Early & Regular Match (Uro+Peds) Couple

[JuneBug356]

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Originally posted this in a different forum but this one makes more sense!

Does anyone have experience as part of a couple doing an early match and regular match? Even more specifically, uro + peds?

I've done extensive searching online but the available information is scant. We've both applied broadly, but I have some questions about sending emails to programs.

I'm applying to peds and have received several interviews to programs/cities that he applied and has not yet received interviews. He has sent a couple emails to programs that he has a strong interest in (one of which is a place I did an away rotation) and hasn't heard back yet. With urology being such a small field, I'm wondering if it's okay for him to email other programs at which I've received interviews stating his interest & that I have an interview, or if it's bad to send more than a few (I'm not sure if that kind of information is shared among PCs/PDs in such a small field).

Additionally, I was wondering if it would be appropriate for me to send an email to the programs at which I've received interviews. In the real couples match scenario I would imagine maybe it would be better to bring this up at or after the interview, but urology programs only interview on 2-3 dates, mostly in October & November, so if I wait until interviews it will likely be too late. If it would be appropriate for me to email my programs about this, what should I say?

Thanks in advance for any advice! And if anyone out there did uro+peds or uro+reg match or knows someone who would be willing to share their experience, pm me your/their contact info. I'm looking for any guidance I can get.

 

[gutonc]

You should definitely contact the programs where you're interviewing and ask them to help out. Also have him talk to his advisor or home PD about contacting those programs. Him sending an email is probably not going to be that useful.

 

[iluvsteak]

I know of a couple who did this exact match two years ago. When the guy found out his uro placement, the peds applicant contacted all her programs ( interviewed at or even just applied, I'm not sure) within like 75 miles. I don't think they emailed or tried to coordinate with the programs beforehand because uro is in its own little world.

 

[JuneBug356]

You should definitely contact the programs where you're interviewing and ask them to help out. Also have him talk to his advisor or home PD about contacting those programs. Him sending an email is probably not going to be that useful.

Thanks for the input!

Do you have any advice on what I might include in an email to the program? And should I send it to the PD or PC? I feel weird about basically asking them for a favor before even interviewing me so I'm not really sure how I should phrase it in an email.

 

[gutonc]

Start with the PC. Doesn't need to be anything fancy, just state the facts. It's unlikely it's the first time they've heard it.

 

[JuneBug356]

rograms do try to help each other out in situations like this. But unfortunately the willingness/ease to do so usually rolls "downhill" so to speak.

Meaning that uro programs are in more of a sellers market, and also tend to be more discriminating about who they select since they will be working very closely with them in a super small program for 5-6 years

Yeah... that's what I was afraid of. Do you think it's even worth trying? I also don't want to make the peds programs think I wouldn't go there for residency if my SO isn't able to interview & then have them rank me lower. We're definitely accepting of the fact that we may end up in separate cities (hopefully within driving distance).

 

[rokshana]

had a student last year that was in a similar situation...he ob her uro...they basically tried to get all the interviews they could and once she matched, he only ranked places that were close to her match...

probably going to be easier for him to ask places he is interviewing to help out with getting you peds interviews than the other way around... and once he has matched, for his program to help with getting you ranked at place in the same institution or city...

 

[mvenus929]

Two of my classmates were in that situation (uro+peds) a couple years ago. She just started going on interviews everywhere, and cancelled those later in the season that he didn't get invites at. It was a stressful process for them, but she was as good of an applicant as he was, so they were able to land at the same institution. I think when he matched, she reached out to everyone at our school to help put in a good word at the two programs near where he matched. Yes, sending a note yourself can help, but having someone who has worked with you also advocate on your behalf is better.

I also had a couple friends doing military + regular match. They had some interesting strategies.

 

[nfh21500]

I am in this situation now, except IM (me) + Ophtho. Every time he gets an interview somewhere, I email the respective IM department, and vice versa. It has lead to a handful of immediate interview invites, so definitely go for it. I imagine it has to be either helpful, or at worse, neutral.