Unmatched in scramble

[tngdoc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have not matched and have not gotten a preliminary spot in the scramble yet and am starting to get worried. I started with programs near where I live in PA and then started to expand where I applied. It did not help that my verizon DSL service cut out around 12:20 shortly after I downloaded the unfilled programs list and started applying to programs. After spending about 30 minutes with a verizon technician I got my service restored. Although my step 1 and 2 scores were a little low I have done well in my clinical rotations and passed step 3. I am not sure what I am going to do. I have worked hard to get to this point, want to help patients as a physician, and have a lot of debt from medical school... If anyone has any suggestions I do not mind if you reply here or privately.

 

[PalCareGrl]

Keep calling places and emailing them. Did you send out applications through ERAS to programs who are accepting them (they are starred on the unfilled list). Are you looking for prelim surgery or medicine? Are you trying to stay in PA? You may have to expand your search a little.

I'm sorry that you have to go through the scramble, but don't give up yet- that's why there are two scramble days!! Best of luck to you! I know how hard it can be (my SO had to scramble yesterday and accepted a position in a different specialty than he wanted so now he's looking at having to do two residencies instead of one to get where he wants to be... we're both kind of frustrated still...)

Keep your chin up and keep on calling! Best wishes! 🙂

 

[eddo]

Not sure if you are grad from MD or DO school. UMDNJ oteopathic in Stratford, NJ just across the river from Philly has positions 856-566-7121. Good luck.

 

[sblau001]

Hey, I know what you're going through. As a med student in a top 30 US med school, even though I got mediocre grades throughout, the USMLE's always killed me. I failed Step I once, and Step II twice. I still managed to get a prelim surgery position though, which I hated and ended up leaving after my internship year. This year I reapplied for PM&R, got just a handful of interviews, and didn't match. Even though I passed Step III on the first go-round with flying colors and have applied for my license, I have not been able to secure a position through the scramble yet. There were only 14 open spots available, and now they're down to 5. If I don't get a spot now, I will have to wait another 2 1/2 years before I'll be able to get back into residency, provided I get a position through next year's match. Make no mistake about it- even though I love being a doctor and helping people, the medical community is cutthroat and vicious. This is like any other business, and unfortunately the more difficulties I have to get through in order to practice what I want the less I hold my chosen profession in esteem.

 

[secretwave101]

Don't worry, scramblers. It may be that you don't match in the scramble. It will suck. Alot. But mostly that's because it'll be embarrassing.

If you can't find a scramble spot, you can sign up for a thing called "Find A Resident". It's run by AAMC, is totally legit and costs like 80 bucks. It basically runs like a dating service for M.D. and programs. You just put in all your ERAS docs (it uploads most of them for you from your actual ERAS account, so it's easy), and then post your name to the viewing section showing what year you're looking for and what specialties. Programs with openings also display themselves in similar fashion. You can contact open programs, and you will be contacted by programs too.

I had to drop out of the match last year, then got in with Find A Resident, and although I ended up just doing the normal match this year, I coulda gone to a number of cool programs through that service. I was contacted by some very good programs.

Granted, you don't have lots of control. And you won't have fun at your school's Match Day party (I pretty much faked it...lame). But you won't go bankrupt bec. you can't find a job. The truth is that there simply are more spots than people to fill them. It may not be exactly what you want, but it almost certainly won't be terrible, and may be better than you expected. So stay positive. If you don't manage to scramble into something, there's still a good probability that you'll be working as a doctor on July 1st.

 

[3dtp]

Don't worry, scramblers. It may be that you don't match in the scramble. It will suck. Alot. But mostly that's because it'll be embarrassing.

If you can't find a scramble spot, you can sign up for a thing called "Find A Resident". It's run by AAMC, is totally legit and costs like 80 bucks. It basically runs like a dating service for M.D. and programs. You just put in all your ERAS docs (it uploads most of them for you from your actual ERAS account, so it's easy), and then post your name to the viewing section showing what year you're looking for and what specialties. Programs with openings also display themselves in similar fashion. You can contact open programs, and you will be contacted by programs too.

I had to drop out of the match last year, then got in with Find A Resident, and although I ended up just doing the normal match this year, I coulda gone to a number of cool programs through that service. I was contacted by some very good programs.

Granted, you don't have lots of control. And you won't have fun at your school's Match Day party (I pretty much faked it...lame). But you won't go bankrupt bec. you can't find a job. The truth is that there simply are more spots than people to fill them. It may not be exactly what you want, but it almost certainly won't be terrible, and may be better than you expected. So stay positive. If you don't manage to scramble into something, there's still a good probability that you'll be working as a doctor on July 1st.

'Tis a puzzling year. Many things filled that weren't expected. My guess is that programs ranked a lot more this year, and it is likely that there were a lot of FMGs who matched. If this is the case, keep a close eye on programs that traditionally have a lot of FMGs. Come June, there will be a number of openings for people who, for whatever reason, are having trouble with visas. Don't give up yet, keep your eyes and ears open and see what develops.

gl