Couples match question

[DJ Trauma]

I'm entering the couples match this year, and I have a bit of a dilemma. I'm applying for a medicine spot, my partner is applying for a surgery spot. We're both fairly strong applicants, but have also applied to some very competitive programs. I've gotten interview invitations at some places that he hasn't yet heard from, and vice versa. Some of these programs are places we are both very interested in, and obviously will not be able to consider if the other doesn't get an interview.

So my question is this: is it appropriate to contact program directors and ask them for their help with this matter? If so, what's the best way to ask without sounding entitled/rude? And will they be able to help since we are applying to different departments? If anyone has any experience/advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[peptidoglycan]

I'm having the same problem, but both of us are applying in Medicine. I have responded to the invitations for interviews by asking for a date and telling them that I am also couples matching and would it be possible for him to interview at the same time. This approach has worked for me, and it has also failed miserably in other situations. I'm at a loss as well. Anyone else?

 

[margaritaboy]

I'm entering the couples match this year, and I have a bit of a dilemma. I'm applying for a medicine spot, my partner is applying for a surgery spot. We're both fairly strong applicants, but have also applied to some very competitive programs. I've gotten interview invitations at some places that he hasn't yet heard from, and vice versa. Some of these programs are places we are both very interested in, and obviously will not be able to consider if the other doesn't get an interview.

So my question is this: is it appropriate to contact program directors and ask them for their help with this matter? If so, what's the best way to ask without sounding entitled/rude? And will they be able to help since we are applying to different departments? If anyone has any experience/advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Yes, yes and yes. I went through the couples match last year (EM and Peds) with my wife.

Without a doubt I would hit the phones or fire off some emails at this point. You guys won't want to waste any time interviewing in areas where there isn't an interview for both of you.

Here is an example of what we did (I've obviously changed our names) 🙂 :

To: '[email protected]'
Subject: Couples Match for Margaritaboy's Better Half/ Upcoming Interview and Application Status

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Subject: Application Status / Couples Match for Margaritaboy's Better Half(Pediatrics) & Margaritaboy (EM)

Dear Dr. Swan,

I am a fourth year medical student at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and am very interested in the pediatric residency program at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

My husband, Margaritaboy, and I are participating in the couples-match and have applied for PGY-1 positions at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, respectively. Margaritaboy has received and accepted an interview invitation in January with the Emergency Medicine program. We are very excited about this opportunity, and looking forward to our visit to Nashville.

Since we will be in Tennessee in January, I would like to respectfully inquire as to the status of my application. Please consider my application, and do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide any further information.

Thank you for your consideration, and we wish the best of luck to Vanderbilt in the upcoming interview and match season.

Thank you,

Margaritaboy's Better Half

You can also try to contact a program which HAS offered you an interview, but not your partner. In several cases that I remember, my program actually contacted the other program to expidite review of my wife's application and vise versa. In this case, just say your are excitied/looking forward to your interview, but remind them that you are in the couples match and are still awaiting word from your partner's program.

Even if the answer is 'no' it will still help you out trememdously in terms of planning/scheduling interviews, especially if you plan on trying to interview around the same dates.

Good luck!

 

[DJ Trauma]

thanks so much, margaritaboy, that was really helpful. we're going to start emailing/calling tomorrow.

 

[DJ Trauma]

i just emailed some program directors this morning, and already i've received some positive responses. my letter was almost the same as your example 🙂 Just wanted to say thank you again!

Yes, yes and yes. I went through the couples match last year (EM and Peds) with my wife.

Without a doubt I would hit the phones or fire off some emails at this point. You guys won't want to waste any time interviewing in areas where there isn't an interview for both of you.

Here is an example of what we did (I've obviously changed our names) 🙂 :

To: '[email protected]'
Subject: Couples Match for Margaritaboy's Better Half/ Upcoming Interview and Application Status

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Subject: Application Status / Couples Match for Margaritaboy's Better Half(Pediatrics) & Margaritaboy (EM)

Dear Dr. Swan,

I am a fourth year medical student at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and am very interested in the pediatric residency program at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

My husband, Margaritaboy, and I are participating in the couples-match and have applied for PGY-1 positions at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, respectively. Margaritaboy has received and accepted an interview invitation in January with the Emergency Medicine program. We are very excited about this opportunity, and looking forward to our visit to Nashville.

Since we will be in Tennessee in January, I would like to respectfully inquire as to the status of my application. Please consider my application, and do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide any further information.

Thank you for your consideration, and we wish the best of luck to Vanderbilt in the upcoming interview and match season.

Thank you,

Margaritaboy's Better Half

You can also try to contact a program which HAS offered you an interview, but not your partner. In several cases that I remember, my program actually contacted the other program to expidite review of my wife's application and vise versa. In this case, just say your are excitied/looking forward to your interview, but remind them that you are in the couples match and are still awaiting word from your partner's program.

Even if the answer is 'no' it will still help you out trememdously in terms of planning/scheduling interviews, especially if you plan on trying to interview around the same dates.

Good luck!

🙂

 

[the citizen]

How about it my case. My fiance (soon to be wife) is actually a year above. Thus she'll be an intern (in peds) while I'm a fourth year. Can we somehow enter a 'couples' match even thought we are an year apart. The thing is, she's a brain and will probably get into really good programs which i dont think i'll be able to compete with at this time (hey if Bush can admit that Laura speaks better English than him, I can admit to that) 😀

Any thoughts 👍 👍

Have her apply to top programs in cities where there are a number of less competitive programs (e.g. Boston, Philly, NYC). That way, next year you can apply to all the programs in that city. The other option is for her to do a year of research, and then you can couples match next year.

Good luck.