Will I get in to a path residency?

[cattleya]

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I'm a 33 yr old pediatrician who wants to switch to path.
I have 3 yrs clinical peds experience.
I'm a US peds residency trained American.
I did well on steps 1 and 2; passed step 3
No research experience
No possiblity of path LOR

Can I throw my current life away and be confident that I will get in SOMEWHERE?
I know that there is no way to give me a guarantee but give me some sort of idea if you can?
I read previous posts on this topic but the scenarios described didn't quite apply to me....anyway, sorry if this is somewhat redundant..

 

[ermonty]

I would say you will get in, as you put it SOMEWHERE. More than that, I think you will have a chance at some good programs. I have met so many path residents and attendings that were surgeons/internists/FP/etc. before coming to Path. It is really a very common thing to switch. I cant imagine that many of them had Path letters considering they had been out and practicing, same as you. The thing is you MUST have a good answer for how you chose Path, and not just because you got tired of the lifestyle of being a Pediatrician. Good Luck.

E-Mo

 

[cattleya]

would it be helpful to try to tag along with a local pathologist for a while for the purpose of obtaining a good LOR?
or would that not be an efficient way to spend my time?
I do understand that I need a reason other than "I hate my current life" in order to have any chance of being accepted at a path program and I think that is a good point.

 

[rirriri]

correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't there alot of new rules and restrictions in many programs about funding related to people switching specialties? since you've done so many years already in Pediatrics, SOME programs may not recieve proper funding for your position IF you were to join them. I don't know the gory details of switching specialties, but it's definitely something i'd look into if i were you; to give you an idea of how open programs would be to take you. Sometimes it's not just about how good the candidate is, but it's about $$$ directly.

 

[cattleya]

that's another good point

that must have something to do with why the acceptance rate into residencies for non current med students is so low

 

[LADoc00]

yep, thought there was a total limit on the GME dollars you could get if you are doing a second speciality. I knew a IM+Gastro who very oddly was doing a whole derm residency. There was one guy advertising on the net who had like 4 different residencies. This is very strange IMO, might be better to do something completely different like medical device sales etc.

 

[dermpathlover]

I'm a 33 yr old pediatrician who wants to switch to path.
I have 3 yrs clinical peds experience.
I'm a US peds residency trained American.
I did well on steps 1 and 2; passed step 3
No research experience
No possiblity of path LOR

Can I throw my current life away and be confident that I will get in SOMEWHERE?
I know that there is no way to give me a guarantee but give me some sort of idea if you can?
I read previous posts on this topic but the scenarios described didn't quite apply to me....anyway, sorry if this is somewhat redundant..

The aforementioned funding issue could be a little problematic towards getting into the best programs, but I bet you can get in somewhere.

If a program was at risk for not filling, they would take you rather than have to gross their own cases and organize their own slides, order their immunos, contact the clinicians. Residents are cheaper than secretaries and PAs, plus a resident does the job of both for half as much.

Contact some program directors or House Staff administrators at various programs to find out your odds.

 

[LADoc00]

DPL-I might consider moving BB/TM fellowship to at least 1 star status. Very useful in the right group.

I would go to 4 star system, 3 stars is wierd, unfinished sounding.

 

[dermpathlover]

DPL-I might consider moving BB/TM fellowship to at least 1 star status. Very useful in the right group.

I would go to 4 star system, 3 stars is wierd, unfinished sounding.

It is like the Michelin guide. Some fellowships have been known to commit suicide over not getting a DPL 3-star rating.

Molecular could probably be moved up one also as long as you weren't considering an academic career and had strong AP training with GU/GI/Heme/derm fellowship.