reapplying for pgy-1 positions after not matching?

[m1forever]

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So I think I've posted my story already, but just to reiterate- I didn't match this year secondary to not ranking enough programs and not ranking/interviewing at any of the programs that tend to take a lot of img's/prematch people simply because I thought I would be able to scramble into a spot should I not match at one of the few programs I ranked. How was I supposed to know there would be a decrease from an average of about 40 "real" spots in the scramble to 3 or so. BUt enough about that...whats done is done.

I'm am amg from a well respected medical school who performed well on psych rotations(including multiple electives). Have passed step1 and step2, although I did have to take step1 twice, but did well on it the second time(above average). My preclinical grades were pretty poor, and my clinical grades are above average. No serious red flags(academic violations, ethical issues, personality disorders, criminal record) except the step1 score the first time.

So obviously I still want to do psych, and my goal is to match into any program next year. Im not going to apply highly ranked research programs at all next year. I've already compiled a list of about 15 programs, many in the southeast, that tend to accept a lot of applicants with less than stellar scores and img's. Many of these programs last year gave me interviews that I turned down. My question is would it be approriate(several months from now I guess) to contact the pd's of these programs and explain my interest outside of/before sending in my eras app? I know there are somewhat different rules for non-US 4th years(for example I can prematch now), but Im unsure what level of contact or whether it would be appropriate to contact pd's at programs I have an interest in going to next year?

 

[m1forever]

So I think I've posted my story already, but just to reiterate- I didn't match this year secondary to not ranking enough programs and not ranking/interviewing at any of the programs that tend to take a lot of img's/prematch people simply because I thought I would be able to scramble into a spot should I not match at one of the few programs I ranked. How was I supposed to know there would be a decrease from an average of about 40 "real" spots in the scramble to 3 or so. BUt enough about that...whats done is done.

I'm am amg from a well respected medical school who performed well on psych rotations(including multiple electives). Have passed step1 and step2, although I did have to take step1 twice, but did well on it the second time(above average). My preclinical grades were pretty poor, and my clinical grades are above average. No serious red flags(academic violations, ethical issues, personality disorders, criminal record) except the step1 score the first time.

So obviously I still want to do psych, and my goal is to match into any program next year. Im not going to apply highly ranked research programs at all next year. I've already compiled a list of about 15 programs, many in the southeast, that tend to accept a lot of applicants with less than stellar scores and img's. Many of these programs last year gave me interviews that I turned down. My question is would it be approriate(several months from now I guess) to contact the pd's of these programs and explain my interest outside of/before sending in my eras app? I know there are somewhat different rules for non-US 4th years(for example I can prematch now), but Im unsure what level of contact or whether it would be appropriate to contact pd's at programs I have an interest in going to next year?

correction: clinical grades are about average, not above average.

 

[peppy]

Since nobody else has answered, I feel like I might as well throw my 2 cents in. If I were you, I would definitely contact the PDs. When I look back at what I could have done differently, I think one of my mistakes was that I didn't do anything special to show interest in one of the lower tier programs that I applied to. I had a genuine interest in the program because I have community ties to the area it's in, but I think I ended up being overlooked by that program for people they expected to be really interested in going there (it was a program that prematches a lot of FMGs).
Good luck with finding the right plan of action!

 

[swanny]

I would definitely contact the PDs and let them know you remain interested and available. Things always come up...

 

[m1forever]

I would definitely contact the PDs and let them know you remain interested and available. Things always come up...

Things aren't going to just "come up" this year....and if they did a month from now that program would probably just eat the pgy-1 slot and take an hold it over for a pgy-2 next year instead of just grabbing someone they dont know at the last minute for four years.

Plus, it's not practicle to contact every single pd in the country......

My question was more directed towards when would be the appropriate time to contact pd's for next years application cycle? July?

 

[Terpskins99]

Things aren't going to just "come up" this year....and if they did a month from now that program would probably just eat the pgy-1 slot and take an hold it over for a pgy-2 next year instead of just grabbing someone they dont know at the last minute for four years.

Plus, it's not practicle to contact every single pd in the country......

My question was more directed towards when would be the appropriate time to contact pd's for next years application cycle? July?

I don't think you would have any problem contacting PD's at any time (except during the specific period between match day and the scramble). If anything, it makes sense to establish a line of communication relatively early and regularly (well, short of stalking of course).

What were you planning to do during the year? Are you doing a stand alone internship? Or are you thinking of doing research? I doubt there is any shortage of clinical trials for psych meds. Send out feelers to the research-oriented programs and see if you can possibly join in/help out.

 

[m1forever]

I don't think you would have any problem contacting PD's at any time (except during the specific period between match day and the scramble). If anything, it makes sense to establish a line of communication relatively early and regularly (well, short of stalking of course).

What were you planning to do during the year? Are you doing a stand alone internship? Or are you thinking of doing research? I doubt there is any shortage of clinical trials for psych meds. Send out feelers to the research-oriented programs and see if you can possibly join in/help out.

I just wondered if I contacted them now instead of in like august would they forget about that completely just before the time the application cycle started up again.

As for what Im going to do, I guess get a non-medicine related job to pay for interview costs and some student loan payments and stuff. Nope, not doing a stand alone internship. There are none open now anyways. As for research, I have no research experience and any semi-decent position that actually pays enough to live on others would be in better position for.

 

[Terpskins99]

I just wondered if I contacted them now instead of in like august would they forget about that completely just before the time the application cycle started up again.

As for what Im going to do, I guess get a non-medicine related job to pay for interview costs and some student loan payments and stuff. Nope, not doing a stand alone internship. There are none open now anyways. As for research, I have no research experience and any semi-decent position that actually pays enough to live on others would be in better position for.

Look at it from their perspective. You're the program director. If someone sent you an email in april saying they were interested in your residency, and then didn't make any additional contact with you until application season in early fall... would that make you think that they were really interested in your program?

Probably not. So, what CAN you do to make yourself look like you're interested in THEIR program?

 

[m1forever]

Look at it from their perspective. You're the program director. If someone sent you an email in april saying they were interested in your residency, and then didn't make any additional contact with you until application season in early fall... would that make you think that they were really interested in your program?

Probably not. So, what CAN you do to make yourself look like you're interested in THEIR program?

fair point, but there is also the concern of seeming too bothersome by repeatedly sending "hey, Im interested...still interested" emails. Once you say you're interested in the program and why you're interested in the program and a little backstory on your situation, what else is there to say in another email but just repeat the same thing?