Unmatched Programs...How?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Yosh

Livin' in the WINDY CITY
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 25, 1999
Messages
1,395
Reaction score
0
I have a question that I am sure is silly...but I need to ask anyway...

I was just on Scutwork, looking at the match list from 2003, and saw that urology, derm, and other "competitive" programs went unmatched. Some had 3 slots and only filled 2, others didn't fill at all...

Is this because the program just opted not to take anyone? I am not understanding how these demanding residencies went unfilled...


Thanks...and take it easy on me..I am only a 3rd year...trying to look ahead...

Thanks...
 
i have no stats to back this up but rumor is that real competitive programs would rather have an unfilled spot and fill it will the cream of the crop. when you have an extra derm spot, for instance, on scramble day, you will get real qualified applicants -- possibley people who wouldn't have considered you earlier.
 
I've heard that sometimes programs go "unfilled" because programs mistakingly list them as an open spot during the match process when in fact they only want to fill them once every few years. Some programs may also decide that they don't want another pair of hands because they were not overly impressed with any of the applicants.
 
Just as top applicants sometimes fail to match because they rank too few programs so also can programs in competitive specialties or prestigious hospitals fail to match all their spots by ranking only some of those they interviewed.This seems to happen in a few places every year.There are always enough people known to these programs who are switching residencies,were strong applicants but failed to match or those doing research fellowships who can quickly fill the unmatched spots.As stated sometimes they are are left unfilled. The information posted about ummatched spots can be misleading or wrong,for example there were no unmatched positions in Derm in 2003.The 2 unmatched spots listed as unfilled at NYU were for a 4 year Derm track which was withdrawn by the hospital and was never actually available to be matched.
 
This happens for several reasons:

1) There is actually no real opening... They have an internal candidate at their own school who decided to sign up for the match late, or some dude (including FMGs) in the chairman's lab is promised that spot.

2) The program got cocky and only rank the same number of candidate as there are spots.

3) Too many residents in lab rotation (PGY3) who will need to come out of the lab in two years. Therefore, they only match 2/3 residents to save spots for people coming out.

4) some one messed up and forgot to turn in their (the program's) rank list.

So just because it is listed as unmatch, sometimes in these specialities the spot is not really there.
 
Makes sense...

Thanks for all the input!!!

You guys/gals are GREAT!!!
 
These things actually happen? They all sound like things that shouldn't happen according to the rules or common sense!


Originally posted by Been there
This happens for several reasons:

1) There is actually no real opening... They have an internal candidate at their own school who decided to sign up for the match late, or some dude (including FMGs) in the chairman's lab is promised that spot.

2) The program got cocky and only rank the same number of candidate as there are spots.

3) Too many residents in lab rotation (PGY3) who will need to come out of the lab in two years. Therefore, they only match 2/3 residents to save spots for people coming out.

4) some one messed up and forgot to turn in their (the program's) rank list.

So just because it is listed as unmatch, sometimes in these specialities the spot is not really there.
 
yes, these mistakes happen. Last year, University of Wisconsin ortho screwed up and only submitted a rank list of their top 5 candidates for 5 spots. They matched 2 of them, but were left to scramble the next 3. There were a lot of pissed candidates that ranked Wisconsin #1 after that.
 
Top