What happens on Match Day?

[drgirl]

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So, we're supposed to find out on the 27th right? Does the program call you up or does your school tell you? Does anyone have any idea what time of day it'll be? Since SFMatch is pacific time, does that mean it's going to be earliest 11am or so before those of us on eastern time find out? Also, could anyone shed some light on how IMG's find out--since they can't contact our school, will programs call us up on match day? We're only allowed to call the match on the 28th--it'd suck if we had to wait until then to know. 😱
Maybe play274 could shed some light, having gone through this......

 

[play274]

drgirl:

I am a U.S. medical graduate, and the other medical students at my school who were going into neurology and I went to our office of admissions a little before noon on match day; it was quite a memorable experience, as everyone appeared to get what they wanted out of the match. I am unaware of the experience for IMG matched applicants. According to the sfmatch.org (not com!) site (http://www.sfmatch.org/general/reg.html), you are correct - programs and deans find out on the 27th, and you can call on the 28th; the number to call would be (415) 447-0350. From my recollection, rather than making personal calls, most programs simply send out letters of congratulations and contracts on that date to all their matched applicants; things may have changed in recent years with some programs. I believe that you may need to wait until the 28th via calling.

It may seem a touch isolating, but it was the way it worked for me (about 4 years ago). As a matter of fact, if you don't partake in PGY-1 at the same program that you match for neurology, contact with your program may be extremely limited in PGY-1; many residents feel a touch orphaned in their first pre-neurology year. Alas, you don't need to worry nor feel "orphaned" ... as you will soon become an intricate part of your neurology program's call schedule.

I sincerely hope that you all match well. It is obviously a nerve-wracking and exciting time for you and the other applicants. Just remember, you'll only need to wait nine days ... and then get to toss a post into the "post-match celebration" thread! Best of luck, and keep in touch, drgirl.

-274

 

[drgirl]

Thanks for the info play274----That totally sucks if we have to wait an extra day...yeah, I know it's only a day but still......They should at least allow overseas applicants to get their results directly from SF Match on match day. It wouldn't be that hard to verify that the applicant calling went to an overseas med school. Anyway, if anyone's interested, there's forum on the Ophthalmology board about match day and how they let you know....would probably apply to neuro too since they're both SF Match.
Any IMG residents out there who know how you find out???????

 

[GopherBrain]

I think that nearly all programs call the person on match day. You won't really have to wait an extra day just because your dean's office won't tell you.

 

[play274]

I think that nearly all programs call the person on match day. You won't really have to wait an extra day just because your dean's office won't tell you.

Thanks for the insight, GopherBrain. I remember that only 2 out of the 5 students from my medical school received calls from neurology programs (myself - not getting a call); all five residents entered rather well-known programs for residency. I received an e-mail from my program two days after I found out about my match. Thankfully, this auspiciously "quiet start" has been overcome by a residency experience that I have truly enjoyed.

On the surface, a program director may not feel that this is important, but - speaking from a resident's point of view, it would be a very nice gesture and a great start. I am happy to hear (from your note) that most residency programs do contact their new residents via phone immediately; perhaps things have improved over the past few years.

-274

 

[jacksonianmarch]

Thanks for the insight, GopherBrain. I remember that only 2 out of the 5 students from my medical school received calls from neurology programs (myself - not getting a call); all five residents entered rather well-known programs for residency. I received an e-mail from my program two days after I found out about my match. Thankfully, this auspiciously "quiet start" has been overcome by a residency experience that I have truly enjoyed.

On the surface, a program director may not feel that this is important, but - speaking from a resident's point of view, it would be a very nice gesture and a great start. I am happy to hear (from your note) that most residency programs do contact their new residents via phone immediately; perhaps things have improved over the past few years.

-274

274,

Do you mind if I ask where your truly enjoyable residency experience has been? (you can PM me if you want)

 

[play274]

Good morning, jacksonianmarch.

I know that this site is read by a large number of our colleagues, and - if one has discussed "pluses and minuses" of other residency programs - in my opinion, it is inevitable that some people may take offense to it ... no matter how honest or well-intentioned our comments are. Moreover, I feel that it would be difficult for me to remain impartial with such revelation.

In reference to my program, according to the consensus of this board (prior to my first post), it is - supposedly - one of the "top-tier programs" (not that I find this to be any sort of a special distinction), it is located on the East Coast, and it seems to be well-recognized but not overly discussed on this board; I have not made extensive comments on this board either in reference or evaluation to my own residency program. I do understand that it would be helpful for you to know of something about my background in order to get context of my views, but I do not feel that it is imperative for you to know my exact program. By touting my own program, I believe that I would lose sight of my prime goal for adding to this board - to give some insight in an impartial manner. As a matter of fact, my "list" (that I posted on the the "5 best" thread) was not congruent with my own match list (from four years ago); I have certain preferences that do not necessarily agree with the general consensus, and I tried to create a list that best matched this "general consensus" among neurology residents and attendings (which undoubtedly may still have some inadvertant bias on my part).

I hope that I do not appear to be overly recalcitrant toward giving specific information about myself; I simply wish to maintain anonimity and not protagonize my own program. I hope that you understand. Perhaps, we can keep the remainer of these off-topic comments to private messaging; I do not wish to add any excess clutter about myself on these boards.

Everything said and done, there is a good chance that we'll meet under different circumstances. As you know, the community of neurology is a relatively small one. Best of luck to you in the match.

-274

 

[scm]

regarding time zones etc. my understanding is that sf match starts faxing stuff over night, as soon as its the 27th/midnight. i dont think they do it the morning of the 27th(which would result in east coast folks finding out in the afternoon) my deans office gets the stuff in the morning, calls us around 8-9am...usually programs call a bit later on.. at least this is what ive heard in the past and from friends who already matched with sf match this season(ent, optho etc).
scm

 

[drgirl]

Okay, is the waiting getting to anyone else? The anticipation is tying my stomach in knots! Maybe we should start a thread about our match nightmares.....that'd be entertaining reading 😛
Good luck everyone.....

 

[scared sh*tless]

Okay, is the waiting getting to anyone else? The anticipation is tying my stomach in knots! Maybe we should start a thread about our match nightmares.....that'd be entertaining reading 😛
Good luck everyone.....

I can't stand it!

Hey I bet I'll know almost before anyone else... Apparently the fax comes in overnight to the dean's office, and our dean of students gets into the office real early so will call me at 6:00 AM! Cool!

I just wonder how the non-early mach people stand waiting until the afternoon and match day to find out...

GOOD LUCK Y'ALL!!!!!!

Whoo hoo

It's OVER!

 

[Fantasy Sports]

I can't stand it!

Hey I bet I'll know almost before anyone else... Apparently the fax comes in overnight to the dean's office, and our dean of students gets into the office real early so will call me at 6:00 AM! Cool!

I just wonder how the non-early mach people stand waiting until the afternoon and match day to find out...

GOOD LUCK Y'ALL!!!!!!

Whoo hoo

It's OVER!

I hope the neurology match runs smoothly for you all (unlike urology!) best of luck! 👍

 

[PhineasGage]

I can't stand it!

I'm freaking out... imagining the drastically different possibilities and all the geographical, personal/relationship, and academic variables they entail -- it's maddening. I'm also hopelessly tethered to my email, pager, and cell on the off-chance that some PD will contact me tonight to put me out of my misery.

I think I need someone to slap me across the face and yell, in melodramatic film noir-style, "For God's sake Phineas, get a hold of yourself!" Or maybe I just need a beta-blocker. Or perhaps a stiff drink or ten.

-- PG

 

[GopherBrain]

Or maybe I just need a beta-blocker. Or perhaps a stiff drink or ten.

I have a bottle of Glenfiddich standing by in case of emergency. And I am definitely anticipating an emergency. 😀

 

[PhineasGage]

Strong work as always GopherBrain... Nothing like taking a call from a PD between retches.

Bottoms up,
PG

 

[GopherBrain]

Strong work as always GopherBrain... Nothing like taking a call from a PD between retches.

Bottoms up,
PG

Whooo!!! Now that I know my match result, I'm dipping into the scotch. Thank god I found out early - this would have been a long, sleepless night.

 

[PhineasGage]

Way to go GopherBrain... well-deserved, if your contributions to this forum are any indication.

Alas, my phone has yet to ring in the thirty mins since you received word... guess I won't be joining you in SF.

Nonetheless, celbrating the end of this madness seems like a good plan.

Cheers,
PG
🙄

 

[scm]

gopher you found out already? or were you joking? ugh, little sleep..i hope i dont wake up to the phone call in the morning, i think id fall back asleep and be unsure later if it was real or not...dunno if im going to be able to sleep though..good luck everyone

oops edit, saw other posts. congrats gopher!

so many of us on here, funny..too bad they dont have some live chatroom or something..

 

[drgirl]

so many of us on here, funny..too bad they dont have some live chatroom or something..

yeah, i know, we could all join in one collective "AARGH!"