Help!

[Mental]

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Hi Everyone,

I've found myself in a bit of a pinch and am hoping to receive some advice. I was only interviewed at one program. The interview went well and I know some of the people there but had trouble with my boards. Those I know have offered to help but also mentioned that there are lots of "Competitive Applicants" this year. I really need to know where I am going to be on their ROL as I will have to pay for a scramble service in the near future. (Also I'm losing my mind with worry). They have 12 spots on their quota and interviewed a little over 80 people. Any suggestions on how to find out where I am on the list? Once I find out where I am, where would I have to be in order to feel like I have a shot? Any info anyone would be willing to offer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[ZekeMD]

Hi Everyone,

I've found myself in a bit of a pinch and am hoping to receive some advice. I was only interviewed at one program. The interview went well and I know some of the people there but had trouble with my boards. Those I know have offered to help but also mentioned that there are lots of "Competitive Applicants" this year. I really need to know where I am going to be on their ROL as I will have to pay for a scramble service in the near future. (Also I'm losing my mind with worry). They have 12 spots on their quota and interviewed a little over 80 people. Any suggestions on how to find out where I am on the list? Once I find out where I am, where would I have to be in order to feel like I have a shot? Any info anyone would be willing to offer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Chances are you won't be able to find out where you are on their list. It is a violation of the match for them to tell you. For this reason, programs carefully dance around the subject. If I was in your situation I would rank that program, but prepare for the worst. I would be prepared to scramble. If you match, great! But if not, you'll be ready.

I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

 

[CrazyPeds527]

Wanted to mention a couple of things:

There are many posts on the ERAS/Match board about scramble services being a significant waste of money given that all they do is fax your app and that most programs simply dont use the fax during scramble day. The only thing they pay attention to are ERAS files that come their way. I would read these before you pay big $$$ for a scramble service.

Also, last year there were a good grouping of peds spots that didn't fill, check out this data from the NRMP:
http://www.nrmp.org/data/programresults2003-2007.pdf
If you see each pediatric program, those that didn't have a matched number of "quota" vs "matched" are the positions that were opened in the scramble; i.e. on page 2 for South Alabama, they had 1 pediatric scramble position (filled 8 of 9)

Lastly, do not ask for your position on the match list, it is an NRMP violation to do so, and you may be kept from participating in any NRMP activities.

Best of luck, maybe this will all be a moot point and you will match!
Good luck
~Crazy

 

[Caddie]

I don't think it is a violation for the programs to tell an applicant where they are on the list. But, it IS a violation for you to ASK them where you are ranked as CrazyPeds said. Is this correct? Anyone know for sure??

Chances are you won't be able to find out where you are on their list. It is a violation of the match for them to tell you. For this reason, programs carefully dance around the subject. If I was in your situation I would rank that program, but prepare for the worst. I would be prepared to scramble. If you match, great! But if not, you'll be ready.

I hope everything works out for you. Good luck.

 

[bjolly]

that is correct. It is a match violation to ask where a program is ranking you, but they are allowed to volunteer the info. Similarly, you can tell a program where you're ranking them but they can't ask.

 

[ZekeMD]

I don't think it is a violation for the programs to tell an applicant where they are on the list. But, it IS a violation for you to ASK them where you are ranked as CrazyPeds said. Is this correct? Anyone know for sure??

I stand corrected. That is even more important for the OP to know however.

 

[kgal1]

rank the program
but assume you will have to scramble
so you can save up money and not be screwed if march comes around and you do not match, and end up having no finances to scramble

it wouldnt hurt to be super cautious

but always hope for the best!