Couples match?

[benwin]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to couples match with someone going into OB/GYN...I read the previous thread regarding couples match between someone matching with SF match and someone matching with NRMP that said, "couples applied to the same programs and interviewed. The SFMatch then runs the ophthalmology match and calls the top program in regards to his wife's chances. If the program states, in confidence, that they are ranking the spouse to match, then SFMatch keeps the match; otherwise, they go to the second, third, fourth, etc." But when I asked SFmatch about the possibility of couples match, their response was "We only have a couple's match for couple's that are both participating in matches that we conduct. Unfortunately, your case does not qualify as such. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office."

So, have things changed since that post and does SF match no longer provide this service? How would you even tell SF match that you wanted to couples match with someone doing the NRMP?

Thanks all

 

[JR]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

A good friend of mine did a SFmatch-regular match thing 2 years ago. The procedure was exactly as you desctibed. I am not sure if anything has changed, but I'd definately research this issue further. Don't just talk to people who pick up phones at SFmatch, ask to speak to a supervisor, etc., etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[rubensan]

the word on the interview trail this past year was that things HAVE changed. I met a few people who were trying to do exactly what you suggested and apparently the year that JR matched, SF Match was sued by a disgruntled applicant so they no longer try to coordinate with program directors that participate in the ERAS. Of course, I only know this through word of mouth and you SHOULD try to confirm this.

Good luck! The good thing is there are a lot of OB/GYN programs out there.

 

[mbc]

My husband and I did this last year. There is no official couples match. I posted something earlier (May/June) to another query. So if someone wants to add this info to a FAQ that might be helpful. Ob/GYN isn't so bad, but still fairly competitive since it is surgical. It will be tremendously helpful if you are both strong candidates.
1. Each of you should do an early away rotation at different places that you may be extremely interested in. You should each work as hard as possible and talk about each other a lot to different attendings so that someone in your dept. will call someone in the other dept.
2. You will get all of your interviews first, go to as many as possible to enhance your overlap with your spouse.
3. At every interview be up front and tell them about your spouse, make sure you either e-mail the program director or give them a sheet with his/her name, program of interest and any other pertinent details. If your interviews are really early this may allow your spouse to get an interview. Be clear that you will or won't be willing to be apart. My husband and I have a child, being apart for 3 years was never an option.
4. Discuss vibes and what programs you like with your spouse and ask your home program directors or advisors to make calls on your behalf. Do this only for 1-2 programs.
5. Always write thank you letters including your spouse's info.
6. After some interviews or away rotations you may get that warm and fuzzy feeling about good chances, make sure your spouse has those same feelings.
7. Be positive and express that throughout your interviews. It will all work out just fine, believe it.
8. Apply to cities where several programs exist. We didn't necessarily do this, because of our own desires on places to live, but it still worked out very well.
9. If you get on well with your home program use them, they may also be your best match if they are friendly.
10. Rank only programs that you both agree on. Your match will determine your spouse's match. You may have only 5-6 overlaps, that will be OK. Don't try to overanalyze the match, rank your top choice of program and where you think your spouse has a good chance. After you match have your spouse and/or her program director call the ob/gyn program at that location and tell them joyously about your match there.
Good Luck, let me know if you have any other questions.