Is it too late for this year?

If I apply now, can I get any Interview this year?

Very unlikely. Unless you have contacts and they manage to squeeze you in. Why did you apply so late? You might as well wait another year, take your step 2 and get interview invites from some top places. Make sure you apply as early as possible next year.

If you're CV checks out, and you're all that, and a bag of chips, then wait the 9 months to submit your application through ERAS in September 2012.

Focus on doing well on Step 2, CS and CK, both.

In 6 months you should start getting everything, i.e., your personal statement, your application information, your supporting documents for your exams and education, and your letters of recommendation all lined up. Then submit early.

If you interview well in-person, then you'll be snapped up in the Match in March 2013 by one of the Big 5, or Big 10, whichever list you subscribe to.

From there it will all work out well.

The alternative, of rushing in at the end to wheel and deal over the Match leftovers, might result in you landing an outside-of-Match position, in a program that couldn't fill through the Match. This could be a lucky perfect marriage because the empty slot was a fluke of the Match algorithm and over-selectivity, or it could result in a disaster for you because there were deep reasons why that program didn't fill.

It's true that sometimes programs have slots that open up because residents have big personal issues that come up, and they have to move or withdraw, etc., but in general, beware the empty slot.

Best of Luck

If you show up late to the party you are stuck eating the chex mix and drinking the last Coors light. Wait till next year and get in on time. Then you will have more options.

Thank you, thank you for quick and comprehensive reply. There is no doubt that I have a better chance next year. Last week I met one of the PM&R residents and he persuaded me to apply this year. His logic was that my side activities would cover for lack of CK.

You will not be ranked / cannot match unless you have a passing CK as an IMG.

timisdaman said:

You will not be ranked / cannot match unless you have a passing CK as an IMG.

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I will have it before match.

Loma Linda, Ca has a few spots at Rancho Los Amigos which fill each year outside the match. It is an ACGME PM&R residency same as Loma Linda but these 2 positions each year are appointed outside the match.

Call the program director JJ Macias for more information (909) 558-6204

SpineBound said:

Loma Linda, Ca has a few spots at Rancho Los Amigos which fill each year outside the match. It is an ACGME PM&R residency same as Loma Linda but these 2 positions each year are appointed outside the match.

Call the program director JJ Macias for more information (909) 558-6204

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This is a great suggestion, Thank you very much

arvanmed said:

This is a great suggestion, Thank you very much

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Rancho is horrible and you probably dont want to go there unless you have to, trust me, Im currently there and they are changing around a lot of things for the worse. If you dont have any other option, then maybe this one, otherwise I would stay away.