Does anyone know FOR SURE if you have to register for the osteo match (even if you don't rank anything) in order to participate in the scramble? I'm planning on getting an allopathic residency but would like to reserve my right to scramble in the DO match.
I'll apologize ahead of time for my answer, but it is a direct product of the hopefully-soon-to-be-fixed-or-made-better DO residency application process.
I think you gotta register for the match in order to have access to the lists of hospitals with filled and open positions so you can know where you can scramble.
You plan on getting an allopathic residency? The MD match is a month after the DO match. I will warn you that many spots at "better" places and more competetive specialties will fill up quick within a week of the DO match. So by the time you (God forbid) find out you didn't match MD, lots of the spots are taken, BUT NOT ALL!! There may not be linked DO positions left for you to take, but maybe there will be a good handful of traditional rotating internship spots you could interview at/choose from. But I will add that I'm not discounting the fact that you may indeed match at an allo residency. I hope your board scores are good.
In other news, currently you only can apply for INTERNSHIP (linked, tracking, or TRI) on ERAS. HENCE, if you are going to do TRI, and you have to reapply for a year2 spot, you do not do so thru ERAS at this time. You pick up the phone and call the program directors and tell them you are interested, etc.
Rumor has it next year advanced spots (year 2, 3, 4, etc) will be available to be applied for on ERAS. So they are, indeed trying to get with the program.
The funny thing is is that over the next several weeks we will be in the time frame in which there will be lots of reassuring handshakes assuring a match at a program essentially voiding the need for a match at all.
I wish everyone the best of luck and lots of wisdom in their decision-making processes.