A quick how-to for the scramble

DocBrown said:

So I just talked to my dean about how the scramble works, just in case. Can't ever be too prepared...

My school has not told us as a class about the scramble, and maybe your school didn't either, so here's what I learned:

Next monday, you find out if you matched. At my school, if you don't match, the deans call you up right away that monday. Then, you come in to the dean's office on TUESDAY, and you can bring a buddy (highly recommended) to help you out.

The schools don't get the lists of unmatched spots til TUESDAY at 12 pm. At that point, you'll need to enlist the help of your deans and your friends to call up unmatched places. The interviews are done over the phone, and the secretaries are the ones faxing all the paperwork (on account of needing to ensure no applicant is fiddling with his letters, etc).

So, that's how it goes here.

May the Force be with you.

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There are slight difference from school to school. At our school, we were each put in an office and given as much support from the administrative staff as we needed. All the students in my class were friends so we had several classmates come to help us all out as we needed.

One slight correction to your synopsis; the list of unmatched spots is released on Tuesday at 11:30am, but you are not allowed to contact any programs until Noon. For EM it's not that big of a deal, because typically there are a small number of programs with spots, but it gives you a chance to think of the strategy you want to use. Most programs will ask you to submit your application to them via ERAS at which time they'll review all of the applications they receive and then call back to 'interview' those that they have an interest in.

The final call back for me was around 3pm. So expect there to be a few hours of doing nothing. During this time, I would begin to work on contingency plans like doing a prelim year in medicine or a year of FP or something similar.

😱 This thread is making me nauseous.
That's not to say it isn't helpful and appreciated, just in case.

colforbinMD said:

😱 This thread is making me nauseous.
That's not to say it isn't helpful and appreciated, just in case.

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I second that nausea feeling...slight diaphoresis too.

JackBauERfan said:

I second that nausea feeling...slight diaphoresis too.

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...and some CP.

Some tips from a scramblee:

1. If you shouldn't match, you're in for a rough 24 hours until you can start calling the next day. My advice rent a movie, go out with friends, do something to take your mind off it.

2. Early morning on scramble day, call your advisor or program director (if you know him/her), perhaps they can make a few calls to the open programs on your behalf.

3. The scramble is almost completely done through ERAS now, and most programs don't even allow you to call anymore. Send your ERAS to EVERY SINGLE PROGRAM. Even if it's in a bad location you don't want to move to, it's worth it if you really want to do EM.

4. While waiting for any calls, look to see what transitional/prelim medicine spots are open, and send them your ERAS as well. Getting a transitional year means you have a chance to match in an EM program next year. I was offered two transitional year spots the day after scramble (which obviously I had to turn down).

5. Most importantly, when you get the call offering you a spot, take it. If you are holding out for a specific program you risk losing everything, and subsequently you may not have a chance to do EM ever again.

Hopefully this helps some of you out. Bear in mind that 90% or greater EM applicants don't have to scramble.

Good point, Veers. I got smashed the night before. A combination of celebrating with my friends that matched and drowning my sorrows with my friends that didn't. There's no 'face to face' interview the next day so hungover is ok. In fact, I think I scrambled in scrubs and a sweatshirt... and a large jug of gatorade.

USCDiver said:

Good point, Veers. I got smashed the night before. A combination of celebrating with my friends that matched and drowning my sorrows with my friends that didn't. There's no 'face to face' interview the next day so hungover is ok. In fact, I think I scrambled in scrubs and a sweatshirt... and a large jug of gatorade.

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I didn't drink much the night before. Instead I watched the whole BBC miniseries version of "Hitchhiker's Guide" on DVD. It helped some.

The evening of scramble after signing all the papers with King/Drew (essentially a deal with the Devil for my soul) I got completely smashed at my parents' house.

You will know on Monday (if you are scrambling) where the open programs are by region (4 western spots, 8 midwestern, etc.). While drinking, you can spend a whole lot of time researching programs--and likely be completley incorrect.

A couple other tips (for the lucky few). If there are people in you class who have interviewed very broadly at the non-competitive programs (and matched), enlist their help. Once the list is released you will have very little time to prioritize your search--having someone who has seen a program may help you a lot.

As has been said--take any EM spot that becomes available to you. If you have a sig other, try to bring them along for the scramble. This is a big deal to them as well.

Good luck (you probably won't need it).