Second Try for Psychiatry

[KrauseXian]

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I am a US Allopathic graduating senior - all course work in the USA. I applied to Psychiatry and I did not match in the normal match or the SOAP. Apparently, Psychiatry got much more competitive this year and either my scores we too low, I was off cycle, I didn't interview well, or maybe all of it. What's next?

Should I try to take any residency out there that I can find an make peace with a different specialty even when I really wanted psychiatry?

Should I wait and try again next year for Psych?

Should I try again next year for something else? (I also like FM and Peds a lot.)

Should I try to do some transitional program if I can find one and hope they give me 2 months to do interviews again then slide into a PGY-2 spot? or maybe a research job instead? I'm worried about anything that'll keep me busy during interview season if I re-apply.

Thanks for your advice !

 

[TexasPhysician]

I would do a transitional year and apply to pgy 2 positions.

 

[Bartelby]

I would do a transitional year and apply to pgy 2 positions.

The best option for those stuck in this position I think.

 

[Twomonty17]

Is it still a thing for people to switch from other specialties in categorical positions such as FM/IM /GS for pgy2 years? I can't really imagine what the conversation with the PD would be like. Also, I know Texas physician will bring up how funding is being a greater issuer as well.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Is it still a thing for people to switch from other specialties in categorical positions such as FM/IM /GS for pgy2 years? I can't really imagine what the conversation with the PD would be like. Also, I know Texas physician will bring up how funding is being a greater issuer as well.

Prelim and Transitional years do not effect funding. Categorical programs do. If you are 100% psych, it’s best to avoid categorical programs as many programs no longer take transfers from 3 year residencies. You would be better off transferring from surgery, etc with more funding years.

 

[KrauseXian]

I would do a transitional year and apply to pgy 2 positions.

It looks like most of the transition year spots are taken. I put some in SOAP and I've written like the only one that appears to still be around. If I can't find one, but I work in a clinic as some kind of assistant or something for a year, do you think I'd have a chance with FM or Peds residencies next match? Also, am I correct in assuming that if I did a transitional year only, I would be able to get a medical license and work as a GP?

 

[TexasPhysician]

It looks like most of the transition year spots are taken. I put some in SOAP and I've written like the only one that appears to still be around. If I can't find one, but I work in a clinic as some kind of assistant or something for a year, do you think I'd have a chance with FM or Peds residencies next match? Also, am I correct in assuming that if I did a transitional year only, I would be able to get a medical license and work as a GP?

I have a hard time believing that all prelim and transitional programs are/were taken. This is the best option, but an alternative would be high quality research for a year.

Some states do allow licensure after 1 year, but getting a job as a GP will be quite difficult.

 

[KrauseXian]

I have a hard time believing that all prelim and transitional programs are/were taken. This is the best option, but an alternative would be high quality research for a year.

Some states do allow licensure after 1 year, but getting a job as a GP will be quite difficult.

You probably know a lot more than I do, I'm just figuring all this stuff out for the first time. But, the NRMP website's "Unfilled List" currently has a total of 1 Transitional programs listed with one opening. Maybe others show up later or are on a different list.

 

[TexasPhysician]

You probably know a lot more than I do, I'm just figuring all this stuff out for the first time. But, the NRMP website's "Unfilled List" currently has a total of 1 Transitional programs listed with one opening. Maybe others show up later or are on a different list.

And what about the prelim spots? You aren’t including those which are less desirable.

 

[uname943]

You probably know a lot more than I do, I'm just figuring all this stuff out for the first time. But, the NRMP website's "Unfilled List" currently has a total of 1 Transitional programs listed with one opening. Maybe others show up later or are on a different list.

Your school should be helping you with all this. Start calling the programs directly?

 

[KrauseXian]

Your school should be helping you with all this. Start calling the programs directly?

That would have been nice. I agree. :-/ I'm calling and emailing every spot I hear about. 🙂 Thanks.

 

[CaribbeanMD]

I am a US Allopathic graduating senior - all course work in the USA. I applied to Psychiatry and I did not match in the normal match or the SOAP. Apparently, Psychiatry got much more competitive this year and either my scores we too low, I was off cycle, I didn't interview well, or maybe all of it. What's next?

Should I try to take any residency out there that I can find an make peace with a different specialty even when I really wanted psychiatry?

Should I wait and try again next year for Psych?

Should I try again next year for something else? (I also like FM and Peds a lot.)

Should I try to do some transitional program if I can find one and hope they give me 2 months to do interviews again then slide into a PGY-2 spot? or maybe a research job instead? I'm worried about anything that'll keep me busy during interview season if I re-apply.

Thanks for your advice !

Hi KrauseXian.

Sorry it didn't work out this year, I know how it goes as I was in the same position last year. I didn't end up getting into any prelim/transitional spots during the soap either.

If psych is your end goal like it was for me, definitely stick to it.

I ended up getting an MPH during my year off-- Look into 1 year accelerated programs in your area and see if there are any affiliated with psychiatry residency programs-- That's what I did and it ended up being where I matched (my #1 choice). Also, during this time I was able to join on to a research project with the psych department where I'm doing my MPH there and was also able to take Step 3 between the summer/fall classes during the 3-week break. I would recommend doing this if you're okay with exams because a lot of the places I interviewed at highlighted that they liked applicants with Step 3 already done. I also started volunteering once a week at a psych nonprofit organization. It sounds like a lot but it is definitely doable and certainly helped my app as I received almost 2x as many interviews as the previous year (12 this year, 7 last year). A lot of the PDs liked that I continued my education and MPH's are super relevant to medicine as well as interesting. (Should probably also mention that I'm an IMG and applied a little more broadly the second time around so that may have also helped with getting more IVs.)

Good luck!

 

[KrauseXian]

Hi KrauseXian.

Sorry it didn't work out this year, I know how it goes as I was in the same position last year. I didn't end up getting into any prelim/transitional spots during the soap either.

If psych is your end goal like it was for me, definitely stick to it.

I ended up getting an MPH during my year off-- Look into 1 year accelerated programs in your area and see if there are any affiliated with psychiatry residency programs-- That's what I did and it ended up being where I matched (my #1 choice). Also, during this time I was able to join on to a research project with the psych department where I'm doing my MPH there and was also able to take Step 3 between the summer/fall classes during the 3-week break. I would recommend doing this if you're okay with exams because a lot of the places I interviewed at highlighted that they liked applicants with Step 3 already done. I also started volunteering once a week at a psych nonprofit organization. It sounds like a lot but it is definitely doable and certainly helped my app as I received almost 2x as many interviews as the previous year (12 this year, 7 last year). A lot of the PDs liked that I continued my education and MPH's are super relevant to medicine as well as interesting. (Should probably also mention that I'm an IMG and applied a little more broadly the second time around so that may have also helped with getting more IVs.)

Good luck!

This was extremely encouraging to read. Thank you very much. I'll try my best to do as many of these as possible!