?Reapplicant

[alittlestory]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi All-

I needed a few pointers on reapplying this year.... mainly demystifying the logistics of it all. I'd like to change specialties all together.

- If I have matched into a categorical program, can I legally leave after my intern year?

- I've heard that as a reapplicant the quality/quantity of interviews vastly differs from the year before- anyone have any experience with this?

- As for finding spots outside the match.... can people rate the usefulness of these sites?
-Find A Resident
- Resident Swap
- Open Spots

Thanks for your help!

 

[alittlestory]

anyone?

 

[kralwok]

i'm pretty sure you can leave after 1 year of a categorical program, provided you don't sign a contract for the second year. each contract is only for one year.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Hi All-

I needed a few pointers on reapplying this year.... mainly demystifying the logistics of it all. I'd like to change specialties all together.

- If I have matched into a categorical program, can I legally leave after my intern year?

- I've heard that as a reapplicant the quality/quantity of interviews vastly differs from the year before- anyone have any experience with this?

- As for finding spots outside the match.... can people rate the usefulness of these sites?
-Find A Resident
- Resident Swap
- Open Spots

Thanks for your help!

1. Yes, in fact you can leave earlier if you want but it's best to finish out the year, especially if the program you are trying to match into requires a prelim year anyway.

2. This is probably true for everything. If you applied for field X last year and did not get a spot, your chances of getting a spot this year are lower. You'll be competing against everyone from prior years who didn't get a spot and are applying again, and all the new applicants coming down the pipeline. rea[pplicants for everything (including medical school) do worse than new applicants -- simply because the "best" candidates get chosen the first time.

If you never applied to this specialty the first time, then it's less of an issue, but still many programs tend to favor current grads, worried that older grads may be switching because of "problems".

3. Can't help you there.

 

[alittlestory]

Thanks for the reply-

My gut feeling about reapplying is that it's futile... but i have to try, it's my dream- and i'm persistent. In the grand scheme of things, it will cost me a bruised ego and a few thousand dollars----but at least I would have tried.

A few things i'll do differently this time around:
1) Apply EARLY (as opposed to Oct/mid-october)
2) I'll be officially ECMG certified
3) Step 2 cs results will be in (last year, not reported till Dec)
4) Helped work on research/case-study pertinent to the field (although submitted...it's not yet published)
5) and most importantly, THE decisive factor in selection criteria...
i'll have a professional pic 😉 😉
(i.e. wearing a suit and not taken from my webcam)

Hopefully these things may make a slight difference... opinion?

Thanks so much.

 

[Ariee]

Hopefully these things may make a slight difference... opinion?

You already know it will. Have self-confidence. You should be a pro at this, now that its your 2nd time around.

G'luck,
A

 

[alittlestory]

Ariee- Thanks for the encouragement, sometimes we get so bogged down we forget about our confidence 😉

Now... as for the part of our ERAS application that asks about "Training"
- Do i enter "3" for the number of years (since it was a categorical match)... or just 1 for the time I plan to stay?
- Supervisor field...I dont have a supervisor, just a PD. It's starred so I cant leave it blank. Suggestions?
- For Dates Field: Do i enter anticipated dates, i.e. leaving July 2010?
- Lastly, do I fill in "reason for leaving" here-- or address that in my PS?

Thanks for all the advice- hope everyone is keeping their head up 😉

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Ariee- Thanks for the encouragement, sometimes we get so bogged down we forget about our confidence 😉

Now... as for the part of our ERAS application that asks about "Training"
- Do i enter "3" for the number of years (since it was a categorical match)... or just 1 for the time I plan to stay?
- Supervisor field...I dont have a supervisor, just a PD. It's starred so I cant leave it blank. Suggestions?
- For Dates Field: Do i enter anticipated dates, i.e. leaving July 2010?
- Lastly, do I fill in "reason for leaving" here-- or address that in my PS?

1. Enter the years you have actually trained, so that would be 1
2. List your PD
3. June 2010.
4. Didn't know there was a "reason for leaving" section for training. I wouldn't worry much about it. It seems obvious -- if you get a new spot you'll leave this spot.

Thanks for all the advice- hope everyone is keeping their head up 😉

I'm doing just fine, thanks for asking.

 

[alittlestory]

a few more questions that have come up, would appreciate some advice

-) new for 2010 reapplicants no longer have to re-submit everything (incl LOR, MSPSE, Transcripts etc)
...My LOR's are obviously dated from last year, should I simply apply Sept 1st with the reused documents, and request "updated" letters to be put into my application as they arrive later?

-) again, i'm perusing these residency opening/vacancies websites. haven't reached for my wallet, waiting for some feedback first. Anyone have any experience with them?

-) lastly, i'm having writers block. Is it horrible if i reuse my PS from last year?
-) Should i be explaining why I want to switch specialties in my PS?

thanks 😉

 

[NotAProgDirector]

-) new for 2010 reapplicants no longer have to re-submit everything (incl LOR, MSPSE, Transcripts etc)
...My LOR's are obviously dated from last year, should I simply apply Sept 1st with the reused documents, and request "updated" letters to be put into my application as they arrive later?

Absolutely not. Remember that you only get 4 letters per application. If you want to reuse last year's letters you are welcome to do so, but it tends to show that you really didn't do anything to update your skills. If you have 1 "killer" letter from last year (like one from a PD, or a chair, or something like that) then it's fine to include it, although I'd still consider asking the letter writer whether they would be willing to update it.

If you're planning on submitting new letters (which in general would be the better plan) then do not submit the old letters. First, you'll end up needing to unassign the old ones to add the new ones, and that simply makes it look like you can't follow directions. Second, and perhaps worse, your application could get reviewed before your new letters are in -- if I see a CAF + 3 letters + USMLE + Transcript, I'm going to review your app. I'll only see your old letters, and make a decision based on that. In general, I don't go back to rejected applications looking for new info -- I'm way too busy for that.

-) lastly, i'm having writers block. Is it horrible if i reuse my PS from last year?

I doubt anyone will notice that you used last year's PS. If you're applying to new programs, for certain they will not notice. If you're applying for a new field, make sure the PS still makes sense.

-) Should i be explaining why I want to switch specialties in my PS?

If your "paper trail" screams an interest in one field (like rads/derm) and you're applying to IM, then it's probably best to mention it at least briefly. If your app is generic, then it won't matter much either way

 

[alittlestory]

aprogdir- thanks for your honesty.

i'm in a bind regarding the LOR's. I dont know that I can actually manage to get updated ones within the next month... and I feel awkward asking for them, since i haven't really kept in touch with my profs/attendings.

This whole decision was done extremely last minute--- because, i'm miserable. Poor planning and indecisiveness on my part last year got me in this mess. And here I am, hoping not to make the same mistake(s).

Juggling all this with intern year is already hectic-

So, ok- i'll hold off on the letters. I really thought that if my apps were reviewed early, i'd have more interview invites. Double-edged sword, or not?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If you are currently in a training program, all (if not most) of your letters should come from your current program about your current performance, and your application will be much stronger with a letter from your current PD summarizing your performance.

Using last year's letters when you should be perfectly capable of getting new letters this year (since you are currently working in a residency program) would look very bad.

Poor planning and indecisivenss got you into trouble last year, and are well on their way to getting you into more trouble.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Agree with aPD...not having LORs from your current faculty is a major red flag.

I want to know what sort of resident you'll be. Your residency faculty is in a much better position to gauge this than someone who hasn't seen you or worked with you for a year or more (and in a student capacity).

Intern year is busy, but don't repeat the mistakes of last year.

 

[alittlestory]

Well, with two electives under my belt (no floor months)... and 8 different attendings in that short time... im not sure that they can properly evaluate/vouch for me, afterall- is 3 days or 5 days enough to write a letter of candidacy?

And, well- I haven't broken the news to my program yet that i'm leaving.

 

[Pathlesstrvld]

I have been reading some of your posts, and you are definitely an amazing wealth of information. So I am currently applying for the match of 2010. I participated in last year's match, but I was ultimately withdrawn after failing the CS. My CS result came in middle of December of last year, and since I am an IMG, my only hope at the time was to retake the exam before Dec. 31st, 2008.

Needless to say I did not find an open date during this time period, and as I mentioned earlier I was withdrawn from the match with an opportunity to participate in the scramble. I have since passed the CS, but my greatest frustration is that I had an amazing opportunity to match in 2009. Just to give you an idea, I applied to approximately 100 programs (all family med) with only my Step 1 (89/215), CAF, personal statement, and 4 LORs. My Step 2 CK came in towards the end of October (84/205), but by then I was already invited to approximately 30 interviews.

Currently I am back at the starting point, and I have already submitted my application. My only concern is that I have reused 3 of the 4 LORs that I submitted last year. To be perfectly honest my letters were very popular among the PDs during my interviews last year, and I have reasons to believe that a letter written by any of my elective preceptors during my 4th year would be generic at best. Therefore I was reluctant not to re-use the letters this year considering how good they really are.

One of my letters is new and it was written by the program director of the IM program where I did my core and sub-I in internal medicine. I honored both, therefore I expect this letter to be very good one as well. Furthermore, since graduating a few months ago I have been doing a lot of medical volunteer work abroad just to remain as close to medicine as possible and keep myself clinically active. I apologize for the long story, but based on everything that I have written so far, what type of chances do you think I have this year?

Thank you in advance for your valued advice

 

[dragonfly99]

I think the OP should try and get at least one new LOR from the current training program. Doesn't he/she get to work with ANY attending for 2-4 weeks during the next month or two?

I would try and write/get in contact with the LOR writers from last year, and get the letters redated at the least, if you can. Also, make sure there is one in there from research mentor(s) if you have one.

You need to be careful about telling your current PD that you plan to leave...if your chances are not good to get into this other specialty, then being honest may backfire on you. You might want to wait at least until you see if you might get any interviews...then again, you might not want him/her (the PD) to find out about all this second hand.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I apologize for the long story, but based on everything that I have written so far, what type of chances do you think I have this year?

Thank you in advance for your valued advice

I can't really tell what your chances are, but it sounds like you've done everything you can. Hopefully now that you've passed CS, you'll get re-invited to a bunch of interviews. Good luck!

 

[diel]

Hey, I am in the same boat.
Last year I was torn between 2 specialties, finally ranked one of them on top and matched to it. Was happy, but then later realized it is probably not for me.
I already talked to my PD about it, which was kinda scary, he is a colonel, besides his other many achievements... but he understood me... and promised to help me in getting a spot in my other specialty.

You have to go and talk to your PD. If you apply to the other spec w/o a letter from your current PD, it would look bad.. like you are failing or somth like that. What if one of the PDs that are looking at your application know your current PD and they will give him a call: "Hey John, long time no see, I got this fellow of yours who applied to my program, you think he is any good?" . response of your PD: 😱😱😱😡😡😡... and then... bad rep.

Switching spec is not easy, but once you know with all your heart that is the right thing to do, do it right.
Your intern year in the present program will follow you for the rest of your life. Be kind to them. And they will hopefully be kind to you. I had this luck so far.

 

[diel]

Talk to your PD and do a favor for both of you.
Him: he knows he needs replacement for the next year.
You: you will get a good recommendation that you simply can not afford to not have when you are switching.

I think reapplying w/o a letter from your PD is a suicide to your Match 2010.

 

[Redrox]

I think reapplying w/o a letter from your PD is a suicide to your Match 2010.

Wish I had read this during my reapplication process. . .

I am reapplying from a TY year for emergency medicine. I'm using two LOR from EM that I got as a fourth year, one EM LOR that I got after graduation, and I picked up one EM letter from our department chairperson at my current residency program.

I don't have a letter from my current PD. Is this really a death sentence? No one has mentioned it up until now. I had thought it more important Sept 1st to promptly send a detailed letter specific to my field, by someone who had actually worked with me.

Yet, I'm on interview number 12 and someone finally brought this up as a red flag, even going so far to say that no program will accept me without one.

Having already submitted four through ERAS, I cannot upload another LOR and would need to email each program specifically. Think I should blanket send one out, or specifically ask programs if they'd like one? Even though programs haven't asked me about the lack during the interview, is this a major problem?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Wish I had read this during my reapplication process. . .

I am reapplying from a TY year for emergency medicine. I'm using two LOR from EM that I got as a fourth year, one EM LOR that I got after graduation, and I picked up one EM letter from our department chairperson at my current residency program.

I don't have a letter from my current PD. Is this really a death sentence? No one has mentioned it up until now. I had thought it more important Sept 1st to promptly send a detailed letter specific to my field, by someone who had actually worked with me.

Yet, I'm on interview number 12 and someone finally brought this up as a red flag, even going so far to say that no program will accept me without one.

Having already submitted four through ERAS, I cannot upload another LOR and would need to email each program specifically. Think I should blanket send one out, or specifically ask programs if they'd like one? Even though programs haven't asked me about the lack during the interview, is this a major problem?

If you had it to do over again, I'd have submitted 3 ED letters and a letter from your PD.

But, the proof is in the pudding. Programs wouldn't interview you if they weren;t interested. They may have called your PD to check. Or, perhaps they simply don't care.

At this point, you could ask your PD for a letter (or at minimum a short email saying that you did good work and completed the year), and have them email it directly to programs. Or, perhaps better yet, ask your prior PD if it's OK to send out his/her contact information to your programs. Assuming affermative, send an email to PD's saying that, in case there is any concern about your performance in your TY, feel free to contact the PD at (insert email address).

This is probably overkill. But, will you be able to sleep for the next 2 months worrying about this?

 

[Redrox]

At this point, you could ask your PD for a letter (or at minimum a short email saying that you did good work and completed the year), and have them email it directly to programs. Or, perhaps better yet, ask your prior PD if it's OK to send out his/her contact information to your programs. Assuming affermative, send an email to PD's saying that, in case there is any concern about your performance in your TY, feel free to contact the PD at (insert email address).

Good food for thought, thank you for your response.

I've contacted my program director who states he'd be delighted to write a very strong letter and will have it done by the end of the day, actually. I'm thinking I'll contact each program directly and ask if they're okay with me faxing it over with his signtature and contact information (with his blessing).

Maybe too late to influence some PD's preliminary rank list very significantly, but you're right, I will sleep better knowing I tried.

 

[K31]

I am reapplying from a TY year for emergency medicine. I'm using two LOR from EM that I got as a fourth year, one EM LOR that I got after graduation, and I picked up one EM letter from our department chairperson at my current residency program.

I don't have a letter from my current PD. Is this really a death sentence?

I'd think this would be less as a problem for someone applying during a transitional year than someone switching specialties. Someone only in a TY is expected to be applying again, while switching out of a categorical program raises questions about whether there were problems.

Obviously programs will want to hear from the TY PD just to make sure everything is fine, but it is probably less damaging to your applications than to someone who is leaving mid-program.