re-applying question for Aprogramdirector

[andrew70912]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am re-applying this year. Last year I matched at both a preliminary medicine program (starting from 2009) and an advanced program (starting from 2010). Now I'm quitting from the preliminary medicine program after 3 months service. My waive request (to release me from the contract with the advanced program) was already approved by NRMP, which means I have no problem participating match again this year. I'm planning to apply for the same specialty of last year. My question is, can the programs I am applying to this year find out I was already matched at an advanced program last year? Thanks!

 

[Taurus]

Why did you quit the prelim program?

 

[Ludicolo]

I am re-applying this year. Last year I matched at both a preliminary medicine program (starting from 2009) and an advanced program (starting from 2010). Now I'm quitting from the preliminary medicine program after 3 months service. My waive request (to release me from the contract with the advanced program) was already approved by NRMP, which means I have no problem participating match again this year. I'm planning to apply for the same specialty of last year. My question is, can the programs I am applying to this year find out I was already matched at an advanced program last year? Thanks!

Yes. Programs can search and determine if someone has any previous matches, or any prior match waivers or violations.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Agreed. We can search for prior matches, and it will also show that your match has been waived. Whether PD's will care about this is unclear. You're not violating the match, so that's not an issue. It does perhaps make you look unreliable -- what's to say you won't bail on me like you did your last program?

I am presuming you actually received a "hardship waiver". Anyone can request a waiver for an advanced program, as long as it is requested before mid-Jan and you have changed your mind regarding specialties. If you requested a waiver due to interest in changing specialties, and now you are looking at the same specialty again, you could get in trouble.

 

[andrew70912]

aProgDirector, Thanks very much for answering the question! but I'm confused by the term "hardship waiver". could you explain further? and from your point of view, and how can I overcome the perception of being "unreliable"? I know it is a hard question, however, any input will be appreciated!

Agreed. We can search for prior matches, and it will also show that your match has been waived. Whether PD's will care about this is unclear. You're not violating the match, so that's not an issue. It does perhaps make you look unreliable -- what's to say you won't bail on me like you did your last program?

I am presuming you actually received a "hardship waiver". Anyone can request a waiver for an advanced program, as long as it is requested before mid-Jan and you have changed your mind regarding specialties. If you requested a waiver due to interest in changing specialties, and now you are looking at the same specialty again, you could get in trouble.

 

[Ludicolo]

...I'm confused by the term "hardship waiver". could you explain further? and from your point of view, and how can I overcome the perception of being "unreliable"? I know it is a hard question, however, any input will be appreciated!

From the NRMP:

An applicant or program may request a waiver if he/she/it believes the fulfillment of the commitment to the results of the Matching Program would cause serious and extreme hardship. The burden shall be on the requestor to demonstrate serious and extreme hardship. For purposes of the waiver process, the term serious and extreme hardship means the significant adversity that honoring the match would bear upon the requestor's case.

An applicant who matched to an advanced or fellowship position also may request a waiver if he/she has elected to change specialties, provided the waiver is requested no later than the January 15 prior to the start of training in the advanced or fellowship program.

What did you tell the NRMP in order to grant you a waiver? If you are leaving for hardship reasons – personal illness, family crisis, or maybe a malignant prelim program so bad that you couldn’t possibly gut it out for a year (?) – then obviously you can’t fulfill your match obligation to the advanced program. Hence the hardship waiver.

This is in contrast to the other type of waiver advanced programs usually see – that of someone wanting to switch specialties during their internship year. If you told the NRMP that you want a waiver because you want to switch specialties – and then end up applying to other programs in the same specialty – that wouldn’t be kosher. And you might get flagged.

To overcome looking unreliable – guess it depends on the reason why you’re leaving the prelim program, and how you explain it to other programs. Unless there is a true hardship, most residents can gut out one year of anything.

Have you discussed the situation with the advanced program you originally matched with? Perhaps they would be willing to hold a spot for you?