Time for me to come clean

[W19]

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I don’t think you’re being rude, but no.
I’d rather scramble into an unmatched FM/IM program and then attempt to get into into a PGY-2 psychiatry position than apply to one of those that I don’t want.
I don’t want to apply to those from the get go, get one and then try and get out of it into psych.

Make sure you have a good game plan...

 

[ortnakas]

Your main focus needs to be on doing well on COMLEX L2. You mentioned that you'll procrastinate over 3 months. You need a plan to avoid that.

This x1000. Figure out how to do this NOW. A few days ago, really. Either go with a slow and steady study plan that will keep you on track (if videos are your jam OnlineMedEd has a solid two month plan, you could stretch it to three if you supplemented and/or did less hours a day) or, if you know in your heart of hearts that slow and steady just won't work, do something else for part of the time and then go nuts studying for the rest of it. I think the vast majority would recommend option A, but you do you. Best of luck.

 

[hallowmann]

No totally fair question. I wondered it too. From what I understand it’ll be an extra semester. I’ll be done before December.

It historically isn’t competitive, but recently more are going unmatched. I don’t think the sky is falling (yet) and most people who went unmatched did so because they didn’t apply broadly enough, but what do I know.

To be honest, Option 3 isn't terrible and could have been worse. The biggest priority really should be doing amazingly well on Level 2. Like leaps and bounds higher. You need to really demonstrate your potential. If you plan things right, I think you can do it.

My technical graduation date will be held until May, I’ll just be finished with rotations.
I appreciate the advice.

I appreciate the advice, but I’ve been very upfront that I won’t do that. If I have to scramble into something so be it, but I don’t want to apply to FM programs from the get go trying to sell myself as someone who wants to do it. Because I don’t.

I don’t think you’re being rude, but no.
I’d rather scramble into an unmatched FM/IM program and then attempt to get into into a PGY-2 psychiatry position than apply to one of those that I don’t want.
I don’t want to apply to those from the get go, get one and then try and get out of it into psych.

I have nothing against your choice not to apply FM. Its completely reasonable given that they are different enough fields, and you seem to know pretty strongly what you want.

Have you thought about applying to 1-yr programs, like TRI/TYs and pre-lim medicine years, as a backup (preferably those at places that have a psych program)? The thing is that you'll be applying for the 2020 match, meaning that the AOA match will be over and you won't have AOA only programs to fall back on. Most likely you'll be applying via the NRMP match and programs that won't fill will be in the SOAP, which will have a ton of unmatched people vying for diminishing spots. It is honestly in your best interest to match somewhere as opposed to have to SOAP, because at the end of the day, its still possible not to find a spot or to find a spot that makes you so miserable that you don't finish that 1 year of residency, which is essential for working as a doctor.

I would also apply very broadly for Psych, and focus your efforts on community programs in less desirable areas. By all means, apply to places outside of that (university and more competitive cities), but you should also be applying to the majority of community psych programs in the midwest. I would also go on as many interviews as you can (you're going to have some time on your hands). You need to increase your chances as much as possible that you will match. I know you know this, but you really need it to internalize it. No one says you have to do FM/IM, but you need to internalize this idea.

In terms of how to spend the remaining time, I'd look at psych-centered volunteering and clinical research opportunities in your area. I will help in terms of having something to say on interviews, usually you have flexibility time-wise, and it will help if you have to reapply next year, because intern year will likely be pretty busy and you'll never have as much time as you're going to have that year.

 

[samac]

To be honest, Option 3 isn't terrible and could have been worse. The biggest priority really should be doing amazingly well on Level 2. Like leaps and bounds higher. You need to really demonstrate your potential. If you plan things right, I think you can do it.





I have nothing against your choice not to apply FM. Its completely reasonable given that they are different enough fields, and you seem to know pretty strongly what you want.

Have you thought about applying to 1-yr programs, like TRI/TYs and pre-lim medicine years, as a backup (preferably those at places that have a psych program)? The thing is that you'll be applying for the 2020 match, meaning that the AOA match will be over and you won't have AOA only programs to fall back on. Most likely you'll be applying via the NRMP match and programs that won't fill will be in the SOAP, which will have a ton of unmatched people vying for diminishing spots. It is honestly in your best interest to match somewhere as opposed to have to SOAP, because at the end of the day, its still possible not to find a spot or to find a spot that makes you so miserable that you don't finish that 1 year of residency, which is essential for working as a doctor.

I would also apply very broadly for Psych, and focus your efforts on community programs in less desirable areas. By all means, apply to places outside of that (university and more competitive cities), but you should also be applying to the majority of community psych programs in the midwest. I would also go on as many interviews as you can (you're going to have some time on your hands). You need to increase your chances as much as possible that you will match. I know you know this, but you really need it to internalize it. No one says you have to do FM/IM, but you need to internalize this idea.

In terms of how to spend the remaining time, I'd look at psych-centered volunteering and clinical research opportunities in your area. I will help in terms of having something to say on interviews, usually you have flexibility time-wise, and it will help if you have to reapply next year, because intern year will likely be pretty busy and you'll never have as much time as you're going to have that year.

This is really great advice. Thank you for this.
At this moment I have a list of 83 programs that I plan to apply to that are community, historically AOA, or have a strong history of taking people from my school, even with red flags.
I’ve thought about TRI’s too, I’ll look into them more.
I’ll look into mental health volunteering as soon as I can. I’m also looking at it as an opportunity to get another great psych letter, trying to get one from a university program on an elective.

 

[hallowmann]

This is really great advice. Thank you for this.
At this moment I have a list of 83 programs that I plan to apply to that are community, historically AOA, or have a strong history of taking people from my school, even with red flags.
I’ve thought about TRI’s too, I’ll look into them more.
I’ll look into mental health volunteering as soon as I can. I’m also looking at it as an opportunity to get another great psych letter, trying to get one from a university program on an elective.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. If you're applying pretty broadly psych, you'll probably be good applying TRI/TYs to only places that also have a psych residency. I have no idea how many places that is, but it should be enough with that many psych programs.

 

[LABrondo]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. If you're applying pretty broadly psych, you'll probably be good applying TRI/TYs to only places that also have a psych residency. I have no idea how many places that is, but it should be enough with that many psych programs.

Is it okay to apply to psych and TRI at the same hospitals at the same time? I thought you’re supposed to only apply to one at a hospital?


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[hallowmann]

Is it okay to apply to psych and TRI at the same hospitals at the same time? I thought you’re supposed to only apply to one at a hospital?


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If you are upfront of the reason, then I think its reasonable. There is something to be said about being realistic and aware of one's redflags. It might not win you a ton of favors, but everyone running a TRI/TY knows that you aren't looking to become solely a TRI/TY trained doc. They know you want something else.

I would say that in the case of intern-only years, its one of the exceptions to the rule where it will not hurt your app to the categorical program. That's not saying it won't hurt the app to the TRI/TY, but hey that's not really what anyone is going for when they are doing it as a backup.