Switching programs

[Cucumbers]

I searched and couldn't find the answer to my question... The problem is that I matched to a program in a city I CANNOT live in for personal/family problems. I happen to know there is an opening in a program in the geographic location i would like to go to.

How can I pull off this switch? Who should I approach first? I'm pretty sure id be violating some NRMP policy, but id be willing to do anything to get this done... thanks for any and all advice, im desperate right now.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I hate to say the obvious, but you shouldn't have ranked a program in a city you can't live in.

If the problem is a new hardship, which you couldn't forsee before ranking, then you can request a waiver from the NRMP. They will review your situation.

You can resign from your program. Most contracts require 2-3 months of notice to do so. An interesting question is whether that 2-3 month clock starts now, or when the contract starts -- probably the latter.

Another program cannot take you if you violate your match contract -- that makes them a match violator also, and puts their entire match process at risk.

 

[Cucumbers]

Thanks for the reply. What type of hardship would be acceptable by the NRMP? How about significant other in another city? Has this ever been done successfully by an intern before?

The bigger question is- who should i speak to first? Thanks again.

 

[Winged Scapula]

An SO in another city wouldn't count unless they were unexpectedly transferred after the ROL was due. If not, NRMP is well within their rights to deny your waiver as it would be expected that you knew that if you matched to city X you would be away from your SO. Since you ranked it, it was assumed you were ok with that. Even if the event occured after the ROL due date, they are under no obligation to let you out of your contract.