Switching specialties?

[AnesGuru]

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I am currently in my preliminary year and am considering switching specialties from anesthesiology to a different field of medicine. I have not firmly made a decision on what I want to do but realize that my time to reapply to another specialty is getting close.

How hard is it to switch specialties to an equally competitive (or more competitive) specialty? I know that some of the specialties I am considering do not have any unfilled spots outside the match so I would have to go through ERAS again. Would I have to get new LORs even though I do not have any LORs from the specialty I may be applying to? I also know that you have to get a letter from the PD of your program releasing you from your commitment. How hard is that to do in Anesthesia?

I would appreciate any advice or information you may have. Thank you

 

[UTSouthwestern]

I am currently in my preliminary year and am considering switching specialties from anesthesiology to a different field of medicine. I have not firmly made a decision on what I want to do but realize that my time to reapply to another specialty is getting close.

How hard is it to switch specialties to an equally competitive (or more competitive) specialty? I know that some of the specialties I am considering do not have any unfilled spots outside the match so I would have to go through ERAS again. Would I have to get new LORs even though I do not have any LORs from the specialty I may be applying to? I also know that you have to get a letter from the PD of your program releasing you from your commitment. How hard is that to do in Anesthesia?

I would appreciate any advice or information you may have. Thank you

As long as you are in good academic standing you should be OK. Yes you will need LOR's from the specialty you are applying to, especially if it is something very competitive like radiology, dermatology, etc. Good letters from your internship will help, but without good LOR's from the specialty you are transferring to, it would be difficult to get in unless you have outstanding Steps and grades from med school.

If you do decide to transfer out, please post your available position in the subforum above. In particular, there is a resident whose life was interrupted by an unfortunate situation that needs a spot in anesthesiology and I would like to help that individual restart his residency.

 

[TaiShan]

Looked back your post and saw your ranking list last year...it looks like you definitely have the #'s to go into any speciality.

However, I think you have to have a good story on why you decide to switch. I mean, you have not done any anesthesia yet. Derm/rads/Rad-onc are so competitive that you record/reasons have to be perfect.

 

[AnesGuru]

I will do that gladly, however, I have yet to make a definite decision. There are alot of factors that will have to be looked at because it is such a big decision. I also will not have time to get a LOR from that specialty until later in the year when applications have already been submitted and I would be applying to a pretty competitive specialty. This issue causes a lot of problems for me because LORs are pretty important.

Thanks for your help. I will keep the forum updated.