Request input on how to address my situation

[cormac]

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I went through the Match this past spring and matched for my preliminary year only. I going to go through the Match again this upcoming cycle. Should I address or mention my previous failure to match in dermatology in my personal statement or remain silent about it?

 

[asmallchild]

I went through the Match this past spring and matched for my preliminary year only. I going to go through the Match again this upcoming cycle. Should I address or mention my previous failure to match in dermatology in my personal statement or remain silent about it?

I would not mention it. It's something you should definitely have an answer for if/when you get asked about it during interviews but it isn't something I would advertise

 

[DermViser]

I went through the Match this past spring and matched for my preliminary year only. I going to go through the Match again this upcoming cycle. Should I address or mention my previous failure to match in dermatology in my personal statement or remain silent about it?

I would not. They'll already know based on your graduation year. Programs that don't like reapplicants won't offer you an interview anyways, which would make addressing it in your personal statement a moot point. You will most likely be asked by faculty on your interview who would want to 1) measure your dedication and 2) see if you're able to accurately strengthen the weaknesses of your application. A more important issue for you though is whether to apply in your prelim or do so after a research fellowship. This will depend on what your application looks like to date.

 

[asmallchild]

I would not. They'll already know based on your graduation year. Programs that don't like reapplicants won't offer you an interview anyways, which would make addressing it in your personal statement a moot point. You will most likely be asked by faculty on your interview who would want to 1) measure your dedication and 2) see if you're able to accurately strengthen the weaknesses of your application. A more important issue for you though is whether to apply in your prelim or do so after a research fellowship. This will depend on what your application looks like to date.

I agree, the toughest question to answer is, "What makes you a better applicant this time around?" If you were an outstanding applicant who just happened to slip through the cracks, then immediately reapplying as a prelim intern is an option. If there are serious flaws in your application package, it's worth taking the time to do something different so you can provide a substantial answer to that question.