It would seem nearly impossible to hide without your new programs just thinking you are a bad apple. No documentation at all from your current program would make me think you were just a malcontent or incompetent if I were a PD.
I think you could pull it off but it'll be tricky and you might wind up with nothing.
How confident are you that you can get a training program in this location of your choice? Don't you think programs that you are applying to might want to know how you've preformed as an intern? Hard to completely act like you first match never happened and only have letters from med school. Funding might also be an issue as you will end up a year "short" and that might turn off some programs.
I'd suggest that you have a lot to lose by this proposition. It would seem nearly impossible to hide without your new programs just thinking you are a bad apple. No documentation at all from your current program would make me think you were just a malcontent or incompetent if I were a PD.
I think you could pull it off but it'll be tricky and you might wind up with nothing.
N
njbmd
You need to discuss this with your current PD. No program is even going to consider you if you don't have the backing of your current PD. Wanting to be close to a loved on is a legitimate reason for wanting to change programs but have an honest and frank discussion with your PD. You need to indicate that you are not discontent with your present program but only with its location (far from your fiancé).
You also need to understand that while you have a legitimate reason for wanting to change programs, you are taking a huge risk. There are no guarantees that the program you seek to enter, will pick you up especially since you have used one of your categorical years. Just be sure that the risk to benefit ratio is in your favor. You don't want to create a situation that will become unbearable in the future especially if you start to encounter difficulties in your present program.
Also be aware that if your fiancé is a resident, even being in the same house will not necessarily increase the amount of time that you can spend with each other. Sometimes the distance at this stage in your respective careers is not an "all bad" situation. In any event, you NEED the backing of your current PD, some good LORs from faculty who have worked with you and some excellent ABSITE scores. Good luck!
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I agree with the others: there is little to no way to go through the match or otherwise look for a position without involving your current PD.
Obviously this must be played wisely, as you don't want to burn any bridges, should the programs in the other city not be interested in you. As noted above, you have used a year of your GME funding; many programs will not be interested in getting less money for you.
I might start by inquiring of those local programs as to whether or not its something they would even consider. If the answer is no, I'd probably not apply.
A piece of advice if I may: there are many places and many faculty who are still not wholely fond of women in surgery. Mentioning that you want to leave for a "future fiance" is not likely to be well received. I'm not suggesting you lie, but frankly, "future fiance" = boyfriend until you have a real proposal, a ring, etc. I can imagine that most PDs would question your commitment to your career if you are planning on leaving a program you matched to for a boyfriend...serious one or not. Female residents leave surgery programs at higher rates than males. Faculty are sensitive to this and many think that women have less of a commmitment. Add to it the belief that you would leave for a BF and your program is going to think it a bit flaky. If they are so inclined, they may start looking for any reason to get rid of you, assuming you will leave anyway.
Therefore, you must make it apparent that you are a hard worker, that you love the program but that you need to leave for personal reasons. It would be nice if all PDs had your best interest at heart, ie, don't want you to stay if you are unhappy and want to help you find another program, but the truth is that many are not and will take the opportunity to shaft you. There is very little job protection for the resident in this situation.
You start looking for another program and your program starts looking for another resident, especially if you are a Categorical. There are probably hundreds of Prelims out there with better scores than you, who are harder working and would kill to be in your position and your PD knows it.
Anyway, this is not impossible to do but you must tread very lightly and accept the risk that if you do not match into a program where your BF lives, that you may be out of a position at your home program. Is this a risk you are willing to take? It may not happen, but it is a real risk especially if there are any concerns about your performance as an intern (and we all had them).
You will need to talk with your PD sooner rather than later, so that they can start looking for someone to take your position, and so that he/she can draft a letter for programs to which you are applying. There are tons of threads here about the mechanics of leaving programs, so I suggest you read those as well.
Obviously this must be played wisely, as you don't want to burn any bridges, should the programs in the other city not be interested in you. As noted above, you have used a year of your GME funding; many programs will not be interested in getting less money for you.
I might start by inquiring of those local programs as to whether or not its something they would even consider. If the answer is no, I'd probably not apply.
A piece of advice if I may: there are many places and many faculty who are still not wholely fond of women in surgery. Mentioning that you want to leave for a "future fiance" is not likely to be well received. I'm not suggesting you lie, but frankly, "future fiance" = boyfriend until you have a real proposal, a ring, etc. I can imagine that most PDs would question your commitment to your career if you are planning on leaving a program you matched to for a boyfriend...serious one or not. Female residents leave surgery programs at higher rates than males. Faculty are sensitive to this and many think that women have less of a commmitment. Add to it the belief that you would leave for a BF and your program is going to think it a bit flaky. If they are so inclined, they may start looking for any reason to get rid of you, assuming you will leave anyway.
Therefore, you must make it apparent that you are a hard worker, that you love the program but that you need to leave for personal reasons. It would be nice if all PDs had your best interest at heart, ie, don't want you to stay if you are unhappy and want to help you find another program, but the truth is that many are not and will take the opportunity to shaft you. There is very little job protection for the resident in this situation.
You start looking for another program and your program starts looking for another resident, especially if you are a Categorical. There are probably hundreds of Prelims out there with better scores than you, who are harder working and would kill to be in your position and your PD knows it.
Anyway, this is not impossible to do but you must tread very lightly and accept the risk that if you do not match into a program where your BF lives, that you may be out of a position at your home program. Is this a risk you are willing to take? It may not happen, but it is a real risk especially if there are any concerns about your performance as an intern (and we all had them).
You will need to talk with your PD sooner rather than later, so that they can start looking for someone to take your position, and so that he/she can draft a letter for programs to which you are applying. There are tons of threads here about the mechanics of leaving programs, so I suggest you read those as well.
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I have to agree. It may be 2008. We may all want to be sensitive and responsive to the psycho-social needs of trainees....
However, you are talking about leaving a CATEGORICAL position for a boyfriend. I would go one step further and say even with a ring on your finger, in 2008 that is still really just a boyfriend!
Next, the receiving program may be quite concerned over getting you through a numptial union. So, they get you/accept you. You have great homemaker bliss...then they loose you to maternity leave.
Finally, they get you/accept you, you get your ring, and then there is trouble in the waters and they emotionally loose you.
Your current program will start looking for a replacement.... once they look they will be very attracted to the >100 applicants with ABSITE in the 90th percentile just salivating for your spot. I have seen this before. There are 100s of prelims, etc... with stellar ABSITE and research YEARS just begging for a shot. You need to realize your plan forces your PD to open the window and shop...
It all may seem insensitive. But, programs are very concerned about resident stability and funding. WS can correct me, but I think GS residency attrition is still over 20%. Now they would be gambling that they can keep you happy being a PGY1 (even though you will naturally feel like you are more or deserve more), seriously dating another resident, trying to play house.
Think about this all very carefully. You need a good mentor and get your head on straight.
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Why are we so sure that the OP is a woman changing residencies for a man? (Not to hijack the thread, just curious...)
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I'm not....sure. Though, I wouldn't be sure even if the OP stated it. Just following the lead of others.
I think most of what has been said would still apply even if a male resident... except the possibility of resident becoming pregnant (though many couples regard it as "we are pregnant").
JAD
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Because she spelled the designation of her future intended as "fiance" which is the masculine form (as contrasted to "fiancee" for the feminine form). I suppose the OP could be unaware of this spelling difference or could be involved in a same sex relationship.
And besides, let's be realistic...women leaving residencies, changing jobs and moving for men IS much more common. Like JAD notes, the above advice still stands regardless of whether the OP is male or female.
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Call me dumb, but I actually was unaware of the spelling difference! Learn something new every day...
Agreed.
N
nsx
If you're both residents and determined to live together, why can't this person come to you? Is your fiance agonizing over the same decisions?
Assuming the OP is a woman: realize that fair or not, every time people in the hospital hear about things like this, it makes PDs that much more wary of hiring female surgical residents... if you have to change residencies, please make up a non-boyfriend excuse 🙁
Assuming the OP is a woman: realize that fair or not, every time people in the hospital hear about things like this, it makes PDs that much more wary of hiring female surgical residents... if you have to change residencies, please make up a non-boyfriend excuse 🙁
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Yes, make your boyfriend move to where YOU live.
Or make up a different reason why you need to leave. Tell them you have a sick mother in that other city.
Sorry, but that's how I feel.
Medicine fellow.
Or make up a different reason why you need to leave. Tell them you have a sick mother in that other city.
Sorry, but that's how I feel.
Medicine fellow.
Sorry...to clarify, I am a MALE seeking a WOMAN, just kidding. I am wanting to move to be with my girlfriend..future fiancee(?). I learn things everyday as well. I am totally willing to repeat my first year. I have connections in the new program. As far as categorical surgical programs, I only applied to a couple general surgery programs as backups my first time around and fortunately got my first choice. I just want to be with my significant other. I will only be a better doctor for having completed one year. I thank all of you for your advice!
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So she hasn't even said YES yet? That's a big move on an unsure bet...
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Getting another pgy1 categorical may not happen due to cap funding, so why don't you just apply for a PGY2 and swap with someone on residentswap.org?
