I Know What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up
The past week or so has been hellish. It’s a long and twisted story, but the gist is that I have begun my residency application. Because of timelines and such, I must decide right now, right NOW, what I want to be when I grow up. In other words, I have to choose my specialty. I was brewing over various options, but I kept hitting various walls. It’s basically been a huge emotional roller coaster (thank you Micah for fastening the seat belt).
The big decision was whether or not I wanted to do family medicine, or psychiatry. I am passionate about both. I can see myself doing both. And then a wonderful person recommended that I look at some combined family med/psych programs.
And then BOOM! I found the absolute most perfect, best, awesome, killer program. As I read the description of the program on their website, I thought YES!! That’s me! That’s it! That’s what I WANT TO DO!
The one problem is that the cards are stacked against me. This is a very competitive program, and to make matters worse, it’s in a very IMG unfriendly state. I probably don’t have the best chances of getting in. But I don’t care. I found the program. I am sure that it fits me perfectly. I have always believed that if you want something enough, you can make it happen. So I am going to try and make this happen. I will also apply to many other programs, but I think I have found one that I will truly be happy in.
I’m just so excited right now. I have something awesome to look forward to, and to work towards. And that’s just what the doctor ordered.
My name is Kendra and I am a newly minted doctor about to begin my residency in Psychiatry at 
which states are more IMG unfriendly? and what would you suggest doing to overcome these odds?
sounds like a great compromise!
i definitely understand how you feel about being an IMG and undergoing the match.
this is how i approached the situation :
1. do electives at residency programs with a higher potential of accepting you as a resident. [ south dakota !! ]
2. apply only to IMG-friendly residency programs. ie. programs which already have IMG’s as residents. find out by researching programs youre interested in via their website. almost always has a list of residents and their medical schools.
3. apply to as much as you can afford. i applied to 100 FM and 50 path. i got 6 interviews. most of which were in the mid-west.
4. be wary of pre-matches. a few friends of mine got screwed that way and had to switch programs later.
5. refer to scutwork.com for subjective insight into programs.
also wanted to make you aware of the possibility to do IM/Psych residency as well as doing family medicine residency then doing a fellowship in behavioral medicine.
see list of FM fellowships here : http://www.aafp.org/fellowships/other.html
good luck!
Good luck!! Being passionate about it is important and comes across in the interviews….and you are certainly articulate and good with people so am sure you will smash it.
Texas and California, in particular. Mostly this is because you have to go through a lot more paperwork and such if you are an IMG. But this doesn’t mean you CAN’T be an IMG in those states. It just means you need to keep up with the paperwork, and make sure you do your research. For example, California requires that IMGs do all their rotations at MD ACGME approved rotations. They will not accept DO rotations, as almost every other state does. So, if you keep up with the paperwork, and pay attention to the requirements, you should be just fine! (The specific problem with me is I didn’t plan on applying to California, but am now considering it. That means I have to make up for lost time if I want to apply there!)
Do you recommend completing a Master’s degree before applying to medical school?
I’m happy you’ve figured out what’s best for you and your plans to work towards it. How long is the combined program?
california is one of the hardest states for *anyone* to get a residency!
also, what do you mean by ‘DO rotations’, i am an osteopathic physician, and I have no clue what a ‘DO rotation’ is…elaborate?
i meant osteopathic *student*….
Well, for example, the ob/gyn rotation at Wyckoff Heights (the hospital I am at) is no longer accredited as an “MD” rotation, but is now a “DO” rotation. I’m actually not 100% sure on why this is so, but we were notified by the hospital and our medical school of the change. All of their other rotations are ACGME “MD” approved rotations. Apparently, only California and Pennsylvania have a problem with this when it comes to obtaining a medical license (and hence residency) in those states. There are many osteopathic physicians at the hospital. I’m assuming it has something to do with this? And the program itself?
The combined program is 5 years (versus 3 for only fam med or 4 for only psych).
It is always advantageous to have as much education as possible when applying to medical school (and during, or after). However, I wouldn’t say that it’s a necessary pre-req. It will definitely increase your desirability as an applicant, but I would only shoot for it if it’s something you really want!
Thanks a lot for the info Kendra!
You’re very welcome!
Thuc had good advice. If you have time and hours available, try and get an elective rotation at your dream Family / Psych residency so that they get a chance to know who you are. This will increase your chances of being matched at this program and allow you to determine if you like the program and people.
DO is doctor of osteopathy. If you are a DO student at a school such as Western in Pomonona, CA Touro in the Bay area or another DO school you can and will do DO rotations without problems. The CA licensing rotation requirement is for IMG students and you do need to keep up on your paperwork and ensure that your rotations are ACMG certified.
Kendra, I am really glad to read that you are considering a dual program with Family medicine included. You rock : )
Hi Kendra,
Have you done ob/gyn and peds at wyckoff? If so, can you tell me about the schedule, day/night call, how many students, hands-on experience, any presentations, and anything else in your experience at wyckoff that you think may be helpful?
Thanks!!