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With the merger everything is becoming more competitive. Sure, FM isn't going to be impossible to match into, but it won't be the comfy safe haven for SOAP and open slots that people have relied on in the past.

In the mean time, the red flags you list vary from being bumps to major chasms on the road to matching. A poor score is different from multiple failed COMLEX attempts. Too many variables to say "They'll be fine" vs. "Nope they're screwed."
 
I have some of the red flags listed and I'll find out if I'm going somewhere on Monday.

But, in my opinion. As long as you have other good qualities on your application other than your red flag/s. You should still get interviews if you are smart on which programs you apply to and how you present yourself to your programs. AKA, if you're applying to some rural programs, and your personal statement mentions how you were a city person all your life and you want to return to that - you'll get passed over unless your PS mentions your love for rural.
 
Nevergiveupok said:
For students who had poor scores, multiple failed attempts on COMLEX/Step 1, delayed graduation, failed courses etc.

In the past, AOA scramble was their absolute last resort and those spots were protected for just DO students.

Will these students have a tougher time matching in 2020 and onwards?
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First off, these 4 things are not equivalent.
Second, many more people will fail to find residency spots in the next few years, especially with how many new DO schools have opened/are opening. Those people who are less likely to find a spot are those with the risk factors you mentioned.
 
Class rank will continue to mean nothing & the reasons you listed in your post (beyond the title) will continue to be red flags. Red flags will likely become more dangerous. It's pretty straight forward.

I would argue it applies to MDs too. People with board failures (general example of a red flag) aren't gunning for Harvard family med, they are desperately trying to get in anywhere (where programs are far less worried about prestige & image.) The MDs with red flags are in the same boat; their metaphorical "boat" may be a little more stable compared to a DO in an identical position through.

e.g.) if Arkansa family med has to decide between an MD & a DO w/ a board failure (all other factors aside) I'd imagine they'd choose the MD, 'cause why not.
 
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Nevergiveupok said:
Ok I kind of meant those with more than one board failure and delayed graduation because of it.
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NecrotizingFasciitis said:
Class rank will continue to mean nothing & the reasons you listed in your post (beyond the title) will continue to be red flags. Red flags will likely become more dangerous. It's pretty straight forward.

I would argue it applies to MDs too. People with board failures (general example of a red flag) aren't gunning for Harvard family med, they are desperately trying to get in anywhere (where programs are far less worried about prestige & image.) The MDs with red flags are in the same boat; their metaphorical "boat" may be a little more stable compared to a DO in an identical position through.

e.g.) if Arkansa family med has to decide between an MD & a DO w/ a board failure (all other factors aside) I'd imagine they'd choose the MD, 'cause why not.
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This.
 
The solution is fairly easy: just dont fail anything. But I imagine the COMs will help those at highest risk 'find their way' into another career through attrition. Its much easier to kick out people you think might not match then to deal with decreased enrollment when a large section of the class doesnt place. Carribbean does it, so can we.
 
The merger is not what you need to worry about, it's DO school proliferation which will increase your competition for any available positions in the SOAP. There is a very real chance that you will not match, even in FM, then you will need to compete for anything. And I mean anything... Residency positions on Indian reservations in OK, positions in rural towns of 15K in northern PA, etc.

The most disconcerting thing is that you have multiple red flags. It's like one arrow in the back (a red flag) may not kill you but multiple arrows (red flags) will. If you want a real reality check, start to read through previous year's SOAP threads. Some DO's with multiple red flags fail to get a position in the SOAP for a few years, then they just disappear never to be seen again on SDN. Your take-away is to prepare strategically as a SOAP applicant because that will probably be what you are going to be facing.
 
Man... I picked the wrong thread to read right before going to sleep after studying for 18 hours.

At this stage, my only regret is worrying so much about this stuff and not spending more time in Pathoma/Sketchy/Zanki...

trs88 said:
I have some of the red flags listed and I'll find out if I'm going somewhere on Monday.

But, in my opinion. As long as you have other good qualities on your application other than your red flag/s. You should still get interviews if you are smart on which programs you apply to and how you present yourself to your programs. AKA, if you're applying to some rural programs, and your personal statement mentions how you were a city person all your life and you want to return to that - you'll get passed over unless your PS mentions your love for rural.
Click to expand...

Please update us with your results, I’ll throw some good vibes your way! Would love to hear another story of how it usually works out in the end!
 
Nevergiveupok said:
For students who had poor scores, multiple failed attempts on COMLEX/Step 1, delayed graduation, failed courses etc.

In the past, AOA scramble was their absolute last resort and those spots were protected for just DO students.

Will these students have a tougher time matching in 2020 and onwards?
Click to expand...
I used to sit on a resident selection comittee at a university program. I have said in other posts that PDs do not want to hire a problem. Red flags, as presented, can be a problem. Programs dont want board failures which lower their status
Given the option of all other stats the same, they will pick the one with no red flags. If you have rotated at the program, that will be a plus for you, if you shined.
Any action by the schools disciplinary comittee would be a huge red flag.
As others have noted, FM may not be wide open in the future. Also, former AOA specialty residencies, ortho, gen surg, will be absorbed and DOs no longer given preference. Only the excellent DO candidates will have a shot. I also like the idea mentioned above about targeting programs early that might not fill to increasing your chances in the SOAP. Good luck and best wishes
 
Whew.

Definitely sucks to be a new DO student right now fasho.

September for me can't come soon enough. It's gonna be stressful AF... but man.

You couldn't pay me enough to be a new first year right now and listen to all the bull your school admin will lie to you about.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM.

Study your butt off. Take the Step.

If you aren't cool with the idea of primary care, best to jump ship.

Cause we are going down burning baby!
 
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