Switching residencies after successful match

[lizardsuck]

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I am a USMD who recently matched TY + DR this year. Due to some recent life circumstances (parent diagnosed with cancer) and months of reflection I have come to the realization that I would prefer to be in a patient facing specialty (IM). A large part of the reason I chose to apply DR was due to significant burnout during medical school but the last few months have made me remember my motivation for going in to medicine and now I’m fully committed to the idea of wanting to switch.

My question is would I still be competitive for a decent IM program as I would be considered a reapplicant? And would a change of specialty waiver be my best course of action in terms of applying to the match again? I graduated from a T25 medical school with 7/8 Honors, AOA, 27x Step 2 score and 5 pubs (mostly radiology related).

Not trying to be convinced of staying in rads as I’ve already put a significant amount of thought into my reasons for wanting to switch. Just hoping to get some advice on my best course of action. Thanks!

 

[HemeOncHopeful19]

If you can’t come to your own independent conclusion that you are a fine candidate for IM based on your stats then I question your independent decision to leave Rads for IM in the first place.

 

[Lost in Translation]

To answer your question directly: yes you would be competitive for top IM residencies. Since you’ll be doing a TY, you might even be able to start in IM as a PGY2, but I would consider this icing on the cake and not place too much hope in this possibility.

Your next step is to talk to your DR program director about your intentions so you can get support and a LOR. Be transparent as it helps your DR program start looking to fill your DR-1 spot and they will appreciate that.

 

[lizardsuck]

If you can’t come to your own independent conclusion that you are a fine candidate for IM based on your stats then I question your independent decision to leave Rads for IM in the first place.

It’s not that I question my candidacy or ability to match, I’m just not sure how they would view my application as a reapplicant, especially more academic programs.

 

[lizardsuck]

To answer your question directly: yes you would be competitive for top IM residencies. Since you’ll be doing a TY, you might even be able to start in IM as a PGY2, but I would consider this icing on the cake and not place too much hope in this possibility.

Your next step is to talk to your DR program director about your intentions so you can get support and a LOR. Be transparent as it helps your DR program start looking to fill your DR-1 spot and they will appreciate that.

That makes sense. And I would still need to get a LOR from my DR program? I plan on telling them soon just not sure how my PD would write a LOR given I haven’t spent much if any time with them at all.

 

[smq123]

That makes sense. And I would still need to get a LOR from my DR program? I plan on telling them soon just not sure how my PD would write a LOR given I haven’t spent much if any time with them at all.

The LOR confirms that you went through the process in an ethical and above-board way. It doesn't have to talk about your clinical skills, but it will attest to the fact that they are aware that you are switching specialties, and that you told them in a reasonable timeframe.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You'll apply for a match waiver due to change of specialty. Since you just matched, your TY will start this July. As long as you request the waiver before January, it will be approved. Of course, tell your DR program about it so they are not surprised.

You'll get a letter from your TY program. You won't need a letter from your DR program as you'll never work there.

As mentioned above, you may have the opportunity to start as a PGY-2 if your TY will count as a PGY-1. Much depends on the PGY-1 content. Although there are certain to be plenty of PGY-2 openings available in IM, where they will be is unknown. For certain, good programs will have openings. Your best option is to apply for PGY-1 spots in the match, and you can write in your PS that you're happy to consider a PGY-2 position should one be open - although many programs with open PGY-2 positions will screen their apps for people like yourself.

 

[lizardsuck]

You'll apply for a match waiver due to change of specialty. Since you just matched, your TY will start this July. As long as you request the waiver before January, it will be approved. Of course, tell your DR program about it so they are not surprised.

You'll get a letter from your TY program. You won't need a letter from your DR program as you'll never work there.

As mentioned above, you may have the opportunity to start as a PGY-2 if your TY will count as a PGY-1. Much depends on the PGY-1 content. Although there are certain to be plenty of PGY-2 openings available in IM, where they will be is unknown. For certain, good programs will have openings. Your best option is to apply for PGY-1 spots in the match, and you can write in your PS that you're happy to consider a PGY-2 position should one be open - although many programs with open PGY-2 positions will screen their apps for people like yourself.

Thank you for explaining the process that answered many of the questions I had. In your opinion is what I’m trying to do reasonable? I do hope to match an academic program although I don’t have a specific fellowship goals now. This isn’t a something I have taken lightly of course, have had more than a few sleepless nights regarding this decision.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It's totally reasonable -- as long as you're certain you don't want DR any more. You chose it for a reason. If you move back into IM and then are miserable, changing again will be quite difficult.