Venting about SFMatch

[MedicalDoctorV]

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#1 The crapload of $$$ we have to dish out to SF Match (why is ERAS so much cheaper?)
#2 Programs only having one interview date (I'm thinking Indiana)
#3 Programs having overlapping interview dates
#4 Having 10% of your class applying to ophthalmology this year
#5 Checking your email >30 times per day
...i could go on and on

 

[Snuffleupagus]

#1 The crapload of $$$ we have to dish out to SF Match (why is ERAS so much cheaper?)
#2 Programs only having one interview date (I'm thinking Indiana)
#3 Programs having overlapping interview dates
#4 Having 10% of your class applying to ophthalmology this year
#5 Checking your email >30 times per day
...i could go on and on

I know. I hear you. Honestly, is it really that hard? Can't programs or the academy or PD's get together and decide:

1. They will group interviews geographically (all west coast programs will interview the first two weeks of november....all midwest programs the last two weeks of november and all east coast programs in december. or something like that).

2. They will, to the best of their ability, ensure that their dates do not overlap with other programs in their geographic area (or at least have one or two of their dates not overlap).

3. They will hand out only as many invites as they can accomodate, so we are not freaking out to reply to their emails within five minutes of receiving them. (Like you, I must spend a billion minutes every day checking my email!) And if they don't fill with their first batch of send outs, they can send out a second batch, and so on.

4. They will hand out invites at least 21 days before the invitation date, so you don't spend $12315971239078 on a cross country plane ticket.

5. EVERYTHING HAPPENS ELECTRONICALLY. Applying (shame on SF match for having us fill out a pdf file...print it out...snail mail it....only to have them scan it in as a pdf file!!! What is this....1995?), Inviting, Scheduling, Rejecting...everything should occur electronically.

6. It would be nice if programs could be upfront for what they are looking for. If they have a 250 Step I cutoff (god forbid), please tell us so most of us don't waste time and money applying to your program!

 

[luvdrops]

Sorry dudes, I have to tell you that it only gets worse - if you're applying for fellowship later. There's no centralized system at all, so you send the applications separately, with variable requests for different documentation (e.g. dean's letter from med school, undergrad transcripts, and yes, pictures of your lovely mug). Plus, the interviewing is just as pricey as for residency, and they do not coordinate dates...

But look on the bright side, you're almost done, and once it gets to the match, it's pretty much out of your hands. Things will turn out fine! 😀

 

[ZymarOUQID]

Also would be nice if some programs (like BU) would actually review your whole application instead of emailing you two days after you've sent in your CAS and saying, "we've thoroughly reviewed your application blah blah" and can't interview you... agreed that the ivory-tower programs should perhaps give some cutoff stats for the rest of us mortals so we can save some time and money.

Also would be nice if programs emailed you saying they got your application so that you didnt individually email everyone (well, at least like I did being such a tool) and waste time formatting individual emails to each program just to find out if they got your materials.

 

[MedicalDoctorV]

I know. I hear you. Honestly, is it really that hard? Can't programs or the academy or PD's get together and decide:

1. They will group interviews geographically (all west coast programs will interview the first two weeks of november....all midwest programs the last two weeks of november and all east coast programs in december. or something like that).

2. They will, to the best of their ability, ensure that their dates do not overlap with other programs in their geographic area (or at least have one or two of their dates not overlap).

3. They will hand out only as many invites as they can accomodate, so we are not freaking out to reply to their emails within five minutes of receiving them. (Like you, I must spend a billion minutes every day checking my email!) And if they don't fill with their first batch of send outs, they can send out a second batch, and so on.

4. They will hand out invites at least 21 days before the invitation date, so you don't spend $12315971239078 on a cross country plane ticket.

5. EVERYTHING HAPPENS ELECTRONICALLY. Applying (shame on SF match for having us fill out a pdf file...print it out...snail mail it....only to have them scan it in as a pdf file!!! What is this....1995?), Inviting, Scheduling, Rejecting...everything should occur electronically.

6. It would be nice if programs could be upfront for what they are looking for. If they have a 250 Step I cutoff (god forbid), please tell us so most of us don't waste time and money applying to your program!

Yeah SF match blows - how do those sh*theads sleep at night knowing they're charging that much for doing such a mediocre job. Illusion of it all being electronic, when just like you said, we're printing out PDFs. What is the SF Match btw? Anyone know? Private company? other?

The scheduling can't be rocket science - setting up a central database making sure dates dont overlap - you're right, it is 1995... maybe even earlier.

Has anyone else noticed that interviewers haven't seemed to have reviewed the file beforehand? or is this just my experience? Like they'll be flipping through it reading during the 10 mins they're actually supposed to be interviewing/interacting...

 

[MedicalDoctorV]

Also would be nice if some programs (like BU) would actually review your whole application instead of emailing you two days after you've sent in your CAS and saying, "we've thoroughly reviewed your application blah blah" and can't interview you... agreed that the ivory-tower programs should perhaps give some cutoff stats for the rest of us mortals so we can save some time and money.

Also would be nice if programs emailed you saying they got your application so that you didnt individually email everyone (well, at least like I did being such a tool) and waste time formatting individual emails to each program just to find out if they got your materials.

BU was hilarious = it seems like everyone got that exact rejection the morning after their CAS went out. "carefully reviewed..."

yeah even worse is when they email you saying "due to the large number of applications - we will not be able to send out individual rejection notices this year." AWESOME more waiting for nothing...

 

[marsupial]

You know what? Let's throw down.
Everyone who reads this thread, pick one program, call them anonymously, and ask for their minimum step 1 score. Let's get some numbers people, and compile them. Then we'll see how boastful they feel when their applications go down by 50%.

 

[ophthal3]

I highly doubt programs will disclose their step score cutoffs. My PD (east coast school, top 25) gives the typical speech: "240+ in good shape, 230's you're bound to still get interviews, 220s it can be variable (research, additional factors can still open doors)." Best advice I can give is to talk to your school's PD to gauge your shot beforehand and test the waters.

 

[bruinteg]

I know. I hear you. Honestly, is it really that hard? Can't programs or the academy or PD's get together and decide:

1. They will group interviews geographically (all west coast programs will interview the first two weeks of november....all midwest programs the last two weeks of november and all east coast programs in december. or something like that).

2. They will, to the best of their ability, ensure that their dates do not overlap with other programs in their geographic area (or at least have one or two of their dates not overlap).

3. They will hand out only as many invites as they can accomodate, so we are not freaking out to reply to their emails within five minutes of receiving them. (Like you, I must spend a billion minutes every day checking my email!) And if they don't fill with their first batch of send outs, they can send out a second batch, and so on.

4. They will hand out invites at least 21 days before the invitation date, so you don't spend $12315971239078 on a cross country plane ticket.

5. EVERYTHING HAPPENS ELECTRONICALLY. Applying (shame on SF match for having us fill out a pdf file...print it out...snail mail it....only to have them scan it in as a pdf file!!! What is this....1995?), Inviting, Scheduling, Rejecting...everything should occur electronically.

6. It would be nice if programs could be upfront for what they are looking for. If they have a 250 Step I cutoff (god forbid), please tell us so most of us don't waste time and money applying to your program!

I agree completely - its enough to have a crazy ****load of a debt at the end of school but we have to scrap for cash for what we deserve for free - its bureaucracy at hand - "money is to be made" is their goal.

Wasting money on schools which have no intention of looking our applications is downright sorry - medical school in the states has become a joke as far as finances go - residency is a must and we should not be suffering from sub-par serive ----> 👎 SF Match👎 - along with the other bull**** we have to deal with

 

[ophthoapplicant]

4. They will hand out invites at least 21 days before the invitation date, so you don't spend $12315971239078 on a cross country plane ticket.

I think the whole process is pretty frustrating- I've heard of at least one applicant who got a Duke interview without having applied there. It's like "what?" Nutty system.

In this case though, with invites coming out late and throwing off schedules from coast to coast, I think we as applicants might at least be partially to blame. Don't get me wrong- the system sucks, overlapping dates and lack of geographical coordination make this process far more stress-inducing and expensive than need be.

But when there are people holding multiple invites for one date (I think most people do this to some extent so this is not blaming or criticizing anyone in particular), the idea is that the second you release that interview by telling the program that you're not coming, is the second they email the next person on the list. That second might be only a few days prior to the interview or it may be a few weeks, but it depends on how early the prior applicant told them no. The earlier you tell a program you're not interested in "no", the earlier an applicant who would be thrilled to hear from them gets a "yes" for interview. And while most of the items on the list are kind of "tough ****" items where we can't do anything about them, this #4 is something where we as applicants have some partial control.

Just my two cents.

 

[Snuffleupagus]

I think the whole process is pretty frustrating- I've heard of at least one applicant who got a Duke interview without having applied there. It's like "what?" Nutty system.

In this case though, with invites coming out late and throwing off schedules from coast to coast, I think we as applicants might at least be partially to blame. Don't get me wrong- the system sucks, overlapping dates and lack of geographical coordination make this process far more stress-inducing and expensive than need be.

But when there are people holding multiple invites for one date (I think most people do this to some extent so this is not blaming or criticizing anyone in particular), the idea is that the second you release that interview by telling the program that you're not coming, is the second they email the next person on the list. That second might be only a few days prior to the interview or it may be a few weeks, but it depends on how early the prior applicant told them no. The earlier you tell a program you're not interested in "no", the earlier an applicant who would be thrilled to hear from them gets a "yes" for interview. And while most of the items on the list are kind of "tough ****" items where we can't do anything about them, this #4 is something where we as applicants have some partial control.

Just my two cents.

that's an excellent point. i've had to cancel some interviews d/t travel conflicts mainly, and i've so far tried to do it 2 weeks in advance. which is still not 21 days....so i guess i am guilty too.

i wonder if as medical students or residents there is a way for us to help change the process. does anyone know? rubensan? andrew doan?

 

[Mye Eye]

come on people...if you're going to turn down an interview offer....do it with MORE than 1 week please!

i just got 2 interview offers for NEXT week...I assume I was taken off a waiting list as soon as someone else cancelled...meaning they just cancelled interviews next thursday and friday....come on people...be courteous to each other...I want these interviews but likely cant take them because of conflicts now

 

[arsenalgunner]

come on people...if you're going to turn down an interview offer....do it with MORE than 1 week please!

i just got 2 interview offers for NEXT week...I assume I was taken off a waiting list as soon as someone else cancelled...meaning they just cancelled interviews next thursday and friday....come on people...be courteous to each other...I want these interviews but likely cant take them because of conflicts now

Then follow your own advice.......😀

 

[Mye Eye]

Then follow your own advice.......😀

thanks...i DID...i cancelled the interviews within an HOUR 😛

 

[arsenalgunner]

thanks...i DID...i cancelled the interviews within an HOUR 😛

Gentleman AND a scholar...👍

 

[bruinteg]

come on people...if you're going to turn down an interview offer....do it with MORE than 1 week please!

i just got 2 interview offers for NEXT week...I assume I was taken off a waiting list as soon as someone else cancelled...meaning they just cancelled interviews next thursday and friday....come on people...be courteous to each other...I want these interviews but likely cant take them because of conflicts now

may I ask where were u waitlisted?

 

[Mye Eye]

may I ask where were u waitlisted?

check ur PM

 

[Krony]

Since we're on the subject watch for this shady SF match trick : charging your visa about 6 months after you submit your application. I got a nice fat $1000 charge or whatever it was charged to my account sometime in march or something well after the match. ("We have conducted an audit and noticed that...") I hadn't noticed that they never charged me originally with the vast sums of $ I was spending on airline flights, hotels, ERAS, etc. I sure noticed it in march. 👎 Make sure they charge you initially to avoid surprises later.

 

[MedicalDoctorV]

so i read someone post that Columbia offered more interviews than they had spots -
now the same thing just happened w me and St. Vincents
WTF? I called back and they said all interview dates were filled....

 

[ophtho2020]

Unrelated to SFMatch the organization, but with this entire process... Who is tired of being asked "so, why would you want to leave state X and come all the way to our program?" MAYBE BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY 400 SPOTS NATIONWIDE AND THERE ARE 20 KIDS IN MY CLASS APPLYING!

 

[speyeder]

Unrelated to SFMatch the organization, but with this entire process... Who is tired of being asked "so, why would you want to leave state X and come all the way to our program?" MAYBE BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY 400 SPOTS NATIONWIDE AND THERE ARE 20 KIDS IN MY CLASS APPLYING!

heheh pretty funny!

 

[twintiger32]

i overheard from one of the board members for the ophthalmology fellowship match that they are considering going to a centralized system like SFmatch.

but yes, i agree with all above gripes...there were definitely some hurdles to overcome during the application process.