Scramble

[stina2010]

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Maybe it is a little early to be thinking about this, but I just want to be prepared. Does anyone know how hard it is to scramble into Peds? I didn't get many interview offers and I am a FMG, so the likelihood of having to scramble is great. I just don't know if I will even have a chance or if I should try out research for a year and re-apply. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[twilightdoc]

Maybe it is a little early to be thinking about this, but I just want to be prepared. Does anyone know how hard it is to scramble into Peds? I didn't get many interview offers and I am a FMG, so the likelihood of having to scramble is great. I just don't know if I will even have a chance or if I should try out research for a year and re-apply. Any advice would be appreciated.

Over the past several years, there have been relatively few Pediatrics residency slots that went unfilled on the Match, implying that "the scramble" can be difficult. Having said that, there are usually over 100 spots open nationally, some in good programs that didn't fill for reasons that don't necessarily reflect on the quality of that residency. If you haven't gotten many interview offers, you may want to contact additional programs (it isn't too late for some). And you should get your information ready to share, in the event that you do end up in "the scramble".

If you don't get a residency spot, either through the match or the scramble, and still want to pursue Pediatrics, you should talk with an advisor who might be able to help you figure out what to do to enhance your chances next year. Taking some time to do research might be helpful, but that depends in part on the project and how productive (and lucky) you are. And you should also reassess your strategy from this year- what could you have done differently or better to improve your chances.

And if it is more a matter of getting into any residency program (not just Pediatrics), there are areas such as family medicine where there are plenty of spots open after the initial match.