I’m a USMD, US citizen from a top 20 school. previously applied twice for a hyper competitive specialty (derm, ortho, etc) but didn’t make it. YOG: 2023. Decided to pivot to non-clinical healthcare work and also spent time taking care of sick parent with cancer past 3 years. I did leave an internal medicine prelim after 50 days in good standing as a deliberate pause for career clarity back then in 2023. Wanting to return to clinical medicine after realizing I do miss it quite a bit. Became quite interested in DR as constantly exposed to imaging / reads with my Dad's illness.

Stats:

Step 1: 260+

Step 2: 270+

Research: 10+ pubs / posters, multiple first author pubs in that competitive specialty, no DR specific research.

Grades: half honors half high pass in core clerkships

Plan: take step 3 by end of year to meet 7 year licensing requirements. Do 6 months USCE externships for fresh letters / hands on experience first half next year. Considering 8 weeks in Neuro, 8 weeks in PM&R, 8 weeks still undetermined, possibly DR if it's worth a try. Then apply next year 2027. Get fresh letters and possibly some case reports for DR.

Know that DR is pretty darn competitive and will be a far reach. Will focus on Neuro and PM&R / SOAP for FM if needed. Just wondering if anyone / anyone you know have matched DR with a YOG gap and whether it might be worth it to apply broadly there after beefing up my app. Also considering a potential research year after this year but also unsure whether the increasing YOG (would be ~5-6) after the research year makes doing one pointless.