too late for me?.........

[Goose...Fraba]

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Hey guys,

I am in some deep poop, and I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice.

Since my first year of medical school I have been debating between anesthesia and emergency med. Finally in the middle of my third year I decided on anesthesia. Currently I am in the middle of fourth year and have done 2 out rotations in anesthesia.

Guys, after alot of soul searching and discussions with my wife (who is also a fourth year), I have decided that EM is a better fit for me.

Here is the problem(s) that I have:
1. I already submitted my ERAS application and all the anesthesia programs have downloaded my application.

2. 2 out of the 3 letters of rec I have are from anesthesiologist.

3. My wife and I are couples matching so that complicates the matter.


What are my options? Do you guys think I might be able to pull a miracle, cancel all of my anesthesia applications, apply to EM programs, scramble to find a couple of letters of rec, and get a EM spot for next year?

Or do you think I should just cancel my anesthesia applications, wait for my wife to match, then do a couple of out rotations in the EM department at the place she matched at, wait a year and apply for EM next year? (essentially just take a year off after I graduate).

Any advice that can be given would be very appreciated.

Goose

 

[deleted52758]

Hey guys,

I am in some deep poop, and I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice.

Since my first year of medical school I have been debating between anesthesia and emergency med. Finally in the middle of my third year I decided on anesthesia. Currently I am in the middle of fourth year and have done 2 out rotations in anesthesia.

Guys, after alot of soul searching and discussions with my wife (who is also a fourth year), I have decided that EM is a better fit for me.

Here is the problem(s) that I have:
1. I already submitted my ERAS application and all the anesthesia programs have downloaded my application.

2. 2 out of the 3 letters of rec I have are from anesthesiologist.

3. My wife and I are couples matching so that complicates the matter.


What are my options? Do you guys think I might be able to pull a miracle, cancel all of my anesthesia applications, apply to EM programs, scramble to find a couple of letters of rec, and get a EM spot for next year?

Or do you think I should just cancel my anesthesia applications, wait for my wife to match, then do a couple of out rotations in the EM department at the place she matched at, wait a year and apply for EM next year? (essentially just take a year off after I graduate).

Any advice that can be given would be very appreciated.

Goose

it would be very difficult to do it this year, especially if you havent done an EM rotation yet. that being said, it wouldnt hurt to try to couples match this year. i say just go for it. schedule an EM rotation at a place where both you and your wife wouldnt mind ending up, and if you shine there, you may get your spot.

 

[anonymousEM]

You don't have to cancel your anesthesia applications. It's not too late to send out new applications to EM programs. You will need some new letters, but they don't all have to be from EM attendings (at least 1 would be preferable though) and make sure you don't accidentally send the ones glowing about what a great gas MD you'd make. You need a new personal statement too. If you're gonna do it, try to get all of your EM stuff in by Nov 1 when the dean's letters go out and the majority of EM invites are sent out just shortly thereafter.

Other thoughts, There are some EM 2-4 programs where you do a transitional year first. If any of those places are options for you definately apply there. Also, lots of anesthesia programs have a 1st year transitional year, this would count towards some EM credit, or for the 1st year for a 2-4 so don't entirely write off this year. You could also apply to match to a transitional year/prelim year while you get things straightened out for next years match and likely get 5-6 month's credit towards EM. Best of luck.

 

[Gimlet]

Sorry to hear about your trouble, Goose...you've been a great guy to have around on the anesthesiology forum. Right now my top 2 fields of interest are anesthesia and EM, so if you don't mind explaining why you think EM will be a better fit for you, I would really appreciate hearing your reasoning.

A few weeks ago I shadowed an Emergency physician, and when I told him that I was trying to pick between anesthesia and EM he seemed very surprised. Said that you couldn't get much further apart on the spectrum of medical fields, at least in terms of the personality of docs choosing each specialty and the type of patient interaction you have.

Anyway, good luck with all of this... Not that I have any experience to back this up, but with the couples match being as complicated as it is, wouldn't it be easier to just match someplace in anesthesia where your wife is going, and then try to switch into the EM program at that hospital after a year or so?

 

[Goose...Fraba]

Sorry to hear about your trouble, Goose...you've been a great guy to have around on the anesthesiology forum. Right now my top 2 fields of interest are anesthesia and EM, so if you don't mind explaining why you think EM will be a better fit for you, I would really appreciate hearing your reasoning.

A few weeks ago I shadowed an Emergency physician, and when I told him that I was trying to pick between anesthesia and EM he seemed very surprised. Said that you couldn't get much further apart on the spectrum of medical fields, at least in terms of the personality of docs choosing each specialty and the type of patient interaction you have.

Anyway, good luck with all of this... Not that I have any experience to back this up, but with the couples match being as complicated as it is, wouldn't it be easier to just match someplace in anesthesia where your wife is going, and then try to switch into the EM program at that hospital after a year or so?

Hey Andy,
Sorry for not replying earlier, Ive been quite busy these days as you can imagine. You know its funny, when I told an EM attending that I was also considering anesthesia, he said the exact same thing.

As for my reasonings to choose EM over anesthesia, well its complicated. First off I was a EMTB before med school, so Ive always liked the ED. The second and most compeling reason for me is that in the wake of Hurricaine Katrina, the earthquake in S/E asia, tsunami's, etc., I cant help but feel powerless to help out.

I really want to be able to help out when these disasters strike, and I figured EM would be the best training to do so (although I am sure any doctor from any specialty would be able to help). Also I just really like being able to help people out when they are at there lowest (although lots of EM visits are just coughs and colds).

Honestly I have been fighting this battle for a long time (btwn EM and Gas). I choose gas because I also have a family and gas offers a good "lifestyle" so I could spend time with them. But honestly EM offers you a ton of free time off between shifts so really both can be condusive to a happy family life. Good luck my friend in you choice, just follow your heart (I know I am). For all those out there, say an extra prayer for me to get into EM next year cuz god knows I'll need it!

Peace,
Goose

 

[WakeMedHeel]

Hey Andy,
Sorry for not replying earlier, Ive been quite busy these days as you can imagine. You know its funny, when I told an EM attending that I was also considering anesthesia, he said the exact same thing.

As for my reasonings to choose EM over anesthesia, well its complicated. First off I was a EMTB before med school, so Ive always liked the ED. The second and most compeling reason for me is that in the wake of Hurricaine Katrina, the earthquake in S/E asia, tsunami's, etc., I cant help but feel powerless to help out.

I really want to be able to help out when these disasters strike, and I figured EM would be the best training to do so (although I am sure any doctor from any specialty would be able to help). Also I just really like being able to help people out when they are at there lowest (although lots of EM visits are just coughs and colds).

Honestly I have been fighting this battle for a long time (btwn EM and Gas). I choose gas because I also have a family and gas offers a good "lifestyle" so I could spend time with them. But honestly EM offers you a ton of free time off between shifts so really both can be condusive to a happy family life. Good luck my friend in you choice, just follow your heart (I know I am). For all those out there, say an extra prayer for me to get into EM next year cuz god knows I'll need it!

Peace,
Goose

Ahhhh...the new dichotomy of the "lifestyle" residencies.

 

[irrka]

I would think that you're perfectly set up to just do a prelim or transitional year and then just apply next year for PGY2 positions. meanwhile you can get a bunch of letters that you want and do rotations that you want, plus if you do your prelim at the school you want to go to for PGY2 they'd be more likely to take you if they like you.