I regret to inform you...

[EMDrMoe]

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Ok, I'm new to this match thing (I put this in the EM forum b/c we're only applying to EM programs), but didn't think I'd receive a letter like this:

"I regret to inform you that you did not make our rank list for the 2006 entering resident class." blah blah blah...

My husband got one, too, from the same program. That was the only one we got, thank goodness!

I was under the impression that the interviewees who aren't ranked at all are the ax murderers and such, which really freaks me out. So, we had to redo our ROL today when I thought it was done and take off the ranks that have them in it.

On the flip side, there was a program that we didn't rank because we don't think we'd fit in there very well. I would NEVER think to write to them and say "I'm sorry, but I decided to not rank your program." The match takes care of that and we simply don't match there b/c they weren't on our lists.

Could this have occurred b/c of a student who matched there from my school and then left or am I just looking for a reason that doesn't involve something I/we did?

This letter just doesn't sit well. I'm wondering (1) what we did wrong and (2) what the other programs on the ROL think about us!

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[corpsmanUP]

Ok, I'm new to this match thing (I put this in the EM forum b/c we're only applying to EM programs), but didn't think I'd receive a letter like this:

"I regret to inform you that you did not make our rank list for the 2006 entering resident class." blah blah blah...

My husband got one, too, from the same program. That was the only one we got, thank goodness!

I was under the impression that the interviewees who aren't ranked at all are the ax murderers and such, which really freaks me out. So, we had to redo our ROL today when I thought it was done and take off the ranks that have them in it.

On the flip side, there was a program that we didn't rank because we don't think we'd fit in there very well. I would NEVER think to write to them and say "I'm sorry, but I decided to not rank your program." The match takes care of that and we simply don't match there b/c they weren't on our lists.

Could this have occurred b/c of a student who matched there from my school and then left or am I just looking for a reason that doesn't involve something I/we did?

This letter just doesn't sit well. I'm wondering (1) what we did wrong and (2) what the other programs on the ROL think about us!

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

I truly believe that this would be a good protocol to adhere to if EVERY program did such. It would let you know that you don't need to invest any more time in researching the area and program there and let you focus your efforts other places. The problem is that not every program does this, and thus it only serves to be stressful. I am very sorry you got this letter. Something tells me they were actually trying to help you guys since they know you are couples matching. Who really knows though?

 

[NinerNiner999]

I assume you and your husband are applying for the couples match? If this is the case, the letter may stem from that (some places don't like to take up two spots). Either way, I would take the letter as a good thing - since you have been able to reorganize your ROL and improve your chances in the match. I would think that both of you are competitive to match and, assuming every program knows your intentions and you have collectively ranked 10-20 programs, you will be fine.

I have never heard of a program informing applicants that they have not been ranked. This is unorthodox and may apply only to couples match? This may also be a violation of the match (programs cannot tell applicants where they are being ranked). Have you called the program to confirm?

 

[EMDrMoe]

Corpsman - THANK YOU so much for the apology. I just feel like I'm stressed to begin with and don't know how to deal with it.

I have never heard of a program informing applicants that they have not been ranked. This is unorthodox and may apply only to couples match? This may also be a violation of the match (programs cannot tell applicants where they are being ranked). Have you called the program to confirm?

Hi Niner,
I doubt that it was the couples match, b/c we were mailed individual letters, not one letter to both of us. I could definitely understand not wanting to take a couple - that was a fear of ours from the beginning. The letters are hand signed by the PD, so I won't call to confirm - they're real alright.

That change alone brings our list down to 9 from 12 ranks. I wasn't too worried before now, but am currently wondering what the others think...

Thanks for your help, guys!

 

[missdr]

i don't think this is a match violation as they CAN tell you where you are on the list, they just can't ASK you where you placed them and vice versa... sorry about the letter EMDrMoe but I think they were only trying to help you because of the couples match, and it likely has something to do with the fact that you are couples matching and not anything that either of you did

 

[EMDrMoe]

i don't think this is a match violation as they CAN tell you where you are on the list, they just can't ASK you where you placed them and vice versa... sorry about the letter EMDrMoe but I think they were only trying to help you because of the couples match, and it likely has something to do with the fact that you are couples matching and not anything that either of you did

Thank you! So, it was pretty much getting married that got me in trouble 😉
Let's just hope that the number we have now will be enough. Nothing to be done but hope and pray!

 

[FoughtFyr]

I doubt that it was the couples match, b/c we were mailed individual letters, not one letter to both of us.

See, I disagree. Given two suppositions: first, that such a letter would make a HUGE difference when two people are couples matching in different specialties (correct me if I am wrong but isn't the couples' match list sort of an "if... then..." kind of thing). Second, because of the above it may be a policy to notify those whose couples' match needs can't be accommodated - and the policy is just being adhered to in the setting of the two of you applying to the same program. Maybe BKN could shed some light on this, but I was under the impression that couples' matches were a little bit "hand carried" through the process, and that might account for this.

BTW - I'm sure it has less to do with either of you personally and more to do with what might be perceived as a challenge for some programs (e.g., two spouses in the same class, same program). Question, without revealing where this was, how big is each class? It might create a weird dynamic for the program if 1/3 the class is from the same household (just thinking out loud - I have no real or actual information about the couples' match process at any institution including mine!)

BTW2 - Sorry this happened! Like you really need anymore stress right now... 🙁

- H

 

[DocBrown]

I was under the impression that if a program interviews you, they HAVE to rank you. Wrong?

 

[JackBauERfan]

I was under the impression that if a program interviews you, they HAVE to rank you. Wrong?

I am pretty sure they do not have too. What if you invite someone and they have a pink mohawk....

Just like you, they don't have to rank, but I think most do because they called you for an interview because they liked you for some reason.

 

[DrMom]

I was under the impression that if a program interviews you, they HAVE to rank you. Wrong?

They don't have to rank everyone they interview, just like we don't have to rank every program we interview at.

 

[BKN]

See, I disagree. Given two suppositions: first, that such a letter would make a HUGE difference when two people are couples matching in different specialties (correct me if I am wrong but isn't the couples' match list sort of an "if... then..." kind of thing). Second, because of the above it may be a policy to notify those whose couples' match needs can't be accommodated - and the policy is just being adhered to in the setting of the two of you applying to the same program. Maybe BKN could shed some light on this, but I was under the impression that couples' matches were a little bit "hand carried" through the process, and that might account for this.

BTW - I'm sure it has less to do with either of you personally and more to do with what might be perceived as a challenge for some programs (e.g., two spouses in the same class, same program). Question, without revealing where this was, how big is each class? It might create a weird dynamic for the program if 1/3 the class is from the same household (just thinking out loud - I have no real or actual information about the couples' match process at any institution including mine!)

BTW2 - Sorry this happened! Like you really need anymore stress right now... 🙁

- H

First to OP, sorry that happened. I suspect it was because they understood you have speical problems and wanted you to be able to pursue a couples match successfully. The part I don't understand is how they would think telling you would help you.

DocBrown, we certainly don't have to rank you. In fact, at our place we think the whole interview process is to figure out which of the many candidates who look wonderful on paper would be agony to live with.

To FF, I can't shed much light because I don't know what the residency might be thinking. i don't think I've ever had to deal with a couples match problem, which is kind of weird given how long I've been doing this. I have had a faculty member (former resident) whose spouse then did the reisdency. Some of the faculty were a little concerned. Not too many problems with that, in fact it went wonderfully. You're right FF, there may have been concerns about weird dynamics, call schedule etc. But if there were they probably shouldn't have offered the interviews.

 

[EMDrMoe]

See, I disagree. Given two suppositions: first, that such a letter would make a HUGE difference when two people are couples matching in different specialties (correct me if I am wrong but isn't the couples' match list sort of an "if... then..." kind of thing). Second, because of the above it may be a policy to notify those whose couples' match needs can't be accommodated - and the policy is just being adhered to in the setting of the two of you applying to the same program. Maybe BKN could shed some light on this, but I was under the impression that couples' matches were a little bit "hand carried" through the process, and that might account for this.

just thinking out loud

- H

Thanks for thinking out loud; I like the train of thought. My interpretation of the couples match is that it's the same as the regular match, with a contingent of the other person matching in the same rank number. If it doesn't work for one partner in that number, they both try again at the next number.

I agree with the fact of a program not wanting a couple - that's their prerogative, but I just wish they would have either (1) not interviewed us in the first place or (2) told us while we could still get more interviews. Not necessarily for one program sending this letter, but what if more programs think the same thing?

We had 3 programs say specifically that they would see no problem in taking a couple and 2 more that implied it, I think.

This program has a smaller class of 6-8, depending on the year. So, if we didn't really "click" either way, we wouldn't be worth ranking.

Thanks again for understanding my stress level!

 

[EMDrMoe]

there may have been concerns about weird dynamics, call schedule etc. But if there were they probably shouldn't have offered the interviews.

Thanks BKN! The odd thing about that is we specifically don't want things together all the time (unlike the other 2 married couples in our class), just the opposite. We worked together for 5 years at a sports med clinic after grad school (together) and no one knew we were dating until we announced our engagement 😱 So, I agree that it was probably an issue, because it did come up as a question in a lot of interviews. I also agree with you, though, that if it was going to present that much of a problem to throw us out altogether even if the interview went alright, they shouldn't have offered in the first place. Maybe they expected something different? Maybe they wanted a couple who wanted all the same rotations 😉

I'm feeling SO MUCH better about this. I know what my gut tells me about the top programs on our list - this one was just a little surprise.

 

[colforbinMD]

Hey DRMOE and Mrs DRMOE.
I don't have much more to add to this thread but I did want to say I am sorry this happened but keep the faith!!!! 9 is still a good number to go into match day with and maybe just maybe by taking this program off your match list it might make the right karmic move that balances this whole wacky match equation to land you both somewhere you will truly love. 😀

 

[endo]

I don't think removing that program from your list changes your chances anywhere else. If you look at the algorithm it doesn't matter that the program is listed on your ROL if the program doesn't rank you.

-endo

 

[EMDrMoe]

I don't think removing that program from your list changes your chances anywhere else. If you look at the algorithm it doesn't matter that the program is listed on your ROL if the program doesn't rank you.

-endo

Just a little freaked out that it might be too few programs - but I'm all for the karma & planetary alignment theory! 🙂

 

[colforbinMD]

I don't think removing that program from your list changes your chances anywhere else. If you look at the algorithm it doesn't matter that the program is listed on your ROL if the program doesn't rank you.

-endo

Well I tried.

 

[USMan22]

Ok, I'm new to this match thing (I put this in the EM forum b/c we're only applying to EM programs), but didn't think I'd receive a letter like this:

"I regret to inform you that you did not make our rank list for the 2006 entering resident class." blah blah blah...

My husband got one, too, from the same program. That was the only one we got, thank goodness!

I was under the impression that the interviewees who aren't ranked at all are the ax murderers and such, which really freaks me out. So, we had to redo our ROL today when I thought it was done and take off the ranks that have them in it.

On the flip side, there was a program that we didn't rank because we don't think we'd fit in there very well. I would NEVER think to write to them and say "I'm sorry, but I decided to not rank your program." The match takes care of that and we simply don't match there b/c they weren't on our lists.

Could this have occurred b/c of a student who matched there from my school and then left or am I just looking for a reason that doesn't involve something I/we did?

This letter just doesn't sit well. I'm wondering (1) what we did wrong and (2) what the other programs on the ROL think about us!

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

I didnt read all the other postings but, are you trying to couples match? Soorry if someone asked you this already?

 

[southerndoc]

DocBrown, we certainly don't have to rank you. In fact, at our place we think the whole interview process is to figure out which of the many candidates who look wonderful on paper would be agony to live with.

We call it the elevator test. Could you stand being trapped in an elevator with the candidate for 4 hours without wanting to shoot yourself?

 

[DrQuinn]

Just a little freaked out that it might be too few programs - but I'm all for the karma & planetary alignment theory! 🙂

I wouldn't worry about a thing. I do know that some PD's have some "sympathy" towards couples that go through the match... part of it may be politicking, i.e. if the peds residency REALLY wants the Mrs, they'll let the EM progrma know (where the Mr. is applying). More to just hold hands with the other program... i'll scratch your back sort of thing.

And don't worry about removing one program from your ROL... it sounds like you have plenty of interviews and are atleast well spoken. I truly believe you are worrying over nothing! I bet when the match day comes along, you rank at your #1 and you'll realize how silly you are. (that's usually how things happen here on SDN).

Q