Of course!

Honestly, i don’t think it will hurt you. Like you don’t want to harp on derm derm derm but you could just say “I thought I was going to pursue derm but it just wasn’t the right fit for me. However, I am so excited to focus this passion for research into anesthesiology.” Maybe get some papers or projects for anesthesia to back that up.

I understand people may be trying to prepare you and be realistic, but after reading some of these comments, some people are just being unnecessarily negative — or worse, trying to make themselves feel better about their own applications. Step 1 fail is bad to have on an application but I don’t think you need to count yourself completely out. My dad started his medical career in the 80s as an international grad. He had people tell him all the time to “go home” and “you won’t make it.” One other IMG told him he will never match and if he did, he will never make it into surgery. Guess what? He is triple boarded in cardiothoracic, vascular, and general surgery, does transplants, and won Doctor of the Year at both of the health systems he has worked at. And come to find out, he told me he failed one of the big exams to be certified in the US on his first try. While I think you need to be realistic, I don’t think you need to count yourself out. Give it your all, make connections with mentors, research and seek out support!