Question about my chances for matching as a reapplicant with a medical waiver

[pullmyzincfinger]

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I would be starting my first year in a surgical specialty this July if it weren't for unexpected health issues. This experience has changed my perspective about what I want from my career. I loved my psych rotation and now I'm realizing this is what I want long-term. However, I'm concerned about my chances because I will be a reapplicant, medical school graduate. I have no psych-specific research, no psych rotations (except for 3rd year), etc. Due to my health issues, it's also unlikely that I would be able to complete an away rotation or any research before applications are due in September. Otherwise I have good board scores, grades and did lots of extracurriculars during medical school. I'm graduating at the top of my class.

Be honest: how bad is it? Do I have any chance of matching? How do I figure out which programs are more accepting of applicants with red flags?

 

[ObsequiousAplomb]

You have chances. I know of people who have had similar situations in recent years and matched. Your options will likely be limited. Make sure to have a good personal statement and good letters of recommendation. I don't have any specific advice on how to find programs more accepting of red flags other than to apply broadly and you'll find out because they'll offer interviews. Make sure to have personal statements that align with the programs you're applying to as well.

 

[pullmyzincfinger]

You have chances. I know of people who have had similar situations in recent years and matched. Your options will likely be limited. Make sure to have a good personal statement and good letters of recommendation. I don't have any specific advice on how to find programs more accepting of red flags other than to apply broadly and you'll find out because they'll offer interviews. Make sure to have personal statements that align with the programs you're applying to as well.

For letters of recommendation, do they need to be all psych or is it okay to have a mix? As a graduate at this point in the year, I think my options are limited for doing another rotation in psych and getting letters. But I know I could have one great psych letter from a faculty member with a fellowship and leadership.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I think the bigger issue is still your medical problem. It is a big enough issue to prevent matching, aways, research, etc. Will the medical problem be resolved? In my state, medical licenses require you to sign that you don’t have physical or mental health conditions that impact patient care. If programs don’t believe you can get a license, you won’t stand a chance at matching.

 

[pullmyzincfinger]

I think the bigger issue is still your medical problem. It is a big enough issue to prevent matching, aways, research, etc. Will the medical problem be resolved? In my state, medical licenses require you to sign that you don’t have physical or mental health conditions that impact patient care. If programs don’t believe you can get a license, you won’t stand a chance at matching.

I don't want to get into too much detail (perhaps you will still be able to deduce from this comment), but yes the medical problem will be resolved. Essentially I am having a very temporary medical problem which is 100% curable and has no chance of being a permanent issue.

 

[Merovinge]

I don't want to get into too much detail (perhaps you will still be able to deduce from this comment), but yes the medical problem will be resolved. Essentially I am having a very temporary medical problem which is 100% curable and has no chance of being a permanent issue.

Psychiatry is probably the specialty most used to people having a "coming to the light" moment and wanting to change into, particularly from surgical (and not medical) specialties. You should definitely get that one strong psych letter and then make sure your personal statement is insightful and honest about your experience with medical illness and why you want to change fields.

I changed into psychiatry at the very end of third year so I was able to get extra psychiatry rotations but they were just the ones leftover that no one wanted. My CV read as very bizarre given my publications and extra-curriculars were entirely focused on a different area of medicine. Luckily for me, all my 4th year psych electives were amazing and making this change was the second best decision I've made in my life.

 

[FlowRate]

What will you be doing with your year off?

There's a mix of opinions on this but I think your situation is one in which you really need to address this directly in your personal statement. Ultimately up to you and any advisors how much detail to go into. You want psych PD's to come away knowing that you are a low-risk investment.

Hopefully there are some psychiatrists who might remember you from third year? You'll need a couple of psych LORs.

 

[PikminOC]

Psychiatry is probably the specialty most used to people having a "coming to the light" moment and wanting to change into, particularly from surgical (and not medical) specialties. You should definitely get that one strong psych letter and then make sure your personal statement is insightful and honest about your experience with medical illness and why you want to change fields.

I changed into psychiatry at the very end of third year so I was able to get extra psychiatry rotations but they were just the ones leftover that no one wanted. My CV read as very bizarre given my publications and extra-curriculars were entirely focused on a different area of medicine. Luckily for me, all my 4th year psych electives were amazing and making this change was the second best decision I've made in my life.

What's the first best decision?

 

[pullmyzincfinger]

What will you be doing with your year off?

There's a mix of opinions on this but I think your situation is one in which you really need to address this directly in your personal statement. Ultimately up to you and any advisors how much detail to go into. You want psych PD's to come away knowing that you are a low-risk investment.

Hopefully there are some psychiatrists who might remember you from third year? You'll need a couple of psych LORs.

This is one of the problems I have. I'm not sure how to spend the year. I will need the summer and early fall to handle my health issue, but after that I will have a lot of spare time. I'm not the kind of person who likes to be idle, so ideally I would get involved in some psych research and also get a job (as a phlebotomist maybe?).

 

[FlowRate]

This is one of the problems I have. I'm not sure how to spend the year. I will need the summer and early fall to handle my health issue, but after that I will have a lot of spare time. I'm not the kind of person who likes to be idle, so ideally I would get involved in some psych research and also get a job (as a phlebotomist maybe?).

Depending on the prestige of your alma mater, you could see if any of the big consulting firms are hiring for their professional internship things (I forget what they call them). At least for the second half of the year before you start residency. Definitely hard to plan for much of anything with treatment summer+fall then interviewing fall+winter. Although are programs still doing virtual interviews this coming season?

 

[Merovinge]

What's the first best decision?

Cliché, but marrying my spouse.