To all those reapplying after traditional (nonmatched) internship

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jakstat

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So this is my issue right now. I had went unmatched last cycle and scrambled for a traditional nonmatched internship. I'm curious to hear from those going through the same situation right now.

I dont really know what to expect this time around. Should I look for unfilled programs? Look at places I rotated at? Pursue my original goal in a competitive field or something like IM?
 
Do you know why you didn't match? (Did you apply to enough programs? Was there something wrong with your application?) That will affect whether it's worth trying to get in a competitive field still.
 
it would help to know if you are DO or MD. Sounds like that is a DO match and position you are talking about?
 
A bunch of upstanding SDN posters asked you some questions which would be very helpful for answering your inquiry.

Review of your old posts shows that:
1) you've graduated from a US DO school;
2) COMLEX 1 failed once, then "just passed by a few points". Also failed USMLE Step 1.
3) COMLEX 2 CE, failed twice, passed the 3rd time with a 450.
4) COMLEX PE failed once, then passed
5) Graduation delayed due to COMLEX issues
6) Has mentioned interest in Neurosurgery and Gen Surg, but has been concerned about competitiveness for these fields
7) "failed to match" -- but hard to know what that means, as it's not clear that you were able to participate in the match (due to delayed graduation), or what fields you applied to, how many interviews, etc.
8) Now in an internship, probably an osteopathic TRI

If any of that is incorrect, my apoligies, and please update us. Assuming that's accurate:

1) Your chance of getting anything allopathic is zero, so you'll need to focus on osteopathic programs.
2) Your chance of getting Neurosurgery is zero.
3) Your chance of getting General Surgery is also very close to zero. In addition, allopathic Gen Surg has an exam every year (called the ABSITE) which is (by report) a nightmare. If you fail it, once, you're fired. No second chances. I don't know if osteo programs have this also. If so, you're best choosing another career.
4) You have a real risk of ending up not completing any residency if you're not careful. Your goal should be to get into a categorical program this cycle, so that you can complete training and be board eligible. As you get farther and farther from your graduation, you'll find it more difficult to get any training.
5) The best way to do that is to focus on osteopathic primary care programs, both FM and IM, as a realistic goal. GS is probably not going to happen, UNLESS the GS program at your current institution (assuming there is one) gets to know you and is willing to take you (with the warnings about the ITE above).
6) Your best shot is probably at the program where you are already. They know you, and might be willing to look beyond your COMLEX problems. You should be working as hard as you possibly can, being as helpful as you can, and try to convince them to take you for the rest of your training.
7) It would probably be best to apply in the DO match this year for OGME-1 positions again, in FP (or perhaps IM). I don't really know enough about the DO system to know how realistic that is (i.e. whether programs will take you as an OGME-1 even though you completed a TRI). Also, this gets your app out there, and any program with an open OGME-2 spot might decide to offer you a second year position. The PD at your current program should know, which brings me to the next point....
8) Your best help in this matter is probably your current PD. If a position at that institution is not possible / offered, they might be able to help guide you as to how to apply for OGME-1 or OGME-2 spots.
 
Thanks for the advice. You answered my question very succintly. Yes I graduated from a DO schol. I dont believe there are many students in my position. My one problem right now is I have not started my traditional internship yet (I start in Oct). So when I apply to the IM program where I am, they will just be getting to know me. I guess this is my best shot given how screwed up my application is right now.

As for my evaluations. They have always been very favorable and I have obtained great LORs from both DO, MDs.
 
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