It's entitled because there's an emotional sense that this person did not deserve his fate. Whether he did or did not I'm not to judge and I don't believe the match to be perfect (or to even reflect one's abilities). But feeling like he didn't deserve to be in this particular program will yield potential issues down the road if that feeling sets in.
One month since match.... :-/
- Thread starter WEKS
- Start date
It's entitled because there's an emotional sense that this person did not deserve his fate. Whether he did or did not I'm not to judge and I don't believe the match to be perfect (or to even reflect one's abilities). But feeling like he didn't deserve to be in this particular program will yield potential issues down the road if that feeling sets in.
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2004
- Messages
- 895
- Reaction score
- 24
To the OP: You have every right to feel the way you do. You're not disappointed with your match as much as you are embarrassed that you didn't do better. For many type A people, and from your scores and your posting on SDN I'm fairly certain you are used to being top of everything, this is difficult. However, as pointed out, it is also temporary. The hardest part will be waiting to start internship. After July 1, none of this will matter.
To my SDN collegues: Presuming that the OP come across as an @sshat may be a bit premature. There are many things that contributed to people falling low on their list, including "the economy stupid." Programs don't have a lot of slots, and don't have the extra $$$ right now to make more. Furthermore, while medical school enrollment is up, residency spots have not increased.
I didn't match, however was able to scramble successfully. I found out through word of mouth that rather than interview poorly (my biggest fear), it was the fact that I really wanted to stay instate (which was true) that got me. I was told by one that while they wanted to rank me higher, it didn't sound like I would want to stay in that state, so I was lower on their list. A classmate of mine who is still looking for July employment said the same thing: unbeknownst to him, one of his LOR said he wanted to stay instate, and when asked in interviews he gave other answers, effectively coming across as a liar without his knowledge. During scramble the home PD told me and another classmate: We'd open up spots for you in an instant if we had the money.
Of course, some of this could still be that we who did not match where we hoped on 3/16/11 didn't interview well. This should be something to keep in mind as we meet our future collegues and start work. A dose of humility will go a long way come July.
Long winded, but remember this too will pass, so enjoy your last 2 months of freedom, and all the stress associated with moving to a new place!
To my SDN collegues: Presuming that the OP come across as an @sshat may be a bit premature. There are many things that contributed to people falling low on their list, including "the economy stupid." Programs don't have a lot of slots, and don't have the extra $$$ right now to make more. Furthermore, while medical school enrollment is up, residency spots have not increased.
I didn't match, however was able to scramble successfully. I found out through word of mouth that rather than interview poorly (my biggest fear), it was the fact that I really wanted to stay instate (which was true) that got me. I was told by one that while they wanted to rank me higher, it didn't sound like I would want to stay in that state, so I was lower on their list. A classmate of mine who is still looking for July employment said the same thing: unbeknownst to him, one of his LOR said he wanted to stay instate, and when asked in interviews he gave other answers, effectively coming across as a liar without his knowledge. During scramble the home PD told me and another classmate: We'd open up spots for you in an instant if we had the money.
Of course, some of this could still be that we who did not match where we hoped on 3/16/11 didn't interview well. This should be something to keep in mind as we meet our future collegues and start work. A dose of humility will go a long way come July.
Long winded, but remember this too will pass, so enjoy your last 2 months of freedom, and all the stress associated with moving to a new place!
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2003
- Messages
- 3,443
- Reaction score
- 3,086
Congratulations on scrambling successfully. Also, kudos on looking for feedback to improve future performance. It seems odd that a LOR would say you wanted to stay in-state, and you had no idea of that fact. Not impossible, but odd. I would argue that part of a successful interview is convincing your prospective employer that you want the job. An interview where you wow them with potential, but don't give good reasons for why you would want to come to that program is not a successful interview.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 0
I second this! If you gave off the impression to the place you interviewed that you ideally didn't want to be there for any reason (location, general feel, size, community and not academic) then you've done a disservice to yourself and your chances. If you'd waste all that money to apply and interview there your A game better include doing a little bit of feigned admiration for their program and what it has to offer if it's not really the ideal place for you. Just as it's an insult to you if a place invites you and then you get the vibe that they're not seriously considering you, it's an insult to them if you give the impression that you're just going there to practice or because you got an interview.
And if you tank the interview like that, you really can't complain (I'm not saying this is what the OP did) if you match below them or not at all. You might as well not even rank them, or for that matter, go on the interview.
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2010
- Messages
- 243
- Reaction score
- 0
APD, I have a question for you. I am only a second year, and all I've been doing is learning the material and focus on my relaxation. I have no drive to be a part of any extracirrcular activities nor campus club (I did do research).
Will the lack of activities impact me in anyway? In my understanding using the 5 hours a week to get that 5 more point on USMLE is more important than doing activities.
Will the lack of activities impact me in anyway? In my understanding using the 5 hours a week to get that 5 more point on USMLE is more important than doing activities.
I'm not APD, but I can tell you that having no activities would be a red flag for my selection committee. We want to recruit well rounded people who have shown an ability to manage their time by having some extra-curricular activities as well as performing well in their course work and clerkships. Your research efforts will be good, especially if accompanied by a publication/presentation--but I'd recommend finding at least one group to join or an activity you enjoy that can round out your CV.
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2010
- Messages
- 243
- Reaction score
- 0
Yes, I am referring to residency, especially if you are looking for a competitve specialty or you are not in the top third of your class. It doesn't have to be something distasteful to you or too time/labor intensive. If you want your application to stand out as being someone we want to meet, extracurriculars that show initiative or develop leadership skills will increase the likelihood of receiving an invitation. It will also give the residents and interviewers something to talk about when you get here.
You are correct that hospitals want to hire good workers, but that happens after residency (and/or fellowship) when you enter the job market. Residency programs want to hire good workers who are eager to learn and able to work well with others. A letter of recommendation may tell a PD that, but extracurriculars show it.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2005
- Messages
- 22,258
- Reaction score
- 19,540
mcl is a Program Coordinator (fellowship I think but maybe IM). You would be wise to pay attention.
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2010
- Messages
- 243
- Reaction score
- 0
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2008
- Messages
- 34,250
- Reaction score
- 917
Just join now in the specialty group of choice at your school
Partake in a few service activities now
Research helps
No reason to go overboard.... board scores are the initial screen.. to say otherwise is, quite honestly, a joke.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 5,375
- Reaction score
- 38
Well keep in mind that much like applying to med school applying to residency is a year long process. Starting an activity in August of your 4th year when applications are due in September isn't going to help much.
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2010
- Messages
- 243
- Reaction score
- 0
well, I am about 4 weeks away from the board, and third year is next year. I rather go do subI at places afterward. If I don't have anything, so be it.
FYI, I do have hobbies like hiking and such, I just find interest groups silly.
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2006
- Messages
- 10,786
- Reaction score
- 15,710
Something to round out your CV doesn't need to come from medical school. I agree that interest groups are not terribly exciting or interesting (or perhaps I just attended the wrong interest groups?). I do agree that academics eat EC's for lunch, and that sacrificing academics for EC's would be silly. But no EC's is not great. It can be anything -- volunteering with your church/religious institution, running a business on the side, being involved with a non-medical club or organization, etc. Having things like this on your CV can help in many ways, most notably it gives me an "easy" topic to discuss during your interview.
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2005
- Messages
- 22,258
- Reaction score
- 19,540
So join a hiking club and organize hikes for underprivileged kids, volunteer with a SAR group in your area, stuff like that. Something outside of school.
I also didn't join any interest groups because I thought they were dumb and I already knew what I wanted to do. But I also joined the volunteer board of directors of a dance company and that was pretty much all more than half of my residency interviewers wanted to talk about because it made me different from the hundreds of other students with good grades/letters/boards they had to interview. That's what you need.
