2020 VIRMP MATCH

[battie]

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Did anyone else match at Tufts VETS?

A girl at my school matched to tufts as well.

 

[ImAVet]

Currently at Tufts, three current students did and they’re all really wonderful!

That’s so awesome!!! I am excited to meet them!! 🙂 🙂

A girl at my school matched to tufts as well.

Can’t wait to meet her!!! I’ve heard nothing but great things about that internship program!!

 

[vetmedhead]

Hi all, I'm curious what motivated you to pursue an internship/residency and how you decided what specialty you actually wanted to end up in.

I'm a third year figuring that now is a good time to start thinking about this sort of thing just so I can get a feel for what my options are. I'm confident that I wouldn't be satisfied in GP work, but unfortunately I like most things too much and think I'd have a hard time picking a specialty field I'm way more interested in than anything else.

I like IM and dermatology, and also have a huge passion for shelter medicine. I know they do offer specialty things for shelter med, but wasn't sure how worth it that is in the long run for that field as a whole.

I'm currently picking a lot of people's brains about this, but curious about your own thoughts. Congrats to those of you who matched this cycle!

 

[allygator13]

Hi all, I'm curious what motivated you to pursue an internship/residency and how you decided what specialty you actually wanted to end up in.

I'm a third year figuring that now is a good time to start thinking about this sort of thing just so I can get a feel for what my options are. I'm confident that I wouldn't be satisfied in GP work, but unfortunately I like most things too much and think I'd have a hard time picking a specialty field I'm way more interested in than anything else.

I like IM and dermatology, and also have a huge passion for shelter medicine. I know they do offer specialty things for shelter med, but wasn't sure how worth it that is in the long run for that field as a whole.

I'm currently picking a lot of people's brains about this, but curious about your own thoughts. Congrats to those of you who matched this cycle!

Similar to yourself, I went into vet school knowing I didn't want to do GP, but actually thought I wanted to do surgery or zoo med. I had always really enjoyed looking at rads when I worked as an assistant before I started school, but had no idea that radiology was a specialty until I was in school. I considered a lot of options (cardio, anesthesia, path) but none of them stuck. Once I found out being a radiologist was a thing I did an externship with radiologists in a private practice over a summer break and just fell in love and never questioned it afterward!

Do you have a specialty hospital that you can spend time in during summer break to shadow with the specialties that you are interested in to see how much you enjoy it in a real world setting?

I don't know much about shelter med as a specialty so can't be of much help there unfortunately.

 

[vetmedhead]

Similar to yourself, I went into vet school knowing I didn't want to do GP, but actually thought I wanted to do surgery or zoo med. I had always really enjoyed looking at rads when I worked as an assistant before I started school, but had no idea that radiology was a specialty until I was in school. I considered a lot of options (cardio, anesthesia, path) but none of them stuck. Once I found out being a radiologist was a thing I did an externship with radiologists in a private practice over a summer break and just fell in love and never questioned it afterward!

Do you have a specialty hospital that you can spend time in during summer break to shadow with the specialties that you are interested in to see how much you enjoy it in a real world setting?

I don't know much about shelter med as a specialty so can't be of much help there unfortunately.

Unfortunately I don't have any summer breaks left, I'll just be rolling into clinics this May. Most of my previous breaks were spent in shelters or doing veterinary disaster preparedness/relief work.

I do have some externships lined up with more shelter oriented places next month and in the fall, and was planning on chatting to some professors during my rotations this semester about at least lining up some visits with specialists in their field in the Denver area so I can figure out more of what their lives and professions are like.

 

[allygator13]

Unfortunately I don't have any summer breaks left, I'll just be rolling into clinics this May. Most of my previous breaks were spent in shelters or doing veterinary disaster preparedness/relief work.

I do have some externships lined up with more shelter oriented places next month and in the fall, and was planning on chatting to some professors during my rotations this semester about at least lining up some visits with specialists in their field in the Denver area so I can figure out more of what their lives and professions are like.

Ah yeah, forgot about the third year student part haha. Well, clinics should be helpful in deciding as well!

 

[ImAVet]

Hi all, I'm curious what motivated you to pursue an internship/residency and how you decided what specialty you actually wanted to end up in.

I'm a third year figuring that now is a good time to start thinking about this sort of thing just so I can get a feel for what my options are. I'm confident that I wouldn't be satisfied in GP work, but unfortunately I like most things too much and think I'd have a hard time picking a specialty field I'm way more interested in than anything else.

I like IM and dermatology, and also have a huge passion for shelter medicine. I know they do offer specialty things for shelter med, but wasn't sure how worth it that is in the long run for that field as a whole.

I'm currently picking a lot of people's brains about this, but curious about your own thoughts. Congrats to those of you who matched this cycle!

Hey! Like you, when I started vet school I knew I did not want to do GP. It just bores me! I've always loved IM so that is what I thought I was going to end up doing but wanted to be sure so I did externships in multiple specialties (Derm, Ophtho, ECC). None stuck to me. Then I took my cardio elective and fell inlove with cardio! For months I battled between IM and cardio. I still love IM a lot but think I am going to pursue cardio instead!!! That being said, that may change during my internship haha! I've worked at a shelter clinic (MSPCA in Boston, MA). Shelter med is cool! Lots of spays and neuters which I enjoy. I am a dual student (DVM/MPH) and like shelter med as well. I plan on participating in global outreach programs to educate and develop spay and neuter programs!! I also enjoy working with wildlife (not so much exotics) so would love to do some wildlife rehab work as well (after my specialty training/during vacations). Like you, I am interested in many things! I think going to specialty clinics and rotating on the specialties you like can help you narrow down your options! 🙂

 

[vetmedhead]

Hey! Like you, when I started vet school I knew I did not want to do GP. It just bores me! I've always loved IM so that is what I thought I was going to end up doing but wanted to be sure so I did externships in multiple specialties (Derm, Ophtho, ECC). None stuck to me. Then I took my cardio elective and fell inlove with cardio! For months I battled between IM and cardio. I still love IM a lot but think I am going to pursue cardio instead!!! That being said, that may change during my internship haha! I've worked at a shelter clinic (MSPCA in Boston, MA). Shelter med is cool! Lots of spays and neuters which I enjoy. I am a dual student (DVM/MPH) and like shelter med as well. I plan on participating in global outreach programs to educate and develop spay and neuter programs!! I also enjoy working with wildlife (not so much exotics) so would love to do some wildlife rehab work as well (after my specialty training/during vacations). Like you, I am interested in many things! I think going to specialty clinics and rotating on the specialties you like can help you narrow down your options! 🙂

Oh hey, I am also a DVM/MPHer! Just got my MPH last May

 

[SocialStigma]

Hi all, I'm curious what motivated you to pursue an internship/residency and how you decided what specialty you actually wanted to end up in.

I'm a third year figuring that now is a good time to start thinking about this sort of thing just so I can get a feel for what my options are. I'm confident that I wouldn't be satisfied in GP work, but unfortunately I like most things too much and think I'd have a hard time picking a specialty field I'm way more interested in than anything else.

I like IM and dermatology, and also have a huge passion for shelter medicine. I know they do offer specialty things for shelter med, but wasn't sure how worth it that is in the long run for that field as a whole.

I'm currently picking a lot of people's brains about this, but curious about your own thoughts. Congrats to those of you who matched this cycle!

Another person here who went into vet school knowing I didn't want to do GP. Surgery kind of fell into my lap - I was shadowing at a small animal GP the year prior to applying to vet school and they had a mobile surgeon come in one day to do a Tightrope procedure on a dog with a CCL rupture. His tech was out sick so I got to scrub in to surgery. I didn't know until then that surgery was a specialty within vet med. Haven't wavered from surgery since..everything that I learned/saw during vet school (especially my 10 weeks of surgery rotations during 4th year) only confirmed for me that I loved surgery and that I had no interest in any other specialty.

 

[ImAVet]

Oh hey, I am also a DVM/MPHer! Just got my MPH last May

Awesome!!! A lot of hard work but so totally worth it!

 

[Cephal0pod]

I went through the match for small animal rotating because I knew that I wanted to specialize in the non-domestic creatures. I also figured that if I don’t end up in the land of non-domestic creatures, I could see myself doing some ER, so having a year of internship training would be useful for that as well.

If I didn’t want to specialize, probably would have just gone straight into practice without going through the match. Making a decent salary right away is very appealing. 😛

I have a few friends in my class who were gungho one way or the other about going through the match when they went into clinics, and ended up changing their minds for various reasons while on clinics. So, it’s okay to go into clinics still trying to figure out what you want to do.

 

[that redhead]

@vetmedhead I think derm would be lower on your list as it is very GP-like in application: repetitive cases, a lot of the same client problems, etc. Maybe you already know that and like it enough anyway but just wanted to throw in my two cents 🙂

 

[VetofHearts]

I missed out on residency positions I was hoping for, however was accepted for an ECC Internship position at UC Davis which I am really excited about, can't wait to move to the US and start this awesome journey/adventure/challenge!

I graduated from University of Queensland in Australia in 2010 and this was my first experience with the match, definitely a stressful time and congratulations to everyone else who matched!

 

[cohen2000]

I missed out on residency positions I was hoping for, however was accepted for an ECC Internship position at UC Davis which I am really excited about, can't wait to move to the US and start this awesome journey/adventure/challenge!

I graduated from University of Queensland in Australia in 2010 and this was my first experience with the match, definitely a stressful time and congratulations to everyone else who matched!

I'll see you in clinics! Many great ECC faculty here.

 

[VetofHearts]

I'll see you in clinics! Many great ECC faculty here.

I have met a few of the ECC faculty before and I am super excited for this year. Look forward to meeting you in the clinic!

 

[lioness2408]

Hi all, posted this in the class of 2020 page but thought I'd also put it here just in case:

Just passing this along for Texas A&M, one of their incoming interns dropped out a week after match/scramble so if anyone is regretting not going for an internship this might be a good opportunity!

"We are seeking a small animal rotating intern after one of our matched candidates was unable to accept the position. The successful candidate would become a member of our 10-person intern class, starting on June 11th.

All interested candidates should send the following materials to Nicole Waltman ([email protected]).

-letter of intent
-CV
-Candidates with a VIRMP application this year should also submit their candidate numbers, so that we can access their full packets from the VIRMP site.
-Candidates without a VIRMP application did not apply through VIRMP this year should submit the names and contact information for 3 references, as well as unofficial copies of their transcripts.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled or until March 9th, whichever comes first."

 

[mawgs]

Anyone know of any unfilled internship positions anywhere? I didn’t go through the match because I wanted to live close to a sick family member, but they have since passed away so I no longer have that consideration. I’ve contacted a few places listed as open on VIRMP but it looks like most places don’t actually update when the positions are filled

 

[Seabirb]

Anyone know of any unfilled internship positions anywhere? I didn’t go through the match because I wanted to live close to a sick family member, but they have since passed away so I no longer have that consideration. I’ve contacted a few places listed as open on VIRMP but it looks like most places don’t actually update when the positions are filled

Angell in MA has a spot that opened up

 

[jaime244]

Do you have to have submitted a VIRMP application to get an internship with places with open slots? I know the person above said they didn’t go through the match but wasn’t sure if they applied and didn’t rank places.

 

[allygator13]

Do you have to have submitted a VIRMP application to get an internship with places with open slots? I know the person above said they didn’t go through the match but wasn’t sure if they applied and didn’t rank places.

Nope! The institutions with open slots typically want the same documents to apply but anyone can apply once the open positions list is available to the public.

 

[DPolaris]

Fingers crossed I'll even be able to do my internship with COVID19, Canadian here who matched to a program in the States.....wondering if I should be looking for jobs in Canada instead and maybe re-do the VIRMP process next year/at a later point in time...

 

[VetofHearts]

Fingers crossed I'll even be able to do my internship with COVID19, Canadian here who matched to a program in the States.....wondering if I should be looking for jobs in Canada instead and maybe re-do the VIRMP process next year/at a later point in time...

Its an uncertain time for many who have matched this year I am sure. I am coming from Australia for my internship position, so waiting on visa applications to be re-opened with an uncertain time frame right now.
I am still keeping my fingers crossed that things work out to have me there close to the starting date as possible. Gaining this position, preparing for the match process has been years in the making for me, so will do whatever I can to make sure it can still happen.

I would suggest if you are unsure to speak with your program director? I have been keeping in touch with mine and so far things are still going ahead as much as possible as scheduled.

 

[flameshock]

I was (am) nervous about this, especially since someone said in the covid thread that AMC was trimming their intern class back. Can anyone confirm that?

I haven’t heard from my program directly but one of the other interns shared an email they got from the program director saying we were absolutely guaranteed for our internship. So that is definitely something at least!

 

[allygator13]

I was (am) nervous about this, especially since someone said in the covid thread that AMC was trimming their intern class back. Can anyone confirm that?

I haven’t heard from my program directly but one of the other interns shared an email they got from the program director saying we were absolutely guaranteed for our internship. So that is definitely something at least!

Wow, that would be crazy if that were true since that would be violating the rules of the VIRMP. I guess anything is possible right now though

 

[flameshock]

Wow, that would be crazy if that were true since that would be violating the rules of the VIRMP. I guess anything is possible right now though

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I haven’t heard anything back from the people I know who will go to AMC, so I was wondering if there was any other intel floating around.

Iirc though, AMC is going to have a year soon where they don’t take interns at all d/t hospital remodel. So who knows.

 

[DPolaris]

Just signed some stuff last week and sent over some documents to my program, they're treating things day-by-day because that's really all that can be done at this point, and in their email they're hopeful things can proceed as scheduled, but also weren't sure if there will be any visa troubles, especially if the non-essential travel ban continues into mid-June.

 

[jaime244]

Nope! The institutions with open slots typically want the same documents to apply but anyone can apply once the open positions list is available to the public.

Thanks for the info!

 

[supershorty]

That’s so awesome!!! I am excited to meet them!! 🙂 🙂


Can’t wait to meet her!!! I’ve heard nothing but great things about that internship program!!

At least 1 of my classmates also matched to Tufts!

 

[DPolaris]

Crossposting this from the COVID thread over in pre-vet...Canadian here who matched to a private practice SA rotating internship in the States, one of the big cities. Will not be covered under their benefits plan until something like 30 or 45 days after my first work day (which is fair and I've seen this at other places), and originally I was going to just get travel insurance to cover that bit, but recently reaching out to a few providers they all have stopped issuing travel insurance, which is also fair. This combined with uncertainty re: visas, high number of cases and higher density in the States vs Canada and difficulty in accessing healthcare, I did consider dropping out of my internship. I contacted the VIRMP and was told that I wouldn't be sanctioned if my program releases me (which after asking around, will probably not happen) or if there are travel restrictions (none so far for essential workers on TN visa, just the green card which was announced yesterday), so it looks like I'd be sanctioned and probably be burning bridges if I decided to drop out at this point. Obviously like many people I've worked hard for the internship and really want to go down, but I can't help but be worried for my own safety, and at the same time I also don't want to burn any bridges, get in trouble, etc. especially because residency is something I am heavily considering as well in the future. I could also wait and see what happens in late-May, but it's getting to that point where my current lease is running out, I should probably start looking for a place to rent in the States, figure out how to move my life down, sort out my bills/life up here in Canada, etc. etc. so I'm not entirely sure what to do.

Any thoughts?

 

[allygator13]

Crossposting this from the COVID thread over in pre-vet...Canadian here who matched to a private practice SA rotating internship in the States, one of the big cities. Will not be covered under their benefits plan until something like 30 or 45 days after my first work day (which is fair and I've seen this at other places), and originally I was going to just get travel insurance to cover that bit, but recently reaching out to a few providers they all have stopped issuing travel insurance, which is also fair. This combined with uncertainty re: visas, high number of cases and higher density in the States vs Canada and difficulty in accessing healthcare, I did consider dropping out of my internship. I contacted the VIRMP and was told that I wouldn't be sanctioned if my program releases me (which after asking around, will probably not happen) or if there are travel restrictions (none so far for essential workers on TN visa, just the green card which was announced yesterday), so it looks like I'd be sanctioned and probably be burning bridges if I decided to drop out at this point. Obviously like many people I've worked hard for the internship and really want to go down, but I can't help but be worried for my own safety, and at the same time I also don't want to burn any bridges, get in trouble, etc. especially because residency is something I am heavily considering as well in the future. I could also wait and see what happens in late-May, but it's getting to that point where my current lease is running out, I should probably start looking for a place to rent in the States, figure out how to move my life down, sort out my bills/life up here in Canada, etc. etc. so I'm not entirely sure what to do.

Any thoughts?

I'm assuming your internship starts in June? That is a tough call 🙁

 

[Angelo84]

Crossposting this from the COVID thread over in pre-vet...Canadian here who matched to a private practice SA rotating internship in the States, one of the big cities. Will not be covered under their benefits plan until something like 30 or 45 days after my first work day (which is fair and I've seen this at other places), and originally I was going to just get travel insurance to cover that bit, but recently reaching out to a few providers they all have stopped issuing travel insurance, which is also fair. This combined with uncertainty re: visas, high number of cases and higher density in the States vs Canada and difficulty in accessing healthcare, I did consider dropping out of my internship. I contacted the VIRMP and was told that I wouldn't be sanctioned if my program releases me (which after asking around, will probably not happen) or if there are travel restrictions (none so far for essential workers on TN visa, just the green card which was announced yesterday), so it looks like I'd be sanctioned and probably be burning bridges if I decided to drop out at this point. Obviously like many people I've worked hard for the internship and really want to go down, but I can't help but be worried for my own safety, and at the same time I also don't want to burn any bridges, get in trouble, etc. especially because residency is something I am heavily considering as well in the future. I could also wait and see what happens in late-May, but it's getting to that point where my current lease is running out, I should probably start looking for a place to rent in the States, figure out how to move my life down, sort out my bills/life up here in Canada, etc. etc. so I'm not entirely sure what to do.

Any thoughts?

Does the internship you are going to have a Human Resources person? You should be able to get individual health insurance to bridge you until your benefits start. That person would probably be the best to help you sort it. You can try to research plans yourself but suspect it is muddy waters. Changing jobs would be a qualifying event which would let you apply outside the normal open enrollment season You May even be able to use the same plan you will be on just covering the cost yourself fully for one month before they start paying for part of it. Good luck I know it’s stressful!

 

[britzen]

Crossposting this from the COVID thread over in pre-vet...Canadian here who matched to a private practice SA rotating internship in the States, one of the big cities. Will not be covered under their benefits plan until something like 30 or 45 days after my first work day (which is fair and I've seen this at other places), and originally I was going to just get travel insurance to cover that bit, but recently reaching out to a few providers they all have stopped issuing travel insurance, which is also fair. This combined with uncertainty re: visas, high number of cases and higher density in the States vs Canada and difficulty in accessing healthcare, I did consider dropping out of my internship. I contacted the VIRMP and was told that I wouldn't be sanctioned if my program releases me (which after asking around, will probably not happen) or if there are travel restrictions (none so far for essential workers on TN visa, just the green card which was announced yesterday), so it looks like I'd be sanctioned and probably be burning bridges if I decided to drop out at this point. Obviously like many people I've worked hard for the internship and really want to go down, but I can't help but be worried for my own safety, and at the same time I also don't want to burn any bridges, get in trouble, etc. especially because residency is something I am heavily considering as well in the future. I could also wait and see what happens in late-May, but it's getting to that point where my current lease is running out, I should probably start looking for a place to rent in the States, figure out how to move my life down, sort out my bills/life up here in Canada, etc. etc. so I'm not entirely sure what to do.

Any thoughts?

I responded to you in the COVID thread too, but thought I'd copy paste my answer here in case others reading this thread have similar questions in the future:

I don't know the details of how foreign workers buy health insurance in the United States, but you should be able to qualify to buy a short term health insurance plan - there are several options in the US for providing gap coverage. I got a temporary policy through the health insurance marketplace a few years ago when I was between school and a new job (Through here: Get 2020 health coverage. Health Insurance Marketplace). I'm fairly sure you would be able to do the same as a visa holder (Find out what immigration statuses qualify for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace.).

But, given that US health insurance is kind of a hot mess to figure out if you've had to deal with it before, and it will be new to you...

If I were you I would find an insurance agent or broker in the state where you will do your internship and ask them to help you find coverage. Agents work for a specific company, brokers will look at multiple companies. You can find a list of insurance professionals that can help you here: Local Assistance for Health Insurance Application

 

[Nalra095]

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I haven’t heard anything back from the people I know who will go to AMC, so I was wondering if there was any other intel floating around.

Iirc though, AMC is going to have a year soon where they don’t take interns at all d/t hospital remodel. So who knows.

Do you know if that will be the 2022-2023 intern year? I’m graduating in 2022 and AMC is my top choice for a rotating internship.. it would be a shame if they didnt accept interns during my year 🙁

 

[Vannandy]

Current AMC intern here. The hospital runs on interns. There will always be an internship don't worry lol