Resigned from a Canadian program-applying to the US: Advice needed

[HopeTo99]

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[ThoracicGuy]

Hi everyone.

My background:
IMG
Graduated in 2013
Passed USMLE Steps 1/2/3- scores: 232/231/cs pass/208 (no fails)
Fluent in English..zero accent
3 months USCE in Patho (observer-ship in an academic hospital)- managed to get 2 US LoRs
1 home LoR
Patho elective at home while I was a med. student
Dean's list during my basic sciences yrs/3.6+ Pre-clinical yrs GPA
No gaps in my CV
Applying to Patho this year. I have decided to apply to every program in the country.
SLIGHT problem:
Was in a residency program in Canada in an entirely different (clinical) specialty- never enjoyed patient interaction. Should have followed my heart's true desire and picked Pathology. I've always loved the basic sciences. Long story short, I resigned mid PGY1 (got some bad evaluations, was therefore put on probation; PD gave me the option of resigning so I did). Got a neutral letter from my PD who stated in the letter that said specialty wasn't right for me and I am now pursuing other options. Truth is, I have always wanted to train in the US-NOT Canada.
Now, the question is:
Do I still have a shot at getting into any Patho program in the US? I understand that I have to justify my decision to switch specialties in my personal statement.
Please advise on how I can maximize my chances of getting in.
Thanks!

You have multiple red flags:

IMG
Did not complete PGY1 year
Neutral at best letter from PD

Your chances are going to be harder to get a spot now. You would have a better shot if you had completed the year, but it sounds like your performance was bad enough that your program would rather have had you resign and lose a person than keep you on to the end of the year. That does not bode well. Any new programs you apply to will likely want to call your PD up. While the letter is neutral, when they actually talk on the phone, who knows what will come out of it all.

To maximize your chances, you need to apply widely to just about every spot barring the top programs. Especially look at programs that have a history of taking IMGs from your school.

Good luck.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You have multiple possible selling points also. Your prior training was Canadian, so you have not used any of your Medicare funding. And now you're applying to Pathology, which is a totally different skill set than your prior residency -- so the question "Why do you think you will succeed this time when you failed the last time?" is easier to answer.

Regardless, the path forward is clear. You apply broadly (which you have done). You see what happens. You develop a Plan B, just in case.

Since you;re applying this year, you should already have some sense of what the future will bring. If you have 10 path interviews, you are fine. If you have <2, then you need to start working on your Plan B.

 

[HopeTo99]

Thanks sdn!!🙂