Did not match, now what?

[Reeseso]

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I just found out that I did not match and I am at a loss. I plan to do my prelim year just in case a spot opens up. Has anyone else found themselves in the same spot and if so, what did you do or are going to do to improve your application. Anyway reapply and were successful?

 

[Chyclops]

Sorry to hear that. I seriously start preparing myself for that feeling since this morning, and I don't think it's working. I probably should go buy some pills and drinks.

If you don't mind my asking, how did you find out that information?

 

[publicforum8]

I am sorry to hear that - I did not match either. I was told vacancies would be posted on the SF Match site on Monday - and we can go from there. I am also going to try to find out how I may get Neurology interviews starting in 2012 - I understand they are still interviewing for positions.

Good luck to you! - I am just trying to remember that everything always works out .. life moves on .. and we are lucky to be physicians in the first place. Keep in touch.

 

[Reeseso]

My dean told me this morning. Your school gets a list of who matches and I asked her to let me know.

 

[OcchiBelli]

Hey guys,

I am so sorry to hear about your match results. I know how heartbreaking it is, I was in your shoes last year. My recommendation to you guys is not to give up if ophthalmology is something you really want to do.
Although no one can give you the right answer, I would recommend the following...

First think about why you didnt match (Did you get lots of interviews? If yes, maybe it's something in the interview skills you need to work on. If you didn't get many interviews, was it something in the selection process? Your board scores, grades, etc.) These things you need to improve or add something more to your CV so you can stand out next year. A prelim year is not going to do that. So... Show your commitment to the field. Delay your graduation for one more year and during that year try to get into some ophthalmology research or a pre-residency fellowship at one of the more known institutions. Yes, it may not be financially compensated, but if you find a great research opportunity and a PI who will be a great advocate for you in the next year's match, it will pay off.

Now, I understand that everyone's situation is different and my advice may not work for everyone. But if ophtho is what you want, give it another try.

I hope all goes well. In the next few days try to take care of yourself because that is what is most important. Think positively

 

[Eyes101]

Didn't match either, and I didn't really have a backup plan in mind. I'm at a loss of what to do next. In the past, there's only maybe one spot that is unfilled, so I"m not too hopeful for that on Monday. I guess I have to just stop and think about what to do.

Good luck to all of you, wherever you end up.

 

[Perseus]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/archive/index.php/t-75229.html

This is an SDN archive thread about pre-residency fellowships in ophtho. You can also use the SDN search for ophthalmology and pre-residency fellowships. I know that Utah and Bascom have ocularpathology fellowships that have a high match rate for second time applicants. There are a couple others that I don't remember where they are at. There are other options like research and what not, as mentioned above. I don't know if just pushing through an internship adds much advantage to your second try and PGY-2 spots don't open all too often and are frequently filled by highly qualified IMGs that have already completed an ophtho residency elsewhere. That's my take. Good luck.
Sorry if the link doesn't work, I've been having trouble posting hyperlinks. I think it's a user ID10T error.

 

[italianeyes2]

Hey guys,

I am so sorry to hear about your match results. I know how heartbreaking it is, I was in your shoes last year. My recommendation to you guys is not to give up if ophthalmology is something you really want to do.
Although no one can give you the right answer, I would recommend the following...

First think about why you didnt match (Did you get lots of interviews? If yes, maybe it's something in the interview skills you need to work on. If you didn't get many interviews, was it something in the selection process? Your board scores, grades, etc.) These things you need to improve or add something more to your CV so you can stand out next year. A prelim year is not going to do that. So... Show your commitment to the field. Delay your graduation for one more year and during that year try to get into some ophthalmology research or a pre-residency fellowship at one of the more known institutions. Yes, it may not be financially compensated, but if you find a great research opportunity and a PI who will be a great advocate for you in the next year's match, it will pay off.

Now, I understand that everyone's situation is different and my advice may not work for everyone. But if ophtho is what you want, give it another try.

I hope all goes well. In the next few days try to take care of yourself because that is what is most important. Think positively

This is good advice. If you really only want to do ophtho, then I would suggest taking a year off to strengthen your app or just apply smarter. Or sometimes good applications can not match because the applicant did not apply broadly/smartly.

The only advantage to doing a PGY-1 year would be that you can apply for spots that open up (and a handful do). So if you are one of those applicants who had a good application but did not apply broadly, this may be an option for you.

The latter describes me (good app, poor decisions when applying) but I took the approach of extending my graduation because I felt it was the safer option than waiting for a spot to open up at a place I may or may not want to attend. Also, delaying graduation is beneficial because you show up on the application as a US senior and not a postgrad. I applied more broadly and received 25+ interviews the second time and matched in my top 3. So, I did not experience much bias against my application even though I was a reapplicant.

It's a crappy experience and I know you must all be really disappointed (I was there) but it's not the end of the road if you are still committed to Ophtho. Hang in there, use your family and friends for support, take some time away from the whole thing and decide whats best for you. Feel free to PM me if I can help in any way.

Also, regarding the scramble: my advisor found out that a spot was open before it was posted on SFMatch. He made a call for me and I was able to get an interview before they got bombarded by the calls of ppl that didnt match. I didn't end up matching there so it was agony x2 but it was worth the effort. Side note -- On my second round of interviews the next year, I interviewed at that school again and it didnt even make the top half of my rank list. So it works out for the best in the end.

Wish you all the best during this tough time!

 

[snowbank]

Same situation here. Just confirming - the scramble process, I dont think its as organized as in ERAS is it? I mean the website just mentions that the places which have vacancies will be listed in the vacancies section. Is that the ONLY way we can find out what's open?