Married as MS3 and MS4

[evansh]

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I'm asking this question a little ahead of time, but it's entirely relevant to my school decision. Is there any way for a married MS3/MS4 to couple's match, or try to at least end up in the same city? or is it a total crapshoot?

The reason I'm asking now is because I'm a dual-degree applicant who has offers from one 4-year and one 5-year program. The 5-year program is near my family, so the upside is that I'd be only 1.5-2 hours from them over the next few years. However that'll put me a year behind my wife, who will also be an MS1 next fall, and so will graduate from her 4-year MD-only a year ahead of me. I'm worried that if we can't do a couples match, years from now I may end up a long way away from my family for a very long time.

The 4-year program will put me nowhere nearby for the next 4 years (Columbus to Boston), but then we'll graduate at the same time and have an option to do a couple's match.

TL;DR: How would a married couple who graduate med school a year apart try to end up near each other? Anything better than just crossing our fingers?

 

[22031 Alum]

You can't couples match if you're in different match years. The person who is one year ahead would need to do a one-year program, like research or an MPH. Then the spouse would "catch up," you'd be in the same class and could couples match.

 

[evansh]

You can't couples match if you're in different match years. The person who is one year ahead would need to do a one-year program, like research or an MPH. Then the spouse would "catch up," you'd be in the same class and could couples match.

Thanks for your answer, and I figured as much. And because I obviously don't have any experience with residency applications, is it a total gamble to just try and match nearby a year later?

 

[mikil100]

Thanks for your answer, and I figured as much. And because I obviously don't have any experience with residency applications, is it a total gamble to just try and match nearby a year later?

Not that I'm qualified either, but you have to consider the gamble. It's at the very minimum three years apart from your wife. I would do absolutely whatever necessary to avoid this conundrum if you can.

 

[22031 Alum]

Well, couple's matching allows you both to be flexible. That is, neither of you are "stuck" at a place, and can create a rank list with many more permutations that keep you together. I've known couples with rank lists going into the 100s. Once one of you is already a resident, that limits the other's options.

 

[evansh]

Alright. And from what I've heard it's a pretty bad call to take a year off between MD graduation and residency, correct?

 

[22031 Alum]

Alright. And from what I've heard it's a pretty bad call to take a year off between MD graduation and residency, correct?

Yes. If given the choice, it's better to delay graduation and apply as a graduating student. Don't underestimate how extremely common it is for medical students to take an extra year. ESPECIALLY for your specific reason- allowing a significant other to catch up. It's not just the ones who applied to 5-year programs from the start- lots of schools will facilitate a research year or something similar.

 

[mimelim]

It is not unheard of for programs to 'help' their resident's spouses. For example, when we found out that one of our top choices was couple's matching, we made sure that their spouse was being interviewed by another specialty at our hospital. (which they were already) I don't think that we would really do a whole ton more than that, but when programs in our specialty only have 1 or 2 residents per year, getting the 'right' people is really important. I've also heard about chairmen/program directors calling on resident's behalf to make sure that local programs will look at spouses closely if they are a year or two behind. Residents tend to do better when their family is local...

As with everything, it depends on the specialty and more importantly on the program. All of that having been said...

By far the best solution is to couples match. It is designed to maximize your options as a couple. If being in the same city as someone post-medical school is a priority, then it is the best way to get that outcome.

 

[Ismet]

I know a few couples who are different match years, and it's very stressful. The one matching first tries to match in big cities with multiple programs so that their SO has a better shot of matching in the same city/area. Then of course they'll be apart for a year. The best solution would be for your wife to take a research year and then you can couples match. Living in different cities for med school would probably be less ideal, but I know several people who do that as well and make it work.