options after failing to scramble

[khamr0n]

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I know that this post is more appropriate for the ERAS/Match forum, but I want advice that focuses specifically on this field. I did not match and am currently waiting to hear from two programs in the scramble. Obviously, it is time to start thinking about my other options. I have discussed this in detail with people who are experienced in this and I have narrowed down my options:

1) Postpone my current rotations and extend my graduation till next year- In the meantime load up on various rehab electives and try to make connections to increase my chances for next year.

2) Graduate on time, but become a "sponsored graduate"...in this case I would be unable to do any rotations through my school, but will still have it's help during the match process next year. So instead of rotations I would try to volunteer, do research, or anything else that can increase my chances of matching next year.

3) Pick up a prelim or transitional position and try to apply for the match while knocking off my internship.

I do not like option 3 because I think that the application process is tedious and hard enough as a fourth year student- it would be so much more difficult as an intern to travel for interviews, etc. Also, I would rather start my intern year and continue directly into my 2nd year without having to take a year off in between and let my clinical skills get rusty. As far as option 2 and 3- I am not sure what is best- I hope someone has experience in this and will be able to provide an objective pros vs cons discussion of both options. As far as not matching, I am ok with it- it definitely sucks, but I am young, single, and do not have any major financial obligations that I have to take care of immediately(I have good support from family). I appreciate any advice...thanks.

 

[Finally M3]

I think the very first thing you should do is contact individual programs to find out what red flags or dings you had in your application that precluded you from matching and try to correct them.

After that, I would graduate on time, find an internship, try to get an early PM&R elective and bust your butt to get a sparkling letter, and either re-apply or try to pick off a PGY2 spot. They do open up from time to time. This way, worst case, you can reapply via ERAS for the 2008 cycle.

Good luck, and hope this is redundant info and you get accepted via scramble! 👍

 

[axm397]

I think the very first thing you should do is contact individual programs to find out what red flags or dings you had in your application that precluded you from matching and try to correct them.

After that, I would graduate on time, find an internship, try to get an early PM&R elective and bust your butt to get a sparkling letter, and either re-apply or try to pick off a PGY2 spot. They do open up from time to time. This way, worst case, you can reapply via ERAS for the 2008 cycle.

Good luck, and hope this is redundant info and you get accepted via scramble! 👍

I agree with M3 - if possible, get a prelim spot near or at an institution with a PM&R residency. That way, you can make contacts, do PM&R rotations, maybe even PM&R research during your intern year and kill two-three birds w one stone. You definitely need to figure out WHY you didn't match though...

 

[Louisville04]

1) Postpone my current rotations and extend my graduation till next year- In the meantime load up on various rehab electives and try to make connections to increase my chances for next year.

I am young, single, and do not have any major financial obligations that I have to take care of immediately(I have good support from family). I appreciate any advice...thanks.

I like option 1. It is hard to scramble into a transitional position...you will most likely have to take a prelim medicine position (which is more time consuming than a transitional year). It will be hard getting time off for interviews especially if you are doing an inpatient month (the program director will probably say they will work with you..but the residents will complain if they have to cover you)

 

[DrGucciGal]

I like option 1. It is hard to scramble into a transitional position...you will most likely have to take a prelim medicine position (which is more time consuming than a transitional year). It will be hard getting time off for interviews especially if you are doing an inpatient month (the program director will probably say they will work with you..but the residents will complain if they have to cover you)

Actually the only difference between the prelim and transitional where I did my internship was that prelim had to do two critical care months (ICU and CCU) and for transitionals they just had to choose one (ICU or CCU). So no BIG difference...but it is program dependent. I found time to re-enter the match during my prelim intern year and they did work with me. So if it is meant to be...it will be.

In regards to finding out why you didn't match in the first place, usually you know why. So do some reflection and you will understand.

 

[khamr0n]

thanks for the replies...yea I def know why I didnt match- because I was a immature idiot for most of medical school and studied just enough to get through my classes...once the clinical years came around, I got excellent clerkship grades, but the shelf exams always brought my scores down...my step scores are also pretty bad...I tried to emphasize my clinical strengths in my apps, but that was not enough to counter the poor academic record...now I really need to figure out what exactly to do to help me match next year...anything specific that PM&R docs are impressed by? (research vs volunteer work vs anything else?)

 

[ivyleague22ny]

I matched into PM&R, and I think for PM&R, at least the things that PD's/interviewers seemed to notice most from my applicaiton were:
- my research experience in performing arts medicine (will present
my research at the Voice Foundation Symposium this June)
- summer fellowship experience on a medically underserved population, since PM&R deals greatly with disabled populations.
- glowing LORs (had 2 of my 4 letters were from physiatrists)
- glowing evaluations overall, esp on your PM&R rotations (did 2)

In regards to numbers, PM&R is definitely getting more competitive every year and great board scores/grades will always open many doors. However, numbers are just 1 facet and I think PM&R still looks at the individual's overall persona, to see if your experiencies, clinical/non-medical activities, and your personality reflect someone that would mesh well with the environment of rehab. And I think they just want to make sure that you really have a sincere heart for disabled patients, their chronic long-term issues, and that you're truly comfortable with the fact that you may never reach an end-point to your overall goal of maximizing your patients' function while reducing their pain.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.