Does it matter if applicant had participated in residency match before?

[drjazzy06]

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Hi I went umatched last year. My question is:

1. Can program director know applicant previous match history?

2. Is it negative in any way in getting interview in next match?

Thanks!!

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Hi I went umatched last year. My question is:

1. Can program director know applicant previous match history?

2. Is it negative in any way in getting interview in next match?

Thanks!!

While I don't know the answer to your first question (though I suspect it's no), I don't see why it would be viewed as negative. It likely means that you simply ranked too few programs, and I don't see why any program this year would hold that against you. True, it COULD mean that you ranked 50 programs and none of them wanted anything to do with you, but that's pretty unlikely and I doubt any program is going to jump to that conclusion. So I wouldn't worry about it, especially since you can't change it anyway.

 

[drjazzy06]

While I don't know the answer to your first question (though I suspect it's no), I don't see why it would be viewed as negative. It likely means that you simply ranked too few programs, and I don't see why any program this year would hold that against you. True, it COULD mean that you ranked 50 programs and none of them wanted anything to do with you, but that's pretty unlikely and I doubt any program is going to jump to that conclusion. So I wouldn't worry about it, especially since you can't change it anyway.

Thanks!!! any other opinion?

 

[tfom08]

Thanks!!! any other opinion?

I agree with the previous answer. Basically, the fact that you didn't match, in and of itself, should not really matter. Now, people who didn't match previously are probably more likely to not match again, but this is likely due to the underlying reasons they failed to match the first time. So if the reason for you is that you didn't rank enough programs, I don't see why a PD would count that as a negative. If the reason you didn't match before had something to do with your transcript or lackluster letters, then the problem will likely resurface again I suppose.

 

[Ludicolo]

PDs can search for an applicant’s prior match history. It’s more to let them to know if the applicant is eligible for the match or if they have a existing commitment to another previously matched program. Also lets them know if the applicant has a history of match waivers or violations - potential red flags.

If you simply went unmatched this shouldn’t be an issue, but there will be a gap in your application that presumably you will have to explain, if you haven't already. Is it a negative in landing interviews? Shouldn’t be, but it depends on the individual program and the reason(s) why you didn’t match in the first place.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

PDs can search for an applicant's prior match history.

To clarify briefly:

I can search to see if you've ever matched or had a match violation, as Ludicolo reports. I cannot tell the difference between "you applied and didn't match anywhere" and "you didn't participate in last year's match". All it will tell me is that you have no prior matches.

 

[drjazzy06]

I agree with the previous answer. Basically, the fact that you didn't match, in and of itself, should not really matter. Now, people who didn't match previously are probably more likely to not match again, but this is likely due to the underlying reasons they failed to match the first time. So if the reason for you is that you didn't rank enough programs, I don't see why a PD would count that as a negative. If the reason you didn't match before had something to do with your transcript or lackluster letters, then the problem will likely resurface again I suppose.

PDs can search for an applicant’s prior match history. It’s more to let them to know if the applicant is eligible for the match or if they have a existing commitment to another previously matched program. Also lets them know if the applicant has a history of match waivers or violations - potential red flags.

If you simply went unmatched this shouldn’t be an issue, but there will be a gap in your application that presumably you will have to explain, if you haven't already. Is it a negative in landing interviews? Shouldn’t be, but it depends on the individual program and the reason(s) why you didn’t match in the first place.

To clarify briefly:

I can search to see if you've ever matched or had a match violation, as Ludicolo reports. I cannot tell the difference between "you applied and didn't match anywhere" and "you didn't participate in last year's match". All it will tell me is that you have no prior matches.

Thanks for your time to reply.

 

[DRkam]

Hi drjazzy06 - I am in the same position. I am a reapplicant this year and I was wondering if I needed to specifically address this point in my interviews. I have also decided to switch which specialty I am applying to ...

 

[Law2Doc]

As mentioned, you are going to be expected to account for your time since med school, and I would think that asking folks not coming directly out of med school on interviews whether they previously tried to match, and/or why they didn't match would be fair game.