Should I Defer Residency?

[zebritc]

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Strange question, I know. However, I was just offered an opportunity that I don't know that I can pass up.

I am looking to go through the Match next fall for 2009. However, I may be taking an incredible translational research opportunity that spring. Is it possible to match and then delay your start date for one year? (I know this is possible in medical school.) I am going into dermatology, and would consider delaying both my Prelim year and any advanced position and/or any categorical position I matched into. Is this possible? I know that deferring residency can have some very strange implications in some ways but may end up having to consider this as well.

 

[Llenroc]

What is the place that you match into supposed to do? Go find someone in the scramble, and then offer you a position out of the match the next year? No way are they going to put up with that, especially for the most competetive field of Dermatology.

 

[Winged Scapula]

It is possible to defer your residency after the match, but your program obviously has to be willing to allow you to do so. After all, you have matched and agreed to start on a certain date...and in your case, you would have to have the permission of two programs, not just one.

I wouldn't count on it, but it has been done before.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Defering a residency is much more difficult than it used to be. In the past, programs could simply "defer" you for a year and fill the slot. Now, the NRMP must approve all match waivers. Since you know about this option long before the match, there is NO WAY they will approve a match waiver. If you were to match and then not go to your PGY-1, they will likely consider it a match violation which would void your contract, and bar you from participating in the match in the future -- a bad outcome all around.

Your best options are a few:

1. Do the research, and match the following year. This probably makes the most sense.
2. Match into your prelim PGY-1 only. Apply for derm while a PGY-1, match (for a year in the future), and then do the research between your prelim and derm residecnies. This assumes the research is postponable for a year.
3. Bag the research. try to match into derm. If you fail to match, do the research year and apply again. This is the most practical approach.