I don't quite understand why people are so interested in which programs did not fill via the match. Often times it's different programs every year with very few exceptions. Programs don't fill for many reasons and just because a program doesn't fill, I don't think a person should look at that as a negative for that program.
As for the deleted posts, I'm just assuming (and so I may be wrong) but those posts might have said something referring to the people who didn't match that they should accept the reality or look at the situation with a realistic outlook that there is a reason that they didn't match (i.e. possibly non-competitive or avg USMLE scores, IMG status, no a diverse enough application plan, not enough interviews, no honors on EM elective, etc.) and that they should face this reality and go on. Or maybe that they shouldn't really be so surprised that they didn't match given these possible factors.
Still, it doesn't matter how realistic your chances of matching are... right now, to the person who wanted nothing more than an EM spot and who's hopes were so high after many interviews and positive feedback, the feeling now that the reality is sinking in that you didn't get what you've been striving for and wanted is so overwhelmingly sad and you're either in complete denial or feel like a complete failure. Right now, it really doesn't help to hear just how low of chance you might have had at attaining a position given the competitive nature of EM. These applicants have to face it on their own terms and deal with it on their own terms. They have to now activate plan B and hope for the best. Eventually, they should be talked to about their chances of getting an EM spot next year (if in fact that's what they're planning to do) as everyone should have a very realistic outlook on this, just not now.
Trust me, I've dealt with this issue for a few years now and have had people give me the hard talk saying "look there's a very low chance that you will get a spot when you reapply next year give Factor A,BC". I approached this past reapplication cycle with a very realistic outlook and knew that the chances were against me. Still, hope is always there and it's the last thing to go. I had hope until the end and now realize that it might not be in my future and so I have to go on with something else. This is unfortunate but something that I was ready to deal with.
So my final message to the people that did not match is: Don't give up. If EM is something you really want deep down in your heart, than do everything you can to improve your chances so that next year you might be more successful than this year. Keep that hope alive and keep fighting. In the end, if you don't get it, then at least you can say to yourself that you did everything you could and will have no regrets.
