When is it time to commit?

[Odysseus Rex]

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M3 still between 2 competitive surgery specialties here. 4th year starts in July at my school (likely home elective) and we schedule at the end of March. Seems like everyone else is setting up meetings and research, meanwhile I'm hanging around with my thoughts and reflections, and getting anxious that I'll be behind the pack. When is it getting too late to commit?

 

[Waterlover]

What are you between? I also know other M3s struggling too and I am a bit also. Technically/Literally it's never too late, but in terms of dealing with the least amount of difficulty, I'd say it's best to know by the time you're scheduling, so that you can schedule to the field you're going into.

 

[Osteoth]

You need to know basically now. VSAS opens in a month and you need to set up aways to give yourself a shot. Most of my friends doing competitive specialties have already started emailing PDs at programs they want to rotate at to put themselves on the map.

 

[Redpancreas]

M3 still between 2 competitive surgery specialties here. 4th year starts in July at my school (likely home elective) and we schedule at the end of March. Seems like everyone else is setting up meetings and research, meanwhile I'm hanging around with my thoughts and reflections, and getting anxious that I'll be behind the pack. When is it getting too late to commit?

Agree with Osteoth. You need to ideally know by the time the first actionable item comes to the table (scheduling aways). Of course, we’re hearing stories on here of people switching between competitive surgical subspecialties, or even gen surg to IM, etc. Switches can be made all the way until you need letters. The degree of last-minute-ness you can pull off is basically dependent on your specialty. If it’s IM, find letters ASAP which can be done pretty quick and you’re good. For EM on the other hand, you’d have to have decided early enough to have at least one SLOE , but ideally two or else I *think* you’d be at a sizable disadvantage.

 

[augeremt]

You can also apply to aways in both competitive specialties to delay the decisions a little longer and not feel too far behind.

 

[kim26]

When you know that you mean business. There is no looking back and you badly want what you are committing yourself to. Otherwise, there is no point doing something with no heart and soul dedicated to it unless you can live with failure or mediocre results, looking back and thinking what if I had done this or that, it would have achieved that or that.

 

[CubsFan314]

Hopefully you can schedule internal electives in both surgical specialities (perhaps back to back) early in your 4th year and some more general surgical electives right after (SICU, trauma, etc.). By the time you've finished both of the early electives, you will have (hopefully) had a real taste of both and be able to commit to one of them for application.

 

[danibrittany]

True, the best time to commit is at the time of scheduling. However, you must set a clear-headed goal about what you are going to commit with solid reasons for it. Similarly, make sure to consider your strengths and not only on the future career progression.