To scramble or not scramble?

[Medstudent2010]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

The reason I am asking this question is that out of the + 100 peds residencies that I applied too I have only been able to receive interviews at three programs all of which are MD programs. So far I have not received any interviews offers at any of the AOA peds programs. I won't go into details but my application was not the strongest which is why I got so few interviews.

Given that I will be going into the NRMP match with only 3 programs ranked I am very concerned about not matching. I am wondering if I should try and find a spot in the AOA scramble as it starts before the NRMP match. I realize that if I do take one of the unfilled spots in the AOA scramble it will remove me from the ACGME match and of course there is no guarantee that I can get a spot in the AOA scramble.

I guess I am trying to make sure I am not getting cold feet and jumping out of the NRMP match prematurely. Would I be crazy to go into the NRMP match with only three programs or should I take whatever I can find in the AOA scramble.

Thanks!

OMS-IV

Mods: Feel free to move this thread if you this belongs somewhere else.

 

[Vita]

What do you think your chances are at those MD programs? With that many applications and so few interviews, I would do whatever you have to in order to get a spot.

I think you should keep an eye out for the open spots in the scramble post DO match and see if there are any you would want to go to. In your situation, I think I would just scramble before the MD match because after the MD match there may be more competition for those unfilled spots (since there may be people who attempt to scramble into DO spots if they don't match MD).