Transfering from IM

[Anesthesialuv]

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Hey everyone,

Long time lurker. So I am an intern in a medicine program, I am really not enjoying medicine for various reasons, and I want to switch out to anesthesiology. I am reapplying through ERAS. I haven't informed anyone at my program, but I am miserable.
So I am also thinking of applying to prelim surgery in the hopes I'd be able to land anesthesia in 2012.
Any advice? I am an American IMG from the islands, Step 1 score 226/94, Step 2 234/97.

 

[Anesthesialuv]

Transferring*

 

[Masseter Spasm]

Complete your intern year in good standing. Try to find an anesthesia spot "outside the match" for July 2011. Doing another intern year is a waste of time you should try to avoid.

 

[Gardner]

I don't see how doing a prelim surgery year now would help you. Just go for anesthesia if that's what you want. If you are miserable in IM, I doubt you'd like being in prelim surgery.

 

[PianoGirl04]

Complete your intern year in good standing. Try to find an anesthesia spot "outside the match" for July 2011. Doing another intern year is a waste of time you should try to avoid.

This. I transferred from another specialty by finding a spot outside the match (it was October-ish of my 2nd year when I decided to switch). They are few but they do exist. I first went to the anesthesia PD at my home program, gave him my CV, and asked about availability of off-match spots there. Some programs maintain open positions for residents interested in transferring and may not require formal application through ERAS. Finding none, I applied elsewhere through ERAS, got 3 letters, the whole shebang. I think I identified about 10ish programs that had open positions (programs that were reasonably well-reputed and in geographical areas I could live in, etc.)

Also, let your PD know as soon as you're absolutely sure; you don't want them to be blindsided by this when they get a call from some anesthesia program...

 

[Pickwickian]

UTSW has 5 spots open for 2011. Baylor has 10 spots.