Accept Pre-Match offer or take my chances?

[SXMMD]

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[Mjolner]

I didn't know the NRMP was still allowing pre-matching.

 

[SXMMD]

To my knowledge, they aren't. Not sure how the program is managing it, but I got the IV offer through ERAS mailbox and the program informed, in that message, that they are not participating in the Match. Bizarre, I know, but I'm rolling with it so far.

 

[igcgnerd]

Pre match does still exist in certain places. The NRMP has all in/ all out policy. Meaning all positions must be in the match or none of the programs spots can be. Some programs which typically fill with IMG's are still doing it because they would rather pick and choose the select IMG's they want then take their chances in the match.

 

[DocBlin]

It depends upon when you must accept this PRE MATCH off. Maybe you can see the other programs first. But with your low board scores a hand is worth two in the bush concept might apply..

 

[playingfrombehind]

Hope everyone is having a productive fall! I've run into a dilemma (fairly good one to have frankly) that I could use some advice on from fellow SDN goers.

I'm a carib grad in the match for the first time. Passed all my exams first try, honored all rotations except 1 (pass in psych)
Step 1 209
Step 2 ck: 219
CS: pass

I applied widely and to a back up specialty as well (FM is my primary interest, it is not my back up). I have 3 IV s from FM so far, and am expecting to hear more news in the next 2-3 weeks (whether rejections or IV remains to be seen). I recently got a 4th interview with the program noting they will not participate in the Match/ will offer contracts outside of the Match. The prematch IV offer is from my back up specialty. I am familiar with the program, having rotated there, and while its a tough, tough program and wouldn't be my first choice due to inner city location and program culture, I know I'll survive and the training is solid, you get wide exposure to some pretty crazy pathology.

I am having a tough time making a decision here, and not sure how to prioritize. Do I interview here and possible take a pre-match offer, get my secure residency spot albeit in my second choice specialty, or do I hang on tight and wait and see what comes out of my FM interviews in March? Thus far I have taken the last offered interview date to buy myself time, but the reality is they may hand out all of their contracts before I even interview, so I have to make a decision pretty soon and possibly take a sooner interview date

would love to hear different perspectives on how other have approached or might have approached this situation!

Hey I would say your usmle scores and img status are major things going against. Im not trying to put you down with that comment since I have similR scores (but not img)
But I would strongly, strongly recommend you take the pre match offer unless you have a good reason otherwise.
Obviously schedule the iv after the ivs so you can see the other programs and make an informed decision.
The match is unpredictable and nothing is guaranteed.
Prematch = pretty much 100% I.e. unless you violate whatever their criteria are
Nrmp match probobaility = who knows so many factors

 

[SXMMD]

Cheers DocBlin, playingfrombehind, thanks for your opinions!

I appreciate your candid thoughts, if I came here just for the opinions that told me everything was great I would lose out on the benefit of other's experience/perspective, so please don't apologize for calling it how you see it!

Hope others can chime in as well. Will update with outcomes as the story unfolds so others can benefit in the future.

 

[AMEHigh]

Since you only have 4 interviews, I'd take the pre-match offer. Although it's not your top choice (many people don't get their top choice) if it offers decent training, then I wouldn't pass it up. Good luck!