RuralDoc Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Hi, Just wondering what I should do: I just did a psych rotation after all of my electives were completed. I did all of my electives in another specialty because I didn't think I was interested in psych. Now I want to apply to psych too. Will it just be a waste of time to apply? Thanks Ruraldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007 Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 I say, if you want it, go for it. Worst case scenerio, you get something else. But you may regret it if you don't give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyMax Posted November 19, 2006 Report Share Posted November 19, 2006 Hey, I say apply. The worst thing that can happen is that you aren't offered an interview, but if you don't apply, you'll always be left wondering what might have been. Just be prepared to answer the question your application will undoubtedly beg should you manage to score yourself an interview somewhere, specifically "Why didn't you do any electives in psychiatry?". My advice in that situation is to be perfectly honest and spare your interviewing committee the 'had an epiphany/saw the light' stuff because it's tacky and they've heard it all before. The rest should be gravy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Medicator Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 I agree with Timmy... you really have nothing to lose, but you will almost certainly face that particular question. Just to keep the hope there, I know someone who matched to a rather competitive specialty without having done a single elective in it. Cheers, Medicator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summervirus Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Hi, I had a similar experience. I did all my electives in another specialty before deciding to apply to Internal Medicine. I wasn't expecting much but I ended up matching to IM (first choice program)! So, anything is possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noncestvrai Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 I really doubt somebody matching in plastics, derm, ENT or opththo without a single elective in the field... In fact, I don't know anybody matching in plastics without at least 3 electives in it...not to say it's impossible, but electives are a great way to show interest. noncestvrai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyMax Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Hey, I really doubt somebody matching in plastics, derm, ENT or opththo without a single elective in the field... I agree- for the really uber-competitive fields, like those mentioned above, you are really just wasting everyone's time (including your own) by applying if you don't have any electives in that area. That said, it does appear to be possible to match to other specialties (ie: IM) without having any electives in it, so I guess that anything's possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Maybe it's just here, but I've met 2 ENT residents (one at Sherb, the other at UdeM) : first one had 1 elective in ENT, 2nd one had no elective in ENT, except a mandatory 1 week exposure to ENT. Both matched just fine. It isn't easy, but I wouldn't call it impossible either. What do you guys consider an elective by the way ? A mandatory clerkship in let's say general surgery is an elective ? Back to the original question : I'd definitely apply to psych if I were you. Good luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsteen Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Hi there, I've met quite a few folks who have managed to snag spots in very competitive residencies (including Ophtho and Plastics) in the past 3 years, without electives in either. Also, I was speaking to a Program Director of a competitive program recently who noted that electives are not necessary, either. Interest may be demonstrated in other ways, e.g., research within the field. In short, there are no absolutes so never say never when it comes to thinking about applying to a specialty in which you have completed no electives. Cheers, Kirsteen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saberial Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 Hi, I had a similar experience. I did all my electives in another specialty before deciding to apply to Internal Medicine. I wasn't expecting much but I ended up matching to IM (first choice program)! So, anything is possible! If you don't mind summervirus, which specialty did you do your electives in? Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summervirus Posted December 6, 2006 Report Share Posted December 6, 2006 Pediatrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralDoc Posted December 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Well, I am glad I took your advice. Never thought I would even get an interview. The first interview invite I received was from psych- the specialty in which I had no electives! RuralDoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peachy Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 Pediatrics.What made you change your interests to IM after your initial plans for Pediatrics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agregson Posted December 21, 2006 Report Share Posted December 21, 2006 . The first interview invite I received was from psych- the specialty in which I had no electives!RuralDoc Congrats on the interview--which school did you hear from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summervirus Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 Peachy: I had quite a number of reasons for changing my mind. One of the reasons is because I felt that my personality was a better fit for IM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.