Switching Residencies- Please Help

[residencyswitch]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi All,

I recently matched for a competitive residency program. I am currently doing my intern year and will be starting my advanced year after this year. Ever since I applied for my chosen specialty I always had a deep feeling as if I made the wrong decision. As the application cycle was ongoing, I just decided to power through it and hope that my feelings were temporary. After arriving at my current residency where I will be doing my intern and advanced residency years, I finally realized that I not only extremely dislike the location but also the specialty. A big factor is the location of my residency, as well as the fact that I don't think that I will enjoy my chosen specialty.

At this point I don't know what to do or who to talk to. Should I complete my intern year? Should I start my advanced year and see if maybe my thoughts will change? I just can't imagine spending another 4 years of my life in a location that I dislike, for a specialty that I am not enthusiastic about.

I did well in med school, with good test scores etc. I feel like I could be competitive if I reapply but I just don't know what to do.

I greatly appreciate your input.

 

[rokshana]

your competitiveness decreases after your 4th year…and your intern IN your advanced specialty? how is that you now know you won't like like the advanced position? And what specialty are you thinking? if it is a less competitive one (say FM or Pysch) then you may be able to take the chance in going through the match.

if its just about location…well one its temporary and two you may be able to see if a spot opens up in a place you consider desirable (though usually unexpected openings rarely open in "desirable" locations.

its june…you should most definitely complete your intern year….without it you won't be able to look at advanced positions and would have to redo an intern year.

 

[Law2Doc]

For sure you are going to want to finish the intern year. Foolish not to. After that, the question is whether you can find an opening outside the match or do you sit tight until the next match. In the mean time figure out what you want to go into and why you think you'll like it better.

 

[Winged Scapula]

If location is a big issue, what's the reason you can't deal with it for just a few years? Perhaps it's because I'm the sort of person, that while I certainly have preferences (warm, large city), who could be happy anywhere for a limited period of time.

I would caution you not to make any rash decisions: the start of residency is an emotional and physical upheaval for everyone. If you couple that with being unhappy geographically, it can be easy to assume that a change of specialty and/or location will make you happy.

 

[residencyswitch]

I have many reasons not to go into the chosen specialty. First, I don't want to spend 4 years in the current city. Second, my SO lives far away. Third, I don't think I would be happy in my chosen specialty. In some ways I wish I hadn't matched, as I would have many more options now.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

I have many reasons not to go into the chosen specialty. First, I don't want to spend 4 years in the current city. Second, my SO lives far away. Third, I don't think I would be happen in my chosen specialty. In some ways I wish I hadn't matched, as I would have many more options now.

1. This is a geographic issue.
2. This is a geographic issue.
3. You haven't even really started your specialty, so how are you so sure that you wouldn't like it? You liked it enough to match for it, so there must be something about it you found good.
4. If you hadn't matched, you would be in a worse position than now, worrying if you'd ever find a residency spot like so many others out there.

It seems like your main issue is the location rather than the specialty. It's four years, you can get through it. If your relationship with your SO is strong enough, you can get through 4 years living apart. Don't make a rash decision about your future so easily.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I have many reasons not to go into the chosen specialty. First, I don't want to spend 4 years in the current city. Second, my SO lives far away. Third, I don't think I would be happen in my chosen specialty. In some ways I wish I hadn't matched, as I would have many more options now.

I'm going to ask 2 questions that everyone is thinking but hasn't asked yet:

1) if you knew your SO would be far away and you wouldn't like the city you're in, then why did you rank your current program?

2) have you considered having your SO move closer to you instead of you moving?

Would I be wrong in assuming that your primary goal is to be near your SO and that perhaps you would consider many other specialities as long as they were geographically desirable? If so that will increase your chances of obtaining a position.

Failing to complete your intern year will hurt you significantly. You will be labeled as someone who failed to finish something they started, who does not honor commitments (although the NRMP only requires you to stay 45 days, your program assumes you are staying until June 30) and you will not be eligible for a license.

 

[residencyswitch]

Thank you for all the responses. I really didn't expect to match at this program, as it was pretty low on my rank list. Also I didn't really realize how bad the location is because everyone I spoke to painted a very embellished picture of the city and institution. Second, I thought that regardless of where I matched I would be happy as long as I match into my chosen specialty. Now that I realize that the location and specialty are really not for me, for various good and legitimate reasons, I would be willing to go to many other specialties. In fact, I would be willing to go into many different specialties just to match into the city where I graduated med school and where my SO lives.

 

[Winged Scapula]

This should serve as a lesson that one should not rank ANY program that they wouldn't be comfortable going to.

The fact that you are willing to accept ANY specialty simply to be back home makes your options greater. While the NRMP only requires that you stay 45 days in your current program, failing to finish looks bad and if you fail to match in your desired location, then at least you have your advanced position to continue on in and you will be eligible for a medical license as an AMG.

I'd start by looking at what residencies are available to you in your desired location or nearby and what would be acceptable to you.

 

[residencyswitch]

Thank you for the advice. One question that I have is who would I ask for letters this early in the game? Do I reapply through eras or should I contact the school in the desired location directly? I could just apply next year and then have a gap year, which would be nice.

The situation is also a bit more complicated than I explained, but for the interest of privacy and brevity it is shortened.

Furthermore, I was actually relatively happy about the city/program when I ranked it. However, the people that I spoke to didn't paint such a realistic picture of the program and location. Given that I was unsure of the program I just ranked it low on my list. The good part at least is that I matched into my intern year in the same location/program as my advanced position. I think I got lucky because I can judge the city/program myself without being surprised next year if I had matched for my intern year somewhere else.

At this point I am just looking at all my option. I am not rushing into things, but any advice is always appreciated.

 

[rokshana]

frankly you sound more homesick and heartsick than anything else…..

if "any" other specialty would be ok with you …meaning you didn't just realize that you have a passion for some other specialty, why not just stay in your advanced specialty….and again, HOW do you know that the advanced specialty is not for you? I'm assuming that since you separate the intern nd advanced years, that the intern year is in something like IM or surgery…

you may have some luck if there is a family reason for switching to a position somewhere closer to the SO (married? or just dating?)

and no…you really probably would not be better off if you didn't match…at the moment you have the ability to do a residency and practice as a physician someday….those that did not match are not so assured of this….and you would not really have more options as an unmatched graduate…even as an AMG .

you could see if there are any unexpected openings in the area where your SO is...

 

[Top Gun]

Hi All,

I recently matched for a competitive residency program. I am currently doing my intern year and will be starting my advanced year after this year. Ever since I applied for my chosen specialty I always had a deep feeling as if I made the wrong decision. As the application cycle was ongoing, I just decided to power through it and hope that my feelings were temporary. After arriving at my current residency where I will be doing my intern and advanced residency years, I finally realized that I not only extremely dislike the location but also the specialty. A big factor is the location of my residency, as well as the fact that I don't think that I will enjoy my chosen specialty.

At this point I don't know what to do or who to talk to. Should I complete my intern year? Should I start my advanced year and see if maybe my thoughts will change? I just can't imagine spending another 4 years of my life in a location that I dislike, for a specialty that I am not enthusiastic about.

I did well in med school, with good test scores etc. I feel like I could be competitive if I reapply but I just don't know what to do.

I greatly appreciate your input.

I have a question. If your gut told you your chosen specialty was wrong for you, why did you apply for it? Its always best to listen to your instincts when choosing a specialty.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

As you can see from the above posters, there is some concern that your decision might be driven by homesickness and not be fully thought out. I share that concern, especially if you're just starting your intern year now

However, assuming you want to switch, here's what you need to do:

To change your advanced position, you need to get a match waiver. If you ask for one from the NRMP before Jan 15 due to a change in interest in specialties it is automatic. Once you do this it is irreversible - you can't get your spot back and you can't apply to that specialty again. Theoretically you're not allowed to look for a new position until you resign your current one.

To change your prelim position you need to complete at least 45 days. You can start looking for a new spot now if you want. You will ultimately need to give reasonable notice - 60 days minimum, 90 days is better

If you're a high quality US grad someone will give you another chance. But you may find it harder than last app cycle. Not to mention that interviewing while being an intern is not easy. You may need to use vacation the to do so

 

[ThoracicGuy]

If you're a high quality US grad someone will give you another chance. But you may find it harder than last app cycle. Not to mention that interviewing while being an intern is not easy. You may need to use vacation the to do so

What also needs to be understood by the OP is that they can apply to other fields and might be able to get something, but chances are it will not be in the limited geographical area that they want to be. There's a chance of being further away in a place that the OP likes even less than the current location.

 

[Winged Scapula]

What also needs to be understood by the OP is that they can apply to other fields and might be able to get something, but chances are it will not be in the limited geographical area that they want to be. There's a chance of being further away in a place that the OP likes even less than the current location.

True but only if she makes the same mistake and ranks a program outside of her desired geographical area.

 

[Raryn]

True but only if she makes the same mistake and ranks a program outside of her desired geographical area.

It's only a "mistake" if you don't consider the alternative being potentially permanent unemployment. Well, at least as a physician. Suppose OP could always get employed as a barrista.

 

[Law2Doc]

Also I would caution that just as the residency experience has soured for the OP now that she's started, a lot can happen in a year on the relationship front. I know a TON of people who opted for second choice residencies or programs to be closer to someone special and yet that relationship quickly ended due to the stresses of residency. So if the OP isn't happy primarily because she's far away from someone, it better be a pretty real commitment IMHO before you take a career hit. I'd get a ring before you eg swap derm for FM.

What's missing in this whole discussion is any mention of what OP thinks she would like more. You don't pick a career by saying "Ill take anything closer to my SO." You don't pick a career by saying I hate this geography and this field I interviewed and matched into after presumably working long and hard to get it. Especially during t prelim year before you've even started. if the OP was saying "I thought I liked X but I've come to the realization that Y is a better fit for me" I think we could all get behind it. But a Laundry list of why OP is unhappy at X really sound like she misses her SO or is homesick, and i think most of us realize that these are Often passing feelings and not things that you can base career decisions without at some point regretting.

 

[residencyswitch]

Law2Doc, I agree with your analysis. I do have a good reason for switching and I do have one or two fields in mind. I do have a good argument for "I thought I liked X but I've come to the realization that Y is a much better fit for me". However, in the interest of anonymity I would like to not reveal those specific reasons because that would easily reveal what specialty I am in and possibly even location.

Thanks.

 

[residencyswitch]

Also, where do applicants look for open residency positions? Is there a website?

 

[Kahreek]

i had this feeling when i went to medschool, like I felt it wasnt somehow the city i was supposed to be in. Well things have changed, people move and depart, you learn to like/tolerate where you are, life is changing everyday, you meet new people, not matter how ****ty conditions are you will always have someone to share your misery with. Sometimes just going forward is the right option, compared to trying to backtrack.

 

[residencyswitch]

Kahreek, you definitely have a good point. We will see how this plays out. I'll definitely give it a chance.

 

[residencyswitch]

Just a quick question...do i have to let my advanced position know before I apply to another specialty? I just want to fill out the application and see if I have a chance of matching somewhere else before I let my residency director know. Plus I will make sure to give them plenty of time in advance. Not sure how this is supposed to work.

 

[Raryn]

Just a quick question...do i have to let my advanced position know before I apply to another specialty? I just want to fill out the application and see if I have a chance of matching somewhere else before I let my residency director know. Plus I will make sure to give them plenty of time in advance. Not sure how this is supposed to work.

You have to waive your previous match before you apply to a different specialty.