Not if they were going for ortho/rads/em/surg..and scrambled into a FP spot.
There was only 1 rads my friend...and I dont know where he scrambled. Second- Ortho is a tough spot anywhere...I have many MD and DO students that scrambled into prelim surg spots who didnt match Ortho. Thats most anywhere and that in my opinion is a good place to be.
IF someone wanted a ortho/rads/ etc position and scrambled into a FP place...then that was their decision to do so. They also could do a research yr, prelim, etc. There were a bunch of prelim surg spots open. I dont know of any who did that currently, without being people who ranked both IM/EM positions...didnt match EM and ended up doing IM. In that case, thats what they wanted anyway.
The point is...If you work hard enough and remain positive things work out and fall into place. My friend in SC matched last yr into FP (He originally wanted Surg). He busted his butt on his FP yr and did Surg electives...He matched this year at Spartanburg's Surg program (where he was). So dont tell me it doesnt happen and cant happen.
You dont lose anything by doing a prelim transitional or surg or FP year. You get another well rounded year - actually making the decisions as a doctor, with higher responsibility levels than a student. You get to meet other attendings and residents, can always pick up research projects or attend other grand rounds, etc...There are many ways to put yourself at an advantage from doing any of those years. It is NOT a bad thing.
People rematch in following years into many programs including highly competitive ones.Things like that happen for people who are willing to make the time to work for it, introduce themselves to the PD of the programs they want where ever they end up next yr and take the time to do well, show up to some grand rounds if you can, try to get on a research project, etc...There are 101 things you can do to place yourself where you want to go and there is time to do it, if you make time for it and its what you want to do. Most folks just give up and dont want to put in the effort. Thats the majority of ppl in the world. Its simplified into 3 words my friends.....(4 if youre like me) 1. Committment 2. Dedication 3. Persistence 4. Positivity.
If someone ends up scrambling into a FP and they truly in their heart want to do Surg then they should pursue it and apply next yr. Make all their work in that FP place count and seek out every oppotunity they can...because opportunities are always out there for those that take advantage of it. You'd be surprised how many times that works...you just dont hear or see about it on here - bc it doesnt get posted like new recent school grads matched do. I can't tell you how many people I know that had "special circumstances" like that and ended up where they want. In the long scheme of things and of YOUR LIFE...what is one year? Make the best of it. Work hard. Learn more stuff. Meet new friends.
In any case...I matched Uro MD and Im a DO. Im NOT top of my class. I worked hard, I was a good person, I was friendly and I stayed persistent and positive when everyone else said it couldnt be done. Urology was truly what I wanted in my heart. So...I pray that others will never settle. That to me is the saddest thing ever and it kills the fire in people leaving them jaded...Sad
Dont let that be any of you. Believe in yourself. Trust god and work hard...knowing that what you sow you will reap. AND if I hadnt matched...I was prepared to do a research yr and reapply. Whats in your heart you should pursue. That makes great doctors.
Im extremely proud of my entire class. The majority of them matched Allopathic and at top spots. Others matched in wonderful top Osteopathic spots. Once youre a Doctor and have completed residency...you are not going to find that it limits you as much as you think it does being a DO or MD.
Seriously....Get over it. Its the DO students who keep a chip on their shoulder and half-ass everything they do that sets discriminations up for their current places. And vice versa for MDs half assing it somewhere. Point being.....when you are good at what you do and people enjoy your company (youre not a complainer all the time) people take notice. "Excellence of performance transcends all barriers - if you do something good enough, people have to take notice".
Sorry to knock it all on you...Im not trying to but it seriously gets so depressing looking at all these forums where they complain and all they do is talk about how hard it is as a DO to do something. What you think and say you become. If you want something work for it....you'll get it...eventually you will. Last story - My dear MD derm friend didnt match 3 yrs in a row...ended up doing a derm fellowship, got to travel a lot...met his future wife, got published a ton, and now will be starting derm residency 3 yrs out from his graduation. Maybe you say 3 yrs is too long for you...But hey maybe you really didnt want it. He in the meantime learned a lot about Derm, became respected and published in his field, traveled a bunch and got married...thats pretty awesome if you ask me. He never gave up. He worked hard.
Theres also the folks who dont get what they originally wanted who only later find out that FP or IM or whatever they ended up doing is truly what they enjoy and do love...so dont write that off either.
All Im saying...and forgive me for jumping down on my platform.....is that If you want something.....go for it...no matter what. Because in the end the difference between those who get what they want and those who dont -is persistence and positivity. The negative ones never get it....so it leaves more open doors for me.
No pun intended.