hey guys, i have a q about getting out of your matched position to sign with another in another city. Has anyone done this? I talked to the PD in my matched radiology position, and he will get me out of the position, but i just wanted to know the turn around time, the process, etc from anyone who has gone thru it before. I want to get out of it ASAP so i can sign with my new radio position in my homestate. Any thoughts? you guys would be helping me out a lot with your advice.
- you just can't win!
Short story -- Your screen name is prophetic. You are in for a long, uphill battle despite the support of your two PD's, and will probably lose.
Long story:
There is only one entity that can void your match result, and that's the NRMP. Neither your matched PD, possibly new PD, Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court nor Santa Claus can get you out of your match. It really doesn't matter how much your PD's agree or disagree.
The exact rules about a match waiver can be found
here. From that website:
Following receipt of the waiver request, the NRMP will ask the requestor to confirm in writing that he/she/it wishes the NRMP to process the waiver. After receiving written confirmation, the NRMP will contact the party or parties (applicant, program director, and/or institutional official) identified in the request and any other person(s) with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the request. All parties contacted will be asked to provide the NRMP with a written statement within five business days from the date of the NRMP's request.
- All waiver requests will receive a full examination and evaluation by the NRMP. The NRMP is authorized to contact other individuals/institutions in the course of acquiring information
- Applicants shall not negotiate for appointment to or accept a position in another program prior to or during the course of a waiver review. In addition, programs shall not negotiate with or offer the position to any other candidate until either: (a) the matched applicant has informed the NRMP in writing that he/she will not accept the matched position if the NRMP denies the waiver and the program has been so notified by the NRMP; or (b) the NRMP grants the waiver.
- An applicant or program may request a waiver if he/she/it believes the fulfillment of the commitment would cause serious hardship. The burden shall be on the requestor to demonstrate serious hardship. For purposes of the waiver process, the term serious hardship means the significant adversity that honoring the match would bear upon the requestor's case.
- An applicant who matched to an advanced or fellowship position also may request a waiver if he/she has elected to change specialties, provided the waiver is requested no later than the January 15 prior to the start of training in the advanced or fellowship program.
- If at any time during the course of a waiver review the applicant or program notifies the NRMP in writing that he/she/it will not honor the match commitment if the waiver is denied, the NRMP may grant an immediate waiver to the other party.
Your situation:
1. You've already violated rule #2. You are not allowed to look for a new position before resigning from your first. Although this seems insane, it's actually logical -- it prevents people from shopping around to find a better offer post match. i.e. if MBH (
Man's Best Hospital) doesn't fill their slots and you match somewhere else, this rule prevents you from resigning your match and taking a spot there instead.
2. Rule #3 requires that there be a serious hardship. Be aware that this needs to be a new hardship. You can't say that matching in your hometown is just better for you, or that moving to a new city is a hardship unless something big, important, unpredictable, and new has occured.
3. Rule #4 is no good -- you're too late, and you're staying in the same specialty.
So:
1. The NRMP is unlikely to waive your match unless there is a new serious hardship. Despite what looks like great luck (you appear to have gotten two radiology spots, when many people beg for one) I expect you will not be able to get out of your match.
2. If the NRMP does not waive your match, your "new" program cannot take you. If they do, they are violating the match rules and will end up barred from the match.
3. Your original match is still in force, so your spot is secure. You can ask for a match waiver -- if denied, your original spot is still yours.
4. In that case, you might be able to transfer after your first year.
You might want to review the "Case Summaries" on the NRMP's site.
Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.
