LORs and EFDO

[BabyDoctor1981]

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Hi everybody,

For personal reasons, I thought I wasn't applying to FELLOWSHIPS this year, but now circumstances have changed and I decided I will scramble after the match. This specialty, Pediatric Critical Care, is something I've wanted to do for a long time and am definitely going to try again next year if this year doesn't pan out.

1. My first question is--when I scramble, do I generally have to provide paperwork to the fellowship program or do I submit my ERAS to them? If I have to give them my hardcopies, how can I get LORs to them since I waive the right to see them and they get sent to the EFDO?

2. If the scramble doesn't work out for me this year, I am planning to apply next year in a timely manner like everyone else. I called EFDO and they said that they destroy all paperwork sent to them after match season ends. So if my letter writers send in their letters to the EFDO this year, and the scramble doesn't work out for me, should I ask them next year to re-send the same letters? Or should I ask them for sealed hardcopies and send them to the EFDO next year myself?

Thanks so much for anyone who can provide some answers/opinions.

I originally posted this in the Match/NRMP forum, but they told me I should post this in the specialty forum instead.

 

[michigangirl]

I don't know the answer to your first question re: scramble into picu fellowship programs-- ERAS should have that info, I will ask our fellowship director and try to get back to you.

In terms of the second question, if the scramble doesn't work, then have your letters updated with any pertinent info and resent to the EFDO-- you will be applying to a much different group of programs than in the scramble.

I do want to ask you-- is it worth scrambling into a program that didn't fill when you could possibly go to the perfect program for you? I don't know anything about the strength of your application but if you delayed application for personal reasons and have a strong app, then I encourage you to wait a year, work in general peds/ER/urgent care/research something else for a year and apply with everyone. I don't know about the caliber of picu programs that end up not filling, but I know that most of the "top" programs will likely fill with no problem. So don't shortchange yourself because you're in a hurry, unless your application is below average or there are red flags. Good luck.