Did not match

[oldManDO2009]

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seems to be a familiar story this year. I did not match in the ACGME and was to late for the AOA. I have managed to locate an IM slot but still have my heart set on EM. I can not sit out a year since I need to feed my kids. What are the chances of switching to EM or IM/EM combined next year?

What are the pitfalls? How do I go about it - need to participate in the match? Will not have time to attend interviews so it seems daunting..

 

[Drawing Dead]

Well, if your IM program is at a place that has EM and/or EM/IM your chances will increase. People change their minds all the time, and some people will change out of EM or EM/IM (one of my collegues dropped the IM portion this year), or outright transfer. If this happens at your program, you will be one of the first to know, and have a shot.

The problem is, if you do an IM program, you might be screwing yourself funding wise. If you sign on to do a 3 year program, your clock is ticking for 3 years. EM is 3-4 years, and EM/IM is 5. That means you will not get funding for 1 to 2 years.

If you haven't signed your contract, what I suggest is you only do a prelim year at a program that has EM/IM. Your funding clock will not start since you are only doing a prelim year. At the same time you can basically "showcase" there and apply for any advanced spots they have for EM and EM/IM. At the same time, you will earn 1st year credit that may transfer into your new program.

Either way you will still have to apply and interview. You may or may not have to do the match, depending on whether or not the programs are offering you a 1st year or 2nd year spot.

 

[Char]

I wouldn't sign IM, I agree with everything that Drawing Dead said. My program rejected a person doing another program just because of this. Spots will open...people change their mind, plus you can always reapply. I would also, suggest you do a osteo transitional year, that way you have oppurtunites in both worlds.

 

[GeneralVeers]

I wouldn't sign IM, I agree with everything that Drawing Dead said. My program rejected a person doing another program just because of this. Spots will open...people change their mind, plus you can always reapply. I would also, suggest you do a osteo transitional year, that way you have oppurtunites in both worlds.

I'm surprised at all the people who didn't match who went into FP, IM and peds. Why didn't anyone do Transitional as a backup? You only have a 1 year commitment and it doesn't affect the funding clock.

 

[SoCuteMD]

I'm surprised at all the people who didn't match who went into FP, IM and peds. Why didn't anyone do Transitional as a backup? You only have a 1 year commitment and it doesn't affect the funding clock.

Scramble spots were scarce this year. There were 38 transitional spots pre-scramble, and someone told me that as soon as ERAS opened for the scramble, all but 10 of them were gone.

 

[GeneralVeers]

Scramble spots were scarce this year. There were 38 transitional spots pre-scramble, and someone told me that as soon as ERAS opened for the scramble, all but 10 of them were gone.

The whole process seems to suck more and more every year.

When I scrambled (successfully) I had two offers from transitional programs the following day.

 

[abbaroodle]

.

 

[Greenbbs]

check around at some of the DO places......they may have some leeway to fit you in somehow...