Couples Match-- another annoying thread

[LFPC]

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First person in the couple: national average step score, top 20 US school, 3rd quartile in class, applying for FM or Psych.

Second person in couple: step score 200 after one failed attempt, Caribbean med school, applying for any residency in US, not able to match for residency two years in a row.

Would the second person be helped by the first person's application? Should the two couples match? What are your thoughts? Is there any way person number two can get help from person number one to get a residency?

Thanks!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Probably not, but maybe. If applying to two different fields, then both applications will be evaluated separately. If you get an interview and your partner does not, you can always call and sometimes the other program will interview -- I do this if the person was borderline. If they were a solid no, then no.

If applying to the same field, then maybe again. If it's a program in a big city with lots of other programs, probably no effect. if it's at an institution that's "the only show in town", then they would know it's likely an all or nothing deal. Again, if the weaker candidate is borderline, that might pull them up. If not, I'd reject both.

If you anounce your couples match, there is some chance that programs will reject you because of your partner. Your best option is to apply without announcing the couples issue. If you get an interview and your partner is rejected, you can always ask them to re-review your partner. There is some risk in this, though -- they may decide that you're not serious about their program because they didn't interview your partner and rank you lower because of it.

If you both get interviews, then it's only in your favor to let them know.

Remember that you can couples match in the NRMP without telling anyone via ERAS. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[LFPC]

Thanks 🙂.

Does anyone else have any other thoughts?

 

[gutonc]

Thanks 🙂.

Does anyone else have any other thoughts?

Yes! Listen to aPD. Everyone else is either going to agree with him or be wrong.

 

[infarct]

Thanks 🙂.

Does anyone else have any other thoughts?

no...like gutonc said...nothing left to be said. good luck!

 

[DoctwoB]

First person in the couple: national average step score, top 20 US school, 3rd quartile in class, applying for FM or Psych.

Second person in couple: step score 200 after one failed attempt, Caribbean med school, applying for any residency in US, not able to match for residency two years in a row.

Would the second person be helped by the first person's application? Should the two couples match? What are your thoughts? Is there any way person number two can get help from person number one to get a residency?

Thanks!

My thought on this (take it for what its worth, i'm just a med student) is that as a top 20 school med student with avg step scores, you would be extremely competitive for relatively lower-tier family med programs thought would ordinarily only fill with IMGs or go unfilled. In this situation, they may be willing to interview/take your S.O. in order to bring you to their program.

 

[LFPC]

Yes! Listen to aPD. Everyone else is either going to agree with him or be wrong.

Lol, okay! Thanks, everyone 🙂! By the way, why is he the authority-- what are aPD's credentials? (Sorry, just want to make sure that my sources are somewhat reliable lol.) Thanks!

 

[gutonc]

Lol, okay! Thanks, everyone 🙂! By the way, why is he the authority-- what are aPD's credentials? (Sorry, just want to make sure that my sources are somewhat reliable lol.) Thanks!

Ummmm...he's a PD.

 

[LFPC]

Lol wasn't sure his name was literal, but I guess he really is one! Good enough for me!

 

[gutonc]

Lol wasn't sure his name was literal, but I guess he really is one! Good enough for me!

Really? A moderator with 3500+ posts and you thought he was fakin' the funk?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Thanks for the plug, but my viewpoint should be taken as just that -- the viewpoint of a single PD. Other opinions are of course welcome.

If the weaker candidate can't match, the stronger one who gets a spot might be able to get their partner a "SubI" like experience at their program. This is NOT easy and will require significant politicing, since they would not have a license nor be a student -- but with the right connections it can be done. That might lead to a spot at that program, or more interviews.

 

[LFPC]

Really? A moderator with 3500+ posts and you thought he was fakin' the funk?

Lol on some websites/discussion forums, it doesn't take much to become a moderator with 3500+ posts!

Thanks, aPD, I appreciate it!