Hi everyone,
I found this board very useful last year when I realized that I was unhappy in my residency specialty, so I figured it was my duty to post my experiences for those that may be going through something similar.
My situation: I matched into internal medicine last year and though I was happy with my program, I soon realized that I was not a good fit for internal medicine. In fact, I realized that I was much better suited to pediatrics. Though the initial feelings of dread were sort of angst-provoking, I soon realized that it is NOT THE END OF THE WORLD IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT YOUR SPECIALTY CHOICE DURING INTERN YEAR. It happens all the time, and on the interview trail this year I met countless facultry that related similar stories such as ("you know, a lot of people around here don't realize that I actually started out as a surgeon" etc etc)
What I did: in August of my intern year I decided to change to pediatrics. I told my program director (and she happens to be SUPER supportive of us so it was low stress). I then simply filled out ERAS again (semi-painful, but whatever) and submitted my application. My ERAS application was done through my home school and it was already pre-populated with my letters of recommendation from the previous year.
I then received intereviews just like a regular applicant. I had to condense my interviews into November all at once during some vacation time and an easy elective (again, semi-painful but totally doable).
What happened: I matched into pediatrics at my top choice and I'm absolutely thrilled.
Sure, plenty of people on the interview trail will ask you about your decision to switch, so just make sure you have very valid reasons for doing so. For me, I realized my true passions were with children, and so it was an easy discussion to have. For those switching from IM to Rads or such, the "reasons" may be harder to portray (i.e. - I like the lifestyle).
Anyway, I just wanted to let those of you know that were struggling out there that it CAN be done.
For disclosure, I'm a US grad from a decent US med school with above average board scores. My IM program is at a "name" program as is my peds program. Good luck to all.
I found this board very useful last year when I realized that I was unhappy in my residency specialty, so I figured it was my duty to post my experiences for those that may be going through something similar.
My situation: I matched into internal medicine last year and though I was happy with my program, I soon realized that I was not a good fit for internal medicine. In fact, I realized that I was much better suited to pediatrics. Though the initial feelings of dread were sort of angst-provoking, I soon realized that it is NOT THE END OF THE WORLD IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT YOUR SPECIALTY CHOICE DURING INTERN YEAR. It happens all the time, and on the interview trail this year I met countless facultry that related similar stories such as ("you know, a lot of people around here don't realize that I actually started out as a surgeon" etc etc)
What I did: in August of my intern year I decided to change to pediatrics. I told my program director (and she happens to be SUPER supportive of us so it was low stress). I then simply filled out ERAS again (semi-painful, but whatever) and submitted my application. My ERAS application was done through my home school and it was already pre-populated with my letters of recommendation from the previous year.
I then received intereviews just like a regular applicant. I had to condense my interviews into November all at once during some vacation time and an easy elective (again, semi-painful but totally doable).
What happened: I matched into pediatrics at my top choice and I'm absolutely thrilled.
Sure, plenty of people on the interview trail will ask you about your decision to switch, so just make sure you have very valid reasons for doing so. For me, I realized my true passions were with children, and so it was an easy discussion to have. For those switching from IM to Rads or such, the "reasons" may be harder to portray (i.e. - I like the lifestyle).
Anyway, I just wanted to let those of you know that were struggling out there that it CAN be done.
For disclosure, I'm a US grad from a decent US med school with above average board scores. My IM program is at a "name" program as is my peds program. Good luck to all.
