OK, since I like bumping up old threads, I just received the letter from the NRMP about match week schedule, which reminded me that we hear about WHETHER we matched on monday, but not where until thursday. Why is this done? Why not tell us monday? If I remember my match rules correctly, by entering the match one agrees to abide by the rules and regulations &c, part of which is that you are bound by contract to attend only the residency that you match at.
So why not freaking tell us on monday where we matched? The only possible reason I can think of is to give everyone who did not match 3 days to find a spot. Thus, when schools announce their lists on thursday, everyone can join hands and sing Hallelujah together, with Those Who Did Not Match Initially(TWDNMI) on equal standing with Those Who Matched (TWM). Relatives, interested observers, fellow classmates, foreign diplomats, existing and potential spouses/civil partners, BBC radio news, MSNBC, and New England Cable News (NECN) thus will be unable to tell the difference between TWDNMI and TWM, unless TWDNMI admit it.
So do TWM really need to wait 3 days for the simple purpose of massaging the fragile egos of TWDNMI? Ironically, TWDNMI may know sooner where they will be training, as they can find a scramble spot!! The algorithm rewards failure!
Sigh, I guess it doesn't really matter. 3 days isn't going to kill me after being in school for so long anyway. I would, however, like to know, should I turn out to be a member of TWM?
(wipes solitary salty tear from eye)
Grumble grumble grumble.
I like NECN. They usually actually cover the UMass match day. The Boston stations, as is par usual, salivate over the Harvard match and put on an interview with someone who miraculously matched into his #1 surgery program despite being blinded in an unfortunate coal-mining accident.