Husband (significant other) matching 1 year after me; trying to get into the same IM program or city

[scurvy]

Hello everyone,

Let me get right into it, as the title of the thread suggests, my husband will be matching one year after me. I am applying to IM this upcoming cycle in 2017 and he will be applying in 2018. We are both IMGs and hoping to get into university based programs. We are both interested in Internal Medicine only. I have already taken a year off to do research, take step 3 and gather more USCE (5 months total). Our biggest concern is of course matching into the same program for IM or at least to be in the same city so that we can live together. Just hoping there is someone out there who has been in a similar situation and can offer some advice and perhaps explain what they did to make this happen. What can we do to create the highest chances of him matching to the same location or program? Are programs generally understanding when it comes to marriage and try to be accommodating? Any insight into a similar situation would mean the world to me. If there are any program directors out there who can also shed some light that would be fantastic as well.

Thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[geripalgal]

Try to match into a program in a city where there are mulitple residency programs -like ny, phili, boston, etc,so you have lots ofback up options. once you start your program inform your program director of your husbands need and see if you can arrange some type of elective/observership type thing at your program. Be sure to make him come to all the events and introduce him to the program admin etc so they become familiar with him. They might offer a courtesy interview. Hopefully he is a good candidate (scores, references etc).

Hello everyone,

Let me get right into it, as the title of the thread suggests, my husband will be matching one year after me. I am applying to IM this upcoming cycle in 2017 and he will be applying in 2018. We are both IMGs and hoping to get into university based programs. We are both interested in Internal Medicine only. I have already taken a year off to do research, take step 3 and gather more USCE (5 months total). Our biggest concern is of course matching into the same program for IM or at least to be in the same city so that we can live together. Just hoping there is someone out there who has been in a similar situation and can offer some advice and perhaps explain what they did to make this happen. What can we do to create the highest chances of him matching to the same location or program? Are programs generally understanding when it comes to marriage and try to be accommodating? Any insight into a similar situation would mean the world to me. If there are any program directors out there who can also shed some light that would be fantastic as well.

Thank you!

y

 

[gutonc]

Are you familiar with the phrase "beggars can't be choosers"? If not, get used to it.

IMGs, one with an extra year off after graduation (but you made a ver good decision on using that time wisely), trying to match in the same University IM program one year apart, are going to have a tough (but not impossible) time of it.

As above, you should aim for programs in big cities with lots of residency programs...NYC, Boston, Philly, Chicago, LA, SF Bay Area, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore/DC. Once you match, you need to be the best resident in your class, and talk with your PD on day 1 about your husband (not really day 1, but sooner rather than later). Get him to do away rotations at your program, and others in the same city.

Cross your fingers.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Agree with all of the advice above. I would add that matching into the same program really depends upon how competitive the two of you are. If he's less competitive (i.e. lower USMLE's, less USCE, etc) then you may need to focus on "same city" rather than "same program". Also, it depends upon the size of the program. In small programs it can be difficult to have a couple at two different levels -- as you should never supervise your husband.