Residency question?

[Britton]

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Greetings, I am from east Pennsylvania and will be attending OCPM this fall. After completion of the 4 years I plan to apply to residencies back in PA (east PA specifically). Is there a great possibility that I may not even be offered a residency in east PA, or even all of PA? I know this is investigating the worst-case scenario, but I believe it is important because I, under no circumstances want to do my residency across the country, no matter what it offers. Does anyone know if residencies can be created? What is the sanctioning criteria for residencies? I can’t imagine that this notion is out of the realm of possibility because an established Podiatric residency at a VA hospital close to my home is no Mecca for healthcare (if you know what I mean). Its just a thought, and may help me decide what I want to do later.

PS, please don’t respond with a statement telling me that the “best students” take the “best residencies” in the “best places in the word” even if they have to walk there, ect…Understand that all of our interest are relevant, and ultimately suit our own goals. As for me, I am interested only in general/geriatric podiatry, maybe some diabetic feet, but not major podo-othopedic foot and ankle surgery.

Thanks for any advise.

 

[densmore22]

School is what you make of it. Check out the residents at the programs you're offered and see what there stats were. If you are dead set on one of those PA residencies, then visit them between now and the time you start school and likewise during the summer or whenever you have a break. Make yourself known to them so when you get to 4th year, they want you to come there. There's way more to getting a residency than grades, but don't blow grades off because they definitely factor in. Shadow a podiatrist who has an affiliation with the program you want, get exposure, get good LOR's in rotations. Rock the CRIP and you should be home free. Show them you're a hard worker and you're willing to do whatever, but be intelligent about it, don't just go into something blindly. Read and be up to date on the latest in Podiatry. These suggestions, I hope, aren't a new concept to you. Just get it done basically. Some of the PA residencies are pretty top notch so you have to make yourself stand out somehow. Spend the next 4 years trying to fulfill the question: Why do I deserve this residency?

 

[jonwill]

First off, the fact that you are attending OCPM will have no affect on applying to residency programs in PA. Programs rarely play favorites when it comes to schools but will almost always take the most qualified candidate.

I guess it depends on what you want. There are various programs in PA so you're chances look good as long as you're a fairly good student (assuming you want a 3 year program). There are 26 residency programs, the majority of which are 3 year in PA. But what if you didn't get a program in PA? Would you be OK doing a program somewhere on the east coast (of which there are many)?

Creating a residency program is an extremely long and complicated process. It literally takes years. I recently spoke with a residency director of a new program. It took 6 years to get off the ground. I'm sure it is possible to do it quicker but my point is that it won't happen over night.

I have to honestly tell you that it has been my experience that most people such as yourself with such strict stipulations usually ultimately end up being disappointed.

Good luck. For more info on residency programs visit:

http://www.casprcrip.org/html/casprcrip/directory1.asp

 

[Britton]

Thank you for the information. Both of you made some clear and valid points. Everything helps! 🙂