Research Vs. TRI and reapplying

[sunk]

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So, with the very real possibility of not matching this cycle, I was hoping for some insight into the pros/cons of doing a year of research vs doing a Traditional rotating internship (which I'm assuming I will be able to find, as a D.O. student) and reapplying next cycle.

The particulars of my circumstance are in another thread (found out I failed USMLE & COMLEX Step 2 in October, before submitting ERAS, retook Comlex 2 5 weeks later and passed but did not receive my score until after Thanksgiving), but the bottom line is I am applying for Psych, and only got 7 interviews.

I do not have a research background, so I'm not even really sure what doing research would entail. Are these positions typically paid? Anyone with a similar experience? Thank you.

 

[peppy]

I didn't match into psych my first try (I think my main mistake was that I didn't go on enough interviews and underestimated the level of competition). I did a TRI figuring that (if nothing else) it was money and experience for the year. I then successfully matched the next year. 🙂
If you haven't already identified someone you could do research with, you may want to start working on that now. After I didn't match, I tried asking people at my school about research (since so many people will tell those who didn't match "just do research") but didn't get very far. I was told that finding research positions required "connections".

Others may chime in with different views, but I tend to think that research probably isn't going to help you that much because most of the psych programs that care about research are the snooty programs that likely would not consider someone who had problems with the boards to begin with.
The main thing that I think will help you for next year is doing well on the Step 3 exam.
One good thing about doing the TRI is that, if nothing else, I think the practical experience of internship would be better prep for step 3 than research would be. Having a proven track record of performing well as an intern may also help in the eyes of some
(remember that you will need a good letter of rec from your program director, so don't blow off the internship).
One potential risk with the TRI path is that I have heard conflicting things about if an osteopathic internship counts against you for residency funding purposes if you go on to an ACGME residency. I've read on this board that it SHOULDN'T count, and in fact most of the places I applied to didn't seem concerned about it. However at one program the chairman did bring it up.
Remember that an osteopathic TRI doesn't count for anything in the eyes of the ABPN for board certification, so you would have to redo all the intern rotations if you went into an ACGME psych program the next year.
The good news is that if you apply to osetopathic psych residencies next time, there is a good chance that they will be able to give you at least some credit for your TRI rotations.
But who knows, you might match to psych still. 🙂 It sounds like you waited very late to apply this year, so that may have been a big factor in why you didn't get more interviews.
Good luck!

 

[redbookfan]

Hello, don't jump to conclusions just yet. You got 7 interviews and that IS good and make sure to rank them in your order of preference and let's hope you match 🙂 Worse case scenario: scramble into traditional rotating internship or research. You have to weigh what's more important to you. Do you have loans to pay off? Are you sure you can get a paid research position? Do you need salary this coming summer? Would you be happier with research or being an intern? I am sure both experiences would be learning experiences and fulfilling. If I were you, I would post your question in the Psychiatry section since you are applying for Psych. Take care and let's see what people say in the Psych section.

 

[redbookfan]

Looks like Peppy and I posted at the SAME time almost. Peppy is definitely more experienced so do count on his/her advice!! I am applying through ERAS this year so not too experienced yet.

 

[sunk]

I didn't match into psych my first try (I think my main mistake was that I didn't go on enough interviews and underestimated the level of competition). I did a TRI figuring that (if nothing else) it was money and experience for the year. I then successfully matched the next year. 🙂
If you haven't already identified someone you could do research with, you may want to start working on that now. After I didn't match, I tried asking people at my school about research (since so many people will tell those who didn't match "just do research") but didn't get very far. I was told that finding research positions required "connections".

Others may chime in with different views, but I tend to think that research probably isn't going to help you that much because most of the psych programs that care about research are the snooty programs that likely would not consider someone who had problems with the boards to begin with.
The main thing that I think will help you for next year is doing well on the Step 3 exam.
One good thing about doing the TRI is that, if nothing else, I think the practical experience of internship would be better prep for step 3 than research would be. Having a proven track record of performing well as an intern may also help in the eyes of some
(remember that you will need a good letter of rec from your program director, so don't blow off the internship).
One potential risk with the TRI path is that I have heard conflicting things about if an osteopathic internship counts against you for residency funding purposes if you go on to an ACGME residency. I've read on this board that it SHOULDN'T count, and in fact most of the places I applied to didn't seem concerned about it. However at one program the chairman did bring it up.
Remember that an osteopathic TRI doesn't count for anything in the eyes of the ABPN for board certification, so you would have to redo all the intern rotations if you went into an ACGME psych program the next year.
The good news is that if you apply to osetopathic psych residencies next time, there is a good chance that they will be able to give you at least some credit for your TRI rotations.
But who knows, you might match to psych still. 🙂 It sounds like you waited very late to apply this year, so that may have been a big factor in why you didn't get more interviews.
Good luck!

Thanks for your response. The whole idea of doing intern year twice is daunting, and my primary interest in the whole research idea, but as you insinuated I just don't really have a great grasp of how to "just do research." Unfortunately, money is also a factor. Applying late was definitely part of my problem, as I wanted to wait until I had a passing Step 2 score. If anyone has any idea of where to look for potential research positions, and more info., I would appreciate it.

As far as jumping to conclusions goes, I think I'm just being realistic, and am trying to best prepare myself for every potential outcome-- which I unfortunately did not do in the past, and is why I am in this position.

 

[sweetlenovo88]

Thanks for your response. The whole idea of doing intern year twice is daunting, and my primary interest in the whole research idea, but as you insinuated I just don't really have a great grasp of how to "just do research." Unfortunately, money is also a factor. Applying late was definitely part of my problem, as I wanted to wait until I had a passing Step 2 score. If anyone has any idea of where to look for potential research positions, and more info., I would appreciate it.

As far as jumping to conclusions goes, I think I'm just being realistic, and am trying to best prepare myself for every potential outcome-- which I unfortunately did not do in the past, and is why I am in this position.

I was in a similar situation to you last year. I did an online MHA which afforded me a lot of time to myself and really have fun which evaded me in med school. I hope I match on Monday but I definitely do not regret the year off I had.

 

[peppy]

Sure, it's not ideal to have to repeat internship, but it's not the worst thing in the world if that's what it comes down to. Some of the DO TRIs are really pretty benign and offer elective time so you can still do some psych during the year (though there is a lot of variation between programs so try to find out as much as you can about what their schedule is like before committing to a program).
As you said, it is nice to have a steady source of income for the year, especially to help pay for the costs of next year's interview season!
I did feel like I learned a lot from my internship. It was much easier when I did the second internship because I already knew what was expected of me and was a lot more comfortable with general medicine than most psychiatry interns.
I also feel that the knowledge and confidence I gained from the TRI helped me make a good impression in my interviews the second time around.

As far as jumping to conclusions goes, I think I'm just being realistic, and am trying to best prepare myself for every potential outcome-- which I unfortunately did not do in the past, and is why I am in this position.

Oh, I think you're doing the right thing by trying to plan now for what you'll do if you don't match. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. 🙂

 

[sunk]

Sure, it's not ideal to have to repeat internship, but it's not the worst thing in the world if that's what it comes down to. Some of the DO TRIs are really pretty benign and offer elective time so you can still do some psych during the year (though there is a lot of variation between programs so try to find out as much as you can about what their schedule is like before committing to a program).
As you said, it is nice to have a steady source of income for the year, especially to help pay for the costs of next year's interview season!
I did feel like I learned a lot from my internship. It was much easier when I did the second internship because I already knew what was expected of me and was a lot more comfortable with general medicine than most psychiatry interns.
I also feel that the knowledge and confidence I gained from the TRI helped me make a good impression in my interviews the second time around.



Oh, I think you're doing the right thing by trying to plan now for what you'll do if you don't match. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. 🙂

Thanks for your feedback. Any advice on finding some of those "more benign" TRIs? I have an idea about a few in my area, but would like to be as informed as possible. Unfortunately, there is next to nothing on Scutwork.

 

[redbookfan]

I tried posting twice yesterday but system kept logging me out. Anyways, I think it's very smart to have a back up plan and I agree with you and Peppy. TR year vs Research is an important decision to make....and maybe you can also discuss it with your family and/or significant other. I heard about somebody who didn't match into pathology and she did TR year AND one year of research and is reapplying currently. I'm in a similar situation as you, and I also am trying to think of a back up plan, but you and I want to become psychiatrists and we should never give up our goal of what we want to do. In the end, I have hope that it's going to work out....if not this year, maybe next year. I am also a DO student and I don't know too much about TR years but it's something worthwhile to look into. Will let you know if I find out some things. Be sure to rank every place you went to unless you absolutely cannot stand being there for 4 years. Another option is to check for any unfilled DO psych spots during the scramble. Some of the dually accredited programs esp are pretty good 🙂

 

[sunk]

Just found out I matched to my #1 today. Still sort of in shock. Thanks everyone, looks like I can forget about this thread.

 

[jp104]

Just found out I matched to my #1 today. Still sort of in shock. Thanks everyone, looks like I can forget about this thread.

Glad it all worked out for ya. congrats!