22 unfilled spots in rads

[jpro]

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Dose this seem higher than usual? I got this from the my reports section on NRMP. I have no idea what programs these are. I guess this is a great opportunity to scramble into rads though.

So happy to match.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

According to AuntMinnie (Can't vouch for it myself):

2008: 22
2007: 17
2006: 28
2005: 48
2004: 5

 

[f_w]

Sounds about right. This is out of 900odd slots in the match.

Some of these are screwups where PDs of dinky programs think that listing 10 of the haaavad grads that showed up to interview late in the season where actually interested in the program. Some of them are intentionally left open to keep a slot available for that friendly and eager FMG who has been slaving away on the PDs research project for 2 years.

Couple of years back one of the Baylor (I believe) programs didn't submit a ranklist, or thought they had submitted one, or hadn't finalized it or something. Their entire complement of slots was available for 'independents'.

 

[toot99]

f_w do you have anything against :"that friendly and eager FMG who has been slaving away on the PDs research project for 2 years"
Please say it !

 

[f_w]

f_w do you have anything against :"that friendly and eager FMG who has been slaving away on the PDs research project for 2 years"
Please say it !

Look, I'm a FMG myself. I don't have anything against the poor sap who gets exploited that way. I do have something against the higher ups who rig a seemingly fair process to further their own agenda (most academic institutions don't allow their individual programs to take slots out of the match to fill them with 'special candidates'. they can't keep the PD from setting up a 'creative' ranklist to ensure that his desires are met.)

 

[omm]

Hi Rad forum,

I have matched to ophtho this season, but still need to begin my prelim or transitional program. I wanted to apply to Rad, but did not- for several reasons, including realizing my passion for it so late in the season. I am happy to provide more info on the reasons if needed.

Does anyone have any ideas about Radiology positions unfilled, or unfilled later in the season. Does this ever happen, or is the best bet re-applying? It would be nice to be able to contact programs who are unfilled now, but I know that this is only released to people scrambling. I am not asking for anyone to share the scrambled positions, just perhaps some advice on the best route to take. Of course, the thought of re-applying and going through that is overwhelming, especially also putting my family through the process again about not knowing where they'll end up moving to. However, I feel that Rad is simply a better choice for me and fits me better than ophtho. Both are wonderful careers, and I am thankful for having matched to ophtho.

Any ideas about switching, or if there are ever open spots for this? I know that for ophtho, if one wants to switch out of their program, they need to get permission from the PD to release them from their contract. I do not wish to hurt the program's plans for the future by switching, but at the same time, I want to be true to myself now rather than later.

If it is easiest now, or in the near future to switch- perhaps easiest on everyone, I wanted to inquire now about it.

Thank you to anyone who may have any input. I have spent a considerable amount of time weighing the pro's and con's, and would appreciate any shared info about this type of situation.

 

[OHMAN0125]

You are facing an uphill battle. The most competitive applicant is a strong US MS-4 applying through the Match. Anything else is deemed "non-traditional" and considered less competitive. Fair or unfair -- who knows? But that is a fact.

Glass half-full: You saw the light of rads (#1) and are bailing on ophtho (crap). Good decision.

Glass half-empty: You decided very late and really screwed yourself.

Be tenacious. If you're competitive and assertive you should get a spot. Good luck.

Hey apache, did ur spiderman avatar always dance??

 

[omm]

Dear SDN and previous poster,

Thanks so much for your input. I really appreciate it. It seems that it will be quite difficult to enter Radiology. I believe you are correct on the best situation being that of a 4th year. Please forgive- not to sound boastful, but just to perhaps guide anyone's advice, I thought I would share that I believe I would have had a good chance of matching into Rads this year- just based on grades, scores, etc. No one knows for sure, but I feel as competetive as others who matched successfully this year.

However, as you said, it is much more difficult to do something after match. Does anyone have experience, or know about how one goes about matching in this case. Would I need to re-apply, or will there be any positions available after the scramble, which may be available to someone like myself?

Thanks again for the input!

 

[Steiner]

Is that the Napolean Dynamite talent show dance he's performing?

 

[jpro]

When can we "legally" see the unfilled list? I would imagine the rad spots are filled by now. I would like to know if I ranked any of these programs. I see that some other specialty threads wasted no time posting their lists. Its a good thing sdn is for the most part anonymous.

 

[trail doc]

You are facing an uphill battle. The most competitive applicant is a strong US MS-4 applying through the Match. Anything else is deemed "non-traditional" and considered less competitive. Fair or unfair -- who knows? But that is a fact.

Don't confuse statistics and facts. It is true that the demographic of U.S. seniors have the highest match rate, and the demographic of all else, or "non-traditionals" have a lower match rate. But consider how you stack up within that demographic. You are not a candidate that has already been rejected once. You may not be an FMG, that statistically have a lower chance of matching. So you may have a relatively good chance. If you've already taken and passed step three, that's something you have to offer. It does not matter how your demographic fares in the match, it matters how you do, and this is especially important if you are not representitive of that demographic.
I matched to another highly competitive specialty as a non-traditional applicant, and it was what made me non-traditional that gave me an edge over many of the U.S. Seniors.

 

[kandabataka]

I wouldn't buy into the fear. I switched from ophthalmology to rads and had to answer a rare "how are you so sure about rads" a time or two but other than that had no difficulty. I applied during intern year and had 15 interviews-no radiology experience or faculty letters. You have to sell yourself but, if you want it, you can easily grab a spot through the match. try to get a letter in what's left of your 4th year and don't take no for an answer. a lot of people switch from rads to ophtho-just don't start your pgy2 year unless you are sure you want to do eyes because then it can get difficult

 

[DCMDtobe]

Can anyone confirm that Dartmouth didn't fill this year (and how many spots were open?)?

 

[(nicedream)]

Will someone post the list already?

 

[Amxcvbcv]

While we're waiting for someone to post this year's list, does anyone know what it was last year?



Are these spots unfilled on purpose or is it just poor rank lists by the program directors? I've heard hushed conversations with different programs that basically say they rig their list, so they can participate in the scramble because they feel they get better candidates that way.


Just curious... 😉

Also... for anyone that's observed this process for a few years, are these unfilled programs different from previous years or always the same?

 

[f_w]

Also... for anyone that's observed this process for a few years, are these unfilled programs different from previous years or always the same?

Different programs.

 

[keye]

whats up with all the ophtho bashing?? The only optho people you are talking about are the generalists, the subspecialits like Retina make an average of $500K and have some cutting edge surgeries.

 

[f_w]

whats up with all the ophtho bashing?? The only optho people you are talking about are the generalists, the subspecialits like Retina make an average of $500K and have some cutting edge surgeries.

Ophtho bashing is strictly confined to one member of this forum.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Ophtho bashing is strictly confined to one member of this forum.

Really? Like who?

 

[Bubb Rubb]

i scrambled, so i saw the list. i don't remember the whole thing and am not going to disclose it all.

edit: it's here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6398994&postcount=27

however, the 22 count is incorrect. by my numbers there were 14 unfilled spots listed, and 1 of those was an unattractive vascular/IR track. i also don't know how many of these spots were set aside internally for people switching in, personal favors called in, etc.

given this there could well be many fewer "real" spots in the match.

however, i do know that there were at least two open spots available to non-insider MS4s, because i snagged one of them and the other program called back a few hours too late. yes, i scrambled into rads, and also into an internship, as i only had one transitional program listed on the top level of my list vs. on a sub-list. i didn't have a clue that i was going to fall all the way through my rank list.

 

[shocker]

i scrambled, so i saw the list. i don't remember the whole thing and am not going to disclose it all.

edit: it's here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6398994&postcount=27

however, the 22 count is incorrect. by my numbers there were 14 unfilled spots listed, and 1 of those was an unattactive vascular/IR track. i also don't know how many of these spots were set aside internally for people switching in, personal favors called in, etc.

given this there could well be many fewer "real" spots in the match.

however, i do know that there were at least two open spots available to non-insider MS4s, because i snagged one of them and the other program called back a few hours too late. yes, i scrambled into rads, and also into an internship, as i only had one transitional program listed on the top level of my list vs. on a sub-list, as i didn't have a clue that i was going to fall all the way through my rank list.

Congrats on scrambling into Radiology! It doesn't matter how you made it, just that you made it. The word around the campfire this year was that it was very competitive and I do believe it.

I am glad you don't live in my neighborhood, WOO WOO!

 

[(nicedream)]

edit: it's here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6398994&postcount=27

however, the 22 count is incorrect. by my numbers there were 14 unfilled spots listed, and 1 of those was an unattractive vascular/IR track.

Add those up, from the list you linked to. It's 22.
Congrats!