I am so boned, what to do if I don't match

[Cerberus]

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The interviews haven't been coming like I'd hoped. I thought I was a decent applicant but I guess not. Anyhow, I am sitting on 3 interviews now and the it's already a week into November. What do I do if I don't match? I don't really want to scramble into an IM program in BFE. What kind of options do I have regarding taking a year off to reapply? Anybody else been in this situation?

 

[southerndoc]

I think most programs wait until after the MSPE arrives before giving interviews.

 

[Cerberus]

I think most programs wait until after the MSPE arrives before giving interviews.

MSPE arrived on Nov 1st, hence my freaking out now.

 

[SoCuteMD]

Have the places that you are waiting on offered interviews to other people?

 

[Cerberus]

Have the places that you are waiting on offered interviews to other people?

According to the interview thread, yes.

 

[SoCuteMD]

How many programs did you apply to? Did you make sure to spread out your apps between less competitive and more competitive programs (not that there is any definitive list, but certain programs seem to come up over and over again).

 

[GeneralVeers]

The interviews haven't been coming like I'd hoped. I thought I was a decent applicant but I guess not. Anyhow, I am sitting on 3 interviews now and the it's already a week into November. What do I do if I don't match? I don't really want to scramble into an IM program in BFE. What kind of options do I have regarding taking a year off to reapply? Anybody else been in this situation?

Your best bet is a transitional year, or preliminary medicine position. This will keep your options open (as far as funding) until the next year when you can re-apply. I would not advise taking a year off from medicine completely.

 

[Cerberus]

How many programs did you apply to? Did you make sure to spread out your apps between less competitive and more competitive programs (not that there is any definitive list, but certain programs seem to come up over and over again).

I probably stacked a little too heavily towards competitive programs but I did include some lesser competitive programs, which is where my few interviews have come from.

 

[Flopotomist]

check this out

http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf

With only 3 interviews, you still have a ~2/3 shot at matching. Not the BEST odds, but might give you a bit of hope.

 

[SoCuteMD]

While I certainly wouldn't pull the plug on this application season yet, I do think it's perplexing that you have 3 interviews. Have you heard from the places you rotated?

Looking at my email it looks like the interview invites tapered off after this upcoming week. Do you have a faculty mentor at school that you could sit down and talk with - who could maybe either make some calls on your behalf or ask the PD at your home program to do so? Did you find a mentor amongst any of the faculty at the places you did your aways who might be willing to do the same?

 

[southerndoc]

MSPE was released on 1 November, but it doesn't mean a program has reviewed it.

 

[peppy]

The interview season is certainly not over yet. If I were you, I'd apply to a ton of additional less competitive programs. Even if they have filled their interview slots for right now, there will most likely be cancellations as the seasons goes on and then you'll get more offers if you do more applications now.
Best of luck to you!

 

[tkim]

I probably stacked a little too heavily towards competitive programs but I did include some lesser competitive programs, which is where my few interviews have come from.

Apply broadly. Now.

 

[deleted109597]

Get someone there to give people a call. Spread the wealth of apps.

 

[pratik7]

i was in your situation last year. By this time of year i had 5 or so invites. I emailed a few places with a new step 2 score and got lots more invites. I also applied to a few more less competitive places in michigan and ohio and got a few more interviews. They were very good programs just in a not so hot location Total of 15 ish interviews. Is here a reason why you think you are not hearing from places? step score, EM grades, LOR ect?

 

[Cerberus]

i was in your situation last year. By this time of year i had 5 or so invites. I emailed a few places with a new step 2 score and got lots more invites. I also applied to a few more less competitive places in michigan and ohio and got a few more interviews. They were very good programs just in a not so hot location Total of 15 ish interviews. Is here a reason why you think you are not hearing from places? step score, EM grades, LOR ect?

I honestly don't know why I am not getting more love. I got a >245 Step I score and A's on both my EM rotations. There might be something in my letters, I just don't know what, or why.

 

[Flopotomist]

I wonder how many applicants already have their magic 10 interiews already. I only have 5 so far, and wasn't planning on changing my strategy until after next week - some programs have offered NO interviews yet (eg Emory, Stanford) so I figured I would be a bit more patient. Good Luck!

 

[tkim]

I honestly don't know why I am not getting more love. I got a >245 Step I score and A's on both my EM rotations. There might be something in my letters, I just don't know what, or why.

It's where you applied, or more importantly, where you *didn't*. Has nothing to do with your package. Gotta go beyond the West coast, cuz.

 

[oxytocin]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I'm wondering where are these less competitive EM programs that you are referring to?

 

[Snelgrave]

Like pratik7, I was in a similar boat last year and had to apply to several more programs, but I managed to obtain enough interviews (even turned down a few).


Ultimately, you need to ask - would I rather go to a less desirable program/location or not match into EM this year.

I would apply to several more programs because many have Nov 30 deadlines. What sucks is that you've missed some application deadlines for several programs already, but oh well. I would also start calling programs you haven't heard from yet. Yes, you may wind up with 20+ interview offers and feel silly for panicking, but it's better than not matching. Cast your net wide.

If you wind up doing prelim year/transition, and your institution has an EM residency, keep a close tabs on the PGY-1 class to see if anyone drops out. It happens, and you can be first in line for the open slot.

Good luck!