Truthfully -- what if I can't get into ANY residency?

[MedicalStudent8]

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I'm so nervous about going to medical school because I'm afraid that after taking out all those loans, I won't be able to get into ANY residency program (i.e. I'll have to file bankruptcy!). If you do well in premed, go to a good medical school (top 50 maybe?), is it pretty guaranteed that you'll get into at least SOME residency, somewhere? Thanks for any help!

 

[efex101]

First of all you really need to relax and take it one step at a time. First, get in medical school and do reasonably well and you will be fine for residency, really. It is my understanding that most US medical school graduates do indeed secure a residency spot so I would not worry about this. Good luck.

 

[Miami_med]

First of all you really need to relax and take it one step at a time. First, get in medical school and do reasonably well and you will be fine for residency, really. It is my understanding that most US medical school graduates do indeed secure a residency spot so I would not worry about this. Good luck.

If you don't match, you can scramble. If you are willing to move and can't do either, you probably have a significant criminal history. EVERYONE gets a spot, though it isn't always the spot you want.

 

[njbmd]

I'm so nervous about going to medical school because I'm afraid that after taking out all those loans, I won't be able to get into ANY residency program (i.e. I'll have to file bankruptcy!). If you do well in premed, go to a good medical school (top 50 maybe?), is it pretty guaranteed that you'll get into at least SOME residency, somewhere? Thanks for any help!

If you get through third year, you will likely get into some type of residency. Worse case scenario, you do a pre-lim PGY-1 year and reapply the next year after you have proven yourself. Best case scenario, you get your medical school studies done and you match into the specialty of your choice.

There are plenty of opportunities to wash out before you even get to the residency point. If you get through those hurdles, getting into a residency won't be much of a problem, no guarantee but highly likely. Even if you are the last person in the least ranked medical school, you will match unless you have managed to pick up a couple of felony convictions while in medical school.

 

[OddNath]

I'm so nervous about going to medical school because I'm afraid that after taking out all those loans, I won't be able to get into ANY residency program (i.e. I'll have to file bankruptcy!).

Having student loan debt does not mean you will need to file for bankruptcy. The whole point is that you will pay back the money when you're done with school. If having student loan debt precluded graduating med students from getting a residency position..then..well, there wouldn't be many residents out there.

Also, every year there are many residency spots which go unfilled. So as long as you pass everything, you'll get something.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm so nervous about going to medical school because I'm afraid that after taking out all those loans, I won't be able to get into ANY residency program (i.e. I'll have to file bankruptcy!). If you do well in premed, go to a good medical school (top 50 maybe?), is it pretty guaranteed that you'll get into at least SOME residency, somewhere? Thanks for any help!

While there are no guarantees in life, as others have said, all US allo students get some residency. You might not get a residency of your choice, and may need to relocate, but you will get something. Your odds don't really vary based on whether you are in top 50 or the next 70 -- it depends on your success in school and the boards. FWIW, bankruptcy does not help you with respect to most student loans, which typically survive such process.

 

[BlackSails]

Also, at least for undergrad student loans, you cant wipe them out with bankruptcy. Otherwise, every graduating student would declare bankruptcy and nobody would give student loans.