So I want to switch programs...

[Metaform]

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Hi All,

Im kind of in a bind because Im in the process for applying to a PGY-2 position in medicine in a university setting. Im currentl a categorical at a small community program that is an "IV league affiliate" which is nice but its a tiny hospital and we dont really see much. And, the only reason I'm in medicine is for heme-onc fellowship. So there's my motivation for moving.

I have 2 problems.

1. They want my current PD's contact info - I am in good standing and PD would likely be understanding (albeit disappointed that I want to leave), however I am reluctant to provide that because I havent told him yet because if the program doesnt take me then Im afraid of being on the **** list.

2. Most programs want 3 LORs which is fine but all of mine were electronically submitted. I doubt any of my previous letter writers kept their letters and that they will remember who the heck I am.
I have attendings who I can ask for new LORs but then again Im afraid Ill be burning bridges...

Would it be asking too much to request the program to allow me to furnish LORs till I receive a soft offer at least? I think it's pretty reasonable since that is kind of how it works in like every other field of work..

Appreciate any insight, Thanks!

 

[veedie]

I think you probably be better off staying right there . If you have good relationship with your PD that can open so many doors for you. Now is a good time to cultivate knowledge & skill to ace ABIM in few yrs bc it's coming. You will rotate likely at the large hospital and meet/work wh the heme/onc docs. Your chances will be same as others as long as you work hard, stay out of trouble and show yourself clinically strong. The rest does not matter. A good relationship with your PD and good clinical skills is worth much. Take it from me, stay right where you are and hone your skills. When u interview for jobs people ask way 2 many questions as it is and any career moves like that are subject to scrutiny. Just be at peace and work hard....you are in a privileged position.

 

[Raryn]

Hi All,

Im kind of in a bind because Im in the process for applying to a PGY-2 position in medicine in a university setting. Im currentl a categorical at a small community program that is an "IV league affiliate" which is nice but its a tiny hospital and we dont really see much. And, the only reason I'm in medicine is for heme-onc fellowship. So there's my motivation for moving.

I have 2 problems.

1. They want my current PD's contact info - I am in good standing and PD would likely be understanding (albeit disappointed that I want to leave), however I am reluctant to provide that because I havent told him yet because if the program doesnt take me then Im afraid of being on the **** list.

2. Most programs want 3 LORs which is fine but all of mine were electronically submitted. I doubt any of my previous letter writers kept their letters and that they will remember who the heck I am.
I have attendings who I can ask for new LORs but then again Im afraid Ill be burning bridges...

Would it be asking too much to request the program to allow me to furnish LORs till I receive a soft offer at least? I think it's pretty reasonable since that is kind of how it works in like every other field of work..

Appreciate any insight, Thanks!

1. You won't get a spot without them talking to your current PD. At some point you're going to have to buck up and tell your current program.
2. Chances are your letter writers (or their secretaries) kept copies of your letters. If not, your med school dean's office probably has copies.

 

[Doctor Bob]

Im currentl a categorical at a small community program that is an "IV league affiliate"

An IV league? Do you go to one of the crystalloids or colloids?

But seriously... you need to let your PD know, and soon. Burning bridges or not, other programs won't even consider you until they talk with your current program.

As for LORs. Your medschool LORs are now a year old. Any LORs you send to the new program should be from people who have worked with you during your internship year.

 

[Metaform]

lol @Doctor Bob , i had to look at your post a couple times before i got it.. i meant ivy....

anyways. my life right now is pretty comfortable, the workload is very manageable. does anyone else agree with @veedie ? is it worth it to move to a university program from a community hospital that has link to one?

 

[gutonc]

lol @Doctor Bob , i had to look at your post a couple times before i got it.. i meant ivy....

anyways. my life right now is pretty comfortable, the workload is very manageable. does anyone else agree with @veedie ? is it worth it to move to a university program from a community hospital that has link to one?

A bigger question in my mind is, what made you wind up at that community program in the first place, and what makes you think you have a good chance of getting into a "better" program?

 

[Metaform]

Not really sure, I had interviews at bigger places, and I thought they went particularly well and in a fair amount of them went better than the interview at my current program.. yet somehow i ended up at my 2nd to last choice. I ranked it on ROL for obvious reasons.

My scores are decent, decent enough for IM, I have no red flags on my record, and some clinical research experience at reputable institutions on my CV. I dont see why I wouldnt have a chance at a better program.. Im not looking for Mass General here, just a decent university level program.

 

[gutonc]

My scores are decent, decent enough for IM, I have no red flags on my record, and some clinical research experience at reputable institutions on my CV. I dont see why I wouldnt have a chance at a better program.. Im not looking for Mass General here, just a decent university level program.

Well, you had a chance at better programs before, and it didn't work out. That was my point. I'm not saying you don't have a chance at all, but "trading up" isn't common in this situation.

 

[QofQuimica]

I would say that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. You sound pretty happy at your current program. Don't go screwing that up just because you're so busy chasing after the perfect that you can't recognize the good when it's right in front of you.

And even if it is broke, think twice before fixing it. There's no guarantee that your new situation will be any better. If anything, the better your current situation is, the more chance that the new situation would be considerably worse.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You could try to do an away elective at the affiliated program, presumably Heme/Onc, and try to do a research project with someone at the university hospital. Not as good as being at the university program.

 

[Metaform]

@aProgDirector most of our electives are at the univ program. Of course I have a choice to do away electives of my choosing. But I guess you all are right. It's not malignant place and life is pretty cozy right now.


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[veedie]

Trust me, if you stay at that program your in and do well, you are saving yourself problems in the future. Just keep studying and being a good resident e.g. doing mksap/medstudy readings with questions and present yourself as knowledgeable and trustworthy. It will open so many doors for you to get into fellowship. You are in a privileged position, stay right there. I would not lie to you...im speaking from my heart. Stay there and learn all you can.

 

[anonperson]

Hi All,

Im kind of in a bind because Im in the process for applying to a PGY-2 position in medicine in a university setting. Im currentl a categorical at a small community program that is an "IV league affiliate" which is nice but its a tiny hospital and we dont really see much. And, the only reason I'm in medicine is for heme-onc fellowship. So there's my motivation for moving.

I have 2 problems.

1. They want my current PD's contact info - I am in good standing and PD would likely be understanding (albeit disappointed that I want to leave), however I am reluctant to provide that because I havent told him yet because if the program doesnt take me then Im afraid of being on the **** list.

2. Most programs want 3 LORs which is fine but all of mine were electronically submitted. I doubt any of my previous letter writers kept their letters and that they will remember who the heck I am.
I have attendings who I can ask for new LORs but then again Im afraid Ill be burning bridges...

Would it be asking too much to request the program to allow me to furnish LORs till I receive a soft offer at least? I think it's pretty reasonable since that is kind of how it works in like every other field of work..

Appreciate any insight, Thanks!

If you want to switch anywhere, you will need the blessing of your PD.

Any LORs will need to be from residency. Med school LORs don't mean anything at this point in the game.

I would think long and hard before trying to pull a move like this. I was actually in your shoes but for a different specialty. Had a couple of red flags but went to a solid med school. Got a lot of interviews from high powered university programs and community programs. Matched near the bottom of my rank list to a community program in the middle of nowhere. Was devastated and thought I would hate the program. Learned to like it and realized it was probably the best place for me. Training was great and faculty was supportive. Ended up matching for a competitive fellowship at a great university program with no problem.

Sorry for my rambling story, but I think it's important to note that you cannot discount the environment where you work/learn as not contributing to your success. Whose to say that if you started your training at one of these big name academic environments you wouldn't have flamed out or not reached your potential due to a malignant environment. It's like in football where a QB does well on one team but fails to find that same success in another (unless you're Peyton Manning or some $hit).

 

[Metaform]

Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated. I think I will stay the course and just bust my ***. I think I'm just being spoiled.

@gutonc from your handle, I assume your oncologist? Mind if I pick your brain via PM? Thanks!

 

[Sheldor]

Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated. I think I will stay the course and just bust my ***. I think I'm just being spoiled.

@gutonc from your handle, I assume your oncologist? Mind if I pick your brain via PM? Thanks!

I always assumed gutonc was a surg onc!

 

[Winged Scapula]

I always assumed gutonc was a surg onc!

Nope.

Med Onc.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Well, I'll share an anecdote-- take from it what you will.

I went to an Ivy League med school (CV in the signature, as always). We had a 'affiliated' residency program in Connecticut-- Stamford Hospital. It proudly trumpeted its affiliation and we med students rotated there for at least one clerkship. The housestaff were 100% FMG, about 90% Caribbean grads. The program was lovely-- comfortable, supportive, great perks, reasonable hours, on-site housing! The pathology in the hospital was the routine of the routine-- complete bread and butter. It was about as polar opposite as you could get from the Mothership, which is a highly malignant quaternary hospital.

The chief resident was a lovely guy who wanted more than anything to become a cardiologist, but he had essentially no shot of matching. He tried like three times and was unsuccessful-- no red flags, just a Carib med school and Stamford residency working against him. What did the Columbia 'affiliation' do for him? Absolutely zip. He arranged a cards elective at the Mothership but was frankly outperformed by the Columbia residents (largely due to 'systems issues' that make any visiting elective difficult). He was so bitter and demoralized because he realized there was just nothing he could do to make it happen for himself. I think he would have been a good cardiologist-- he was the first to really take the time to sit with me, for hours, to teach EKGs, and I deeply appreciated it.

So yeah, if you want cards/GI/Heme-- you really might think about transferring. If no one in your program has successfully landed a Heme/onc fellowship, you should definitely think about transferring.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I always assumed gutonc was a surg onc!

Did the brusque online personality suggest that to you? 😉