transferring medicine programs

[medstud1]

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I want to transfer from the medicine program I matched at to another medical program in another part of the country due to personal reasons. How hard is it to transfer from a medicine program to another one? What reasons in the past have they accepted? How receptive are they to something like this? How will this be viewed if I were to apply for fellowships in the future? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[medres]

It's a really big deal. When you do the match, you are signing a contract that you agree to go to the program that you match at. If you try to transfer programs, the program that you are leaving can hold you responsible for breach of contract. You're really leaving the program hanging, especially at this late date. It might be easier to switch after your intern year. You would let your program know mid year that you want to leave. This will give them time to recruit a new PGY-2.

 

[drtofu66]

You didn't mention if you want to transfer after matching this year or if you've already been there a year or more already.

If you just matched there, your chances of transferring are minimal at best. You could drop out before attending and try entering the match again next year after taking a year off but that is not a good idea (you're sending a message that you are unreliable/flaky/selfish/not a team player-- I'm not saying that you are but your jilted program will view you as such and won't be inclined to help you out. And you are going to need their cooperation to make this work). I've heard of people who try this or leave in the middle of the year and essentially I had heard that they were blackballed and were stuck at some pretty crappy/deperate programs. If you are set on this path and you absolutely cannot spend a year at your matched program, your best bet would be to find a program to jump to FIRST before withdrawing. That way you aren't left hanging and your new program will look past your 'infidelity' if you work hard there and prove yourself reliable.

The best scenario would be to spend one year at your matched program and leave after your internship. In this case, they will be glad to help you since they won't need to scramble and find a replacement mid-year.

Good luck

 

[medstud1]

thanks for the info. I was planning to transfer after my intern year. I dont mind spending a year at the program I matched because I will honor my contract through the match. How will this affect fellowship placement in the future? Will other programs fear that I will leave their fellowship program after I left my residency after my 1st year?

 

[drtofu66]

thanks for the info. I was planning to transfer after my intern year. I dont mind spending a year at the program I matched because I will honor my contract through the match. How will this affect fellowship placement in the future? Will other programs fear that I will leave their fellowship program after I left my residency after my 1st year?

I don't think so; obviously ask your program director but as long as you don't leave in the middle of a year (leaving in the middle of your second year would be just as bad as leaving in the middle of the first) I think they'll be quite understanding and willing to help you out. There's often a prelim intern that decides to apply for a categorical slot and they can just slide into yours. Just make sure that you let your program director know your plans early in your internship so that they can plan for next years match and advertise the vacant 2nd year slot if necessary (and emphasize that you'll finish your internship and won't leave them shorthanded. They'll be relieved to hear that).

 

[medstud1]

thanks for the info. The only problem in letting them know early is that what if there isnt any available medicine categorial spot at the location Im interested in. Them I'm screwed. I dont really know how to approach this situation. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[medres]

Is there more than one program in the area that you're looking at? You might need to consider several programs in that geographic area. That being said, most programs have at least one intern leave, no matter how good the program is. People leave for personal reasons, or decide they don't like the program, or decide that medicine just isn't for them. You probably will not have a problem. Good luck.

 

[drtofu66]

Yes, you wouldn't want to start prepping to leave if you have no place to go. The way you were talking, I thought that it was a foregone conclusion that you'd be able to find a slot. Since there is the possibility that you won't be able to find a 2nd year spot in the area that you're interested in at all is this really worth it? Would you want to repeat the process and try to find a 3rd year spot next year it it doesn't work out this year? I don't know what your situation is but it seems like a lot of bother with little upside. With your internship done, another 2 years and you'll be free to go and live whatever you want. Or I guess you could go to your desired place by trying to re-match there and enter as a 1st year again. Unless you are changing specialties, that seems like a waste.

Consider also the hassles of moving, finding a place to live, relearning a hospital system... I get a headache thinking about it. I have to think that the place you matched at isn't horrible (if it was so disagreeable to you, you probably shouldn't have ranked it at all) so you might chalk this up to experience and write it off for now. Two more years isn't much in the grand scheme of things.

The lesson here for all the soon to be 4th years is to get your priorities sorted out early. If where live is of top importance you should rank transitional/prelim spots in your target area after all of the categorical programs in your desired area. It's a much easier path to latch onto another 2nd year spot if you are already in. It seems that PD's have some flexibility on their 2nd and 3rd year numbers-- I know my PD has created 2nd year slots for exceptionally good transitionals and prelims who wish to stay on. I'm not sure how that works, but I've seen it done.

 

[medstud1]

its good to know that even the most prestigious places have people leaving, but its not a guarantee. The area Im looking at has a prestigious university and the other university is a mediocre one. I matched into a great program which will no doubt if I stayed give me the strongest chance at fellowship, but recent personal reasons have forced me to look elsewhere to finish my residency and prioritize in terms of personal and family over location. If I cannot transfer, then it would make total sense to finish the next 2 years and then seek fellowship at the location of my desire. You both are right. it doesnt make any sense to start over or even to move after my 2nd year if I have 1 more year left. I hate moving and starting over!!