Switching residency programs??

[iwumd07]

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Hey guys and gals,

I am currently an intern doing my prelim in Internal Medicine, and matched at a top tier Chicago program for CA1-3 years. I am really excited to go there, however my fiancé has recently been contracted to work in San Francisco for a top consulting firm for the next 5 years. I was wondering if it is at all possible to switch residency programs from where I am supposed to go, to somewhere in the Bay area, preferably with a similar quality of training and reputation. Is it possible before even beginning your CA-1 year? If so, what is the best way to approach this situation? And is this sort of question and act frowned upon in the academic anesthesiology world today?

Thanks,

Iwumd

 

[MTGas2B]

Hey guys and gals,

I am currently an intern doing my prelim in Internal Medicine, and matched at a top tier Chicago program for CA1-3 years. I am really excited to go there, however my fiancé has recently been contracted to work in San Francisco for a top consulting firm for the next 5 years. I was wondering if it is at all possible to switch residency programs from where I am supposed to go, to somewhere in the Bay area, preferably with a similar quality of training and reputation. Is it possible before even beginning your CA-1 year? If so, what is the best way to approach this situation? And is this sort of question and act frowned upon in the academic anesthesiology world today?

Thanks,

Iwumd

So, I didn't switch program, but we did have a guy who came to our program for his CA-3 years. It is possible to switch. First, the programs have to have spots. Most programs have a few spots they keep for outside the match fills. You probably want to find out if UCSF or Stanford (or UC Davis if you don't being a few hours apart) have any. I'm not familiar enough with those programs to tell how you they usually handle them. If they do have spots, then find out their timeline and application process. Start early, truth is they may have them already filled.

As far as leaving your Chicago program. Its probably easier since you're not in categorical anesthesiology intern year. I assume you're interning at a different program. Your new program doesn't own you yet, and I believe this is still true, matching is only binding for first year (although I've know people who changed internships mid year). If you are able to get a spot out west, a phone call with the PD to explain, and polite letter to make it official. If it doesn't work out, no need to chat with them about it, and show up on the first day as that guy who tried to leave.

My $0.02

 

[iwumd07]

So according to the NRMP match stats, there are no open anesthesia spots out in that area. Any advice?

 

[pgy13]

Hey guys and gals,

I am currently an intern doing my prelim in Internal Medicine, and matched at a top tier Chicago program for CA1-3 years. I am really excited to go there, however my fiancé has recently been contracted to work in San Francisco for a top consulting firm for the next 5 years. I was wondering if it is at all possible to switch residency programs from where I am supposed to go, to somewhere in the Bay area, preferably with a similar quality of training and reputation. Is it possible before even beginning your CA-1 year? If so, what is the best way to approach this situation? And is this sort of question and act frowned upon in the academic anesthesiology world today?

Thanks,

Iwumd

Assuming you are able to find a spot, the NRMP would actually have to grant you a match waiver or you are violating your contract with them. And they tend to not look favorably on love as a reason for switching programs. It is irrelevent whether the Chicago program supports the switch. You may want to look at the NRMP website.

 

[Idiopathic]

yeah you pretty much cant do this on the sly. if you start contacting SF programs without letting your program know, it wont reflect favorably on you. i could see a call to the education offices at those programs to inquire as to the option of transferring in, and what the application policy is though. then you at least know before you ruin yourself at your Chicago place (which would happen), but anything more than that I would think you should discuss with the PD where you matched.

Ive seen two incoming and one outgoing transfer in the last 5+ years, all CA3 level.

 

[MTGas2B]

So according to the NRMP match stats, there are no open anesthesia spots out in that area. Any advice?

Programs have spots outside of the match that won't show up in the NRMP database.

 

[MTGas2B]

Assuming you are able to find a spot, the NRMP would actually have to grant you a match waiver or you are violating your contract with them. And they tend to not look favorably on love as a reason for switching programs. It is irrelevent whether the Chicago program supports the switch. You may want to look at the NRMP website.

Again, echo above, check the rules. I'm pretty sure that a match is only binding for a year.