Only 9 cat surgery programs unfilled..........I'd say surgery is gaining ground.........

By the way, there are a total of 11 cat. positions in these 9 unfilled programs:eek:

The unfilled categorical slots are at

Mercer University School of Medicine (2 spots)
Brooklyn Hospital Center (2 spots)
University of South Alabama Medical Center
Michigan State University (only program unfilled for 3 years straight!)
William Beaumont Hospital
Bassett Healthcare
Akron General Medical Center/NEOUCOM
Geisinger Health System
Graduate Hospital

Amazing.

And back when this whole interview season started, people were showering me with comments like, "Oh you'll match -- what do you have to worry about? General Surgery is so non-competitive. They've got like a ga-zillion spots open every year," "No one wants to be a surgeon nowadays," and my perennial favorite, "If you don't get something you like, try out the scramble."

HA! NINE is a long way from a "ga-zillion."

Probably among the bigger surprises is that all but one of the New York City-based programs (Brooklyn Hospital Center) filled, and that in the entire state of New York, only two programs had any unfilled spots.

Well, congratulations to all the applicants here who matched. See you on Match Day.

Beaumont is the big surprise here. They must've screwed themselves on their rank list somehow.

Very interesting. I guess the PDs weren't bulsh*tting us after all when they said that apps were up. Only 11 unfilled slots? Wow. That makes the fill rate around 99+%.

I never bought that baloney about surgery being noncompetitive anyhow. Our applicants have been top notch every one of the five years I've been here. Surgery is just too damned much fun for it not to be popular.

Now that a kinder, gentler philosophy is infiltrating the training system, watch out baby! Who wants to suck snot or hammer on bones when you could be in someone's belly or chest? ;)

General surgery is the best!

Originally posted by womansurg
Now that a kinder, gentler philosophy is infiltrating the training system, watch out baby! Who wants to suck snot or hammer on bones when you could be in someone's belly or chest?


Hold on there. Just because g surge did better this year there's no need to get delusional! :laugh:

Bonecutter

If the # of positions for categorical spots remains roughly the same as last year (1039) and only 11 of those went unmatched (1028) then yes, I think General Surgery did rather well this year (99% Matched). Oh, behave.:cool:

Before everyone goes around trumpeting the return of GS, I think an appropriate question to ask would be "what is the percentage of FMG's that matched into GS this year?" Our graduating class had only a single person go into GS.

The unpopularity of it in the past few matches gives rise to several phenomena:
1. More FMG's applying to GS now, as they see it as a "reachable" specialty.
2. Programs become more open to interviewing FMGs.
3. Programs submit a longer rank list than before, with FMGs more likely to be on it.

If GS really did get more popular amongst US grads this year, some things must have gone down in popularity; any idea what they were (probably primary care?)

Year - Categorical Positons - % filled by US Seniors

1994 1063 87%
1995 1028 89%
1996 1004 89%
1997 1009 88%
1998 1024 83%
1999 1009 83%
2000 1023 85%
2001 1041 79%
2002 1039 75%
2003 1049 83%

it seems to me that surg had a good year based on the overall match rate, but an average year based on US grad match rate.

looks like the PD's were making sure that they filled and ranked extra deep. so, maybe GS is not any more or less comp, but the PD's are showing clear desire to fill spots in the match.

11 categorical spots, what a tough year to scramble for surg!

congrats to all who matched!

surgery has always been competitive and always will be.....perioid!! Congrats to all you that matched!!:D

Well... too bad for us "FMGs".... I am a (female) graduate from Sweden, who is over here doing research. I can't see myself doing anything but surgery; but after this year's match-results I suppose I simply just won't be able to get in...was planning on applying this fall, which I will do anyhow, but have a backup plan for going back to Sweden/other country.

Although: is there anyone who'd be willing to help me out a little bit; where should I preferrably apply? I'll of course apply to the places that didn't match this time.... but other places? Any ideas. I'd be extremely grateful!

Thanks!
asavil@hotmail.com

asavil,

actually, you should be encouraged by this years results. As you can see, the % of positions filled by US medical school grads has remained static - what this means is that the deficit has been filled by a pool of IMG/FMG's who previously would not have even been considered @ many programs. Taking a prelim position is also a very viable way to parlay yourself into a categorical pgy-1 or pgy-2 spot somewhere if you get good references (there is a not insignifigant attrition rate for surgery during that year)

Originally posted by asavil
Well... too bad for us "FMGs".... I am a (female) graduate from Sweden, who is over here doing research...but after this year's match-results I suppose I simply just won't be able to get in...

Do NOT sell yourself short. FMG does not guarantee a lack of match. Just look at the percentages. Further, if you are in research and have something to show for, you will match.

I'll of course apply to the places that didn't match this time....

You can apply to non-matching programs...all 9 of them if you like. However, as someone who did NOT match 2 years in a row and finally matched this year, I would say do not apply to those 9 programs unless you really like them. I have watched the match for 3 years now. The programs that do not match and are not seriously flawed have a classic rebound increase in applications the subsequent years. A classic example of this would be Penn State in Hershey. Why is this? Well, everyone looks at the not matched program list as being "more desperate" in the next match. So, everyone and their mother with a little bit of insecurity applies to these previously unmatched programs. These programs desperation evaporates once they fill their spots in the scramble.

My advise, do not sell yourself short. First, apply to a variety of programs differing in the caliber/reputation of their programs. Have a group of low to reasonable caliber programs, have a group of mid-ranged caliber programs and have a few high end programs. Do not make these determinations based on previous NRMP performance!!! This performance is not necessarily the same as how "competitive" the program is or will be.

Second, when choosing those programs your peers, advisors, and personal research suggests will be middle to high caliber, you should apply to those that have a nitch that might give you a slight edge. For example, a program in which the PD is foreign grad...i.e. Texas Tech(Lubbock). Or, a program that has a strong track record of recruiting FMGs. Some programs pride themselves on having diversity. Also, look at programs and what research the attendings and PD do or are interested in doing. It might be that your research is something they are interested in pursuing.

The bottom line...most people who didn't get into Harvard are unable to say they weren't accepted because their application was not competitive. Because, most of them never applied and thus never entered the competition!!! Do NOT be so negative before you even apply.