Word of Caution from My Dean

[Poety]

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Hey all,

I just want to throw out a warning to everyone, which I'm sure you all know, but I wanted to reiterate since it came straight from my dean today.

Since I'm getting my house on the market blah blah, we've had some discussions, and I was told, HISTORICALLY every YEAR, that students are told they are ranked to match, and that they are "sure bets" and that "you will match here, no problem" only to find that they had to either scramble, or went way down on their lists.

So I'm saying this as my dean did - do NOT take any word from any PD that you will be there as they say this CONSISTENTLY to make sure they fill their programs. He said this is for every specialty, not just one in particlar and although its a shame that it happens - it does.

What totally sucks is this entire match process that only allows students to have like one month to get all their affairs in order prior to starting.

Yes, as you can see I'm ultimately frustrated 😳

 

[Solideliquid]

Hey all,

I just want to throw out a warning to everyone, which I'm sure you all know, but I wanted to reiterate since it came straight from my dean today.

Since I'm getting my house on the market blah blah, we've had some discussions, and I was told, HISTORICALLY every YEAR, that students are told they are ranked to match, and that they are "sure bets" and that "you will match here, no problem" only to find that they had to either scramble, or went way down on their lists.

So I'm saying this as my dean did - do NOT take any word from any PD that you will be there as they say this CONSISTENTLY to make sure they fill their programs. He said this is for every specialty, not just one in particlar and although its a shame that it happens - it does.

What totally sucks is this entire match process that only allows students to have like one month to get all their affairs in order prior to starting.

Yes, as you can see I'm ultimately frustrated 😳

This is pretty much what I have gathered from all the emails so far from PDs and residents. The PDs are trying to be nice and sugar coat things, well what's the alternative? They can't tell you that you suck right? Some programs have not even responded to my emails, and I won't be surprised if I end up matching at one of those places as some PDs make it a point not to respond.

I know it's hard, it's stressful, but I think the best course of action is to be yourself during interviews, and just sit back and wait for March 13th...at least its not a Friday this year eh? LOL.

edit: on a brighter note, 24 starts up again in it's fifth season this Sunday!!

 

[Poety]

I'll be happy when the apprentice comes back on- woops I forgot internet quotes.. "the apprentice" there, thats better.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Hey all,

I just want to throw out a warning to everyone, which I'm sure you all know, but I wanted to reiterate since it came straight from my dean today.

Since I'm getting my house on the market blah blah, we've had some discussions, and I was told, HISTORICALLY every YEAR, that students are told they are ranked to match, and that they are "sure bets" and that "you will match here, no problem" only to find that they had to either scramble, or went way down on their lists.

So I'm saying this as my dean did - do NOT take any word from any PD that you will be there as they say this CONSISTENTLY to make sure they fill their programs. He said this is for every specialty, not just one in particlar and although its a shame that it happens - it does.

What totally sucks is this entire match process that only allows students to have like one month to get all their affairs in order prior to starting.

Yes, as you can see I'm ultimately frustrated 😳

1--Take nothing for granted.
2--Put your house on the market anyway--it might take awhile! We sold our house in January before the Match, but knew even if we were staying in town that we wanted to move. Were able to arrange a "rent back" until June.

finally---

3-- 😱 AHHHH! THE BABY HAS NO HANDS! THE BABY HAS NO HANDS!!!!!

 

[Poety]

1--Take nothing for granted.
2--Put your house on the market anyway--it might take awhile! We sold our house in January before the Match, but knew even if we were staying in town that we wanted to move. Were able to arrange a "rent back" until June.

finally---

3-- 😱 AHHHH! THE BABY HAS NO HANDS! THE BABY HAS NO HANDS!!!!!

1-Whats take nothing for granted "mean" you're talking to a soon to be "shrink" here "elaborate" (note the overuse of quotes, thats my new internet thing)

2-check your PM's

3-her hands have been gone for a while Sampson got em, what could I do? Starve the dog? 😛

 

[MDgonnabe]

yeah, i don't see what's so surprising here. i've had interviewers tell me i'll get whatever residency spot i want, that i'll be "competitive" there blahblahblah. well, judging by the number of rejections/programs which never even got back TO reject me, my objective market value ain't all that hot. i'm just gonna rank my list as i feel i'd be happiest, and whomever wants me can have me on their team. if i have to go far down my list, then so be it. i'm sure i'll make the best of wherever i end up. 👍

 

[Poety]

yeah, i don't see what's so surprising here. i've had interviewers tell me i'll get whatever residency spot i want, that i'll be "competitive" there blahblahblah. well, judging by the number of rejections/programs which never even got back TO reject me, my objective market value ain't all that hot. i'm just gonna rank my list as i feel i'd be happiest, and whomever wants me can have me on their team. if i have to go far down my list, then so be it. i'm sure i'll make the best of wherever i end up. 👍

they'll be lucky to have you girl 😉

 

[MDgonnabe]

they'll be lucky to have you girl 😉

😳 same to you, doll face.

pssst, shouldn't you be sleeping right now? you're not nervous are you? you'll do spectaculously! i promise! 😛

 

[Poety]

😳 same to you, doll face.

pssst, shouldn't you be sleeping right now? you're not nervous are you? you'll do spectaculously! i promise! 😛

wish I could, but SOMEONE is kickign me, feverishly, like she just learned how to kick or something 🙄 😉

 

[human#1]

ok so this all comes as bummer news to me. What does everyone think is a reasonable number of psych residency programs to rank? I was thinking there was only 5 or so places that i really would be willing to live at. 5..too little?

human#1

Hey all,

I just want to throw out a warning to everyone, which I'm sure you all know, but I wanted to reiterate since it came straight from my dean today.

Since I'm getting my house on the market blah blah, we've had some discussions, and I was told, HISTORICALLY every YEAR, that students are told they are ranked to match, and that they are "sure bets" and that "you will match here, no problem" only to find that they had to either scramble, or went way down on their lists.

So I'm saying this as my dean did - do NOT take any word from any PD that you will be there as they say this CONSISTENTLY to make sure they fill their programs. He said this is for every specialty, not just one in particlar and although its a shame that it happens - it does.

What totally sucks is this entire match process that only allows students to have like one month to get all their affairs in order prior to starting.

Yes, as you can see I'm ultimately frustrated 😳

 

[Poety]

ok so this all comes as bummer news to me. What does everyone think is a reasonable number of psych residency programs to rank? I was thinking there was only 5 or so places that i really would be willing to live at. 5..too little?

human#1

As usual, depends on stats. They say psych isn't as competitive, but I've met some amazing people on the interview trail. I'm not talking just board scores here (who really CARES about those damn things in the end) but about life experience, past careers, research experiences - AND HONORS THESIS' OR BOOKS PUBLISHED (like some people on HERE particularly) I think psych looks at the whole picture to be honest with you since I got random invites from places I didn't think I would. Overall, I was rejected from 5 out of 24, I did 9 and I'm ranking 8. Some on here are only ranking 4 though, others are ranking 12, it depends on what you're going after, the particular program and what your strengths are.

 

[whopper]

Don't trust anything.

Some programs may say they love you..how can you tell?

Every program I interviewed at told me they thought I was great. I'm sure some were overexaggerating.

They want you to place them high.

I wouldn't get any real estate until you know you are there--in writing.

I know the lack of time sucks, but trust me the converse is far worse--to have bought an apartment or house & then not end up going to that program.

Some programs already have housing set up for 1st years. Others have a list of reliable landlords used in the past.

I suggest you ask the secretary of the program for places for available housing, and if she doesn't know, to ask her to refer you to one of the residents.

If you still don't know where you will end up, try the top 3 you think you'll end up at--look for places in those 3 areas...generally. Then when you find out for real, you at least got a baseline.