BLACK MONDAY- some perspective

In less than 5 hours, some of you all will recieve probably the worst
news of your life thus far. I know because it happened to me just 12
months ago. If, like me, all you can possibly see yourself doing is
orthopaedic surgery; being informed that you are 'free to scramble' is
earth shattering news.

I remember I was looking for housing in Seattle with an eye on San
Diego on the night before black monday. I was full of excitement and
anticipation of my career in orthopaedic surgery--until I received an
email that said 'congratulations you have matched to a one year
position'. This means that I fell to the bottom of my rank list,
number 15, a prelim in general surgery.

I had applied widely as advised due to my couples match status, some
>85 locations, I received 33 interviews and went on 16. I had rejected
many offers because later in the process I realized that I wanted an
academic program. That monday was full of regret for every offer that
I had declined. A bad day in a community ortho program is better than
a great day in the best general surgery prelim year...

From the moment I realized the implications of my not matching I went
through the entire grief process: denial, anger, denial, anger, denial,
anger. The expense of my application, away rotations, and interviews
exceeded $8K- I had taken an additional loan which I justified as an
investment in my future to cover the costs. But then I had nothing to
show for that investment.

Three of my class failed to match, all were excellent candidates
(including myself) 99%ile on step one, publications, honors etc...
One person decided to do research, two of the us did gen surg prelim
years. In my case I needed income and to defer my loans (not all
research years allow you to defer your loans; only 'qualified'
residency programs)

After much agony, I determined that I was going to continue pursuing
orthopaedics. The grief process reached 'acceptance' and I put my game
face on. Again I applied widely despite my wife being in pediatrics
where I was doing my prelim year. I contacted every program director
that I knew from my interview trail last year. I rewrote my go#$*mn
personal statement that I swore I would never do again. I did my ERAS
again and I got LOR's again (yes you have to do this, without the
benefit of away rotations and multiple letters in ortho). I found by
way of grapevine and a network of friends I had made on the interview
trail that there were 4 different pgy-2 ortho spots available beginning
7/05. I also applied to these.

It is worth mentioning that my personal ROL was different than that
posted on OSRR last year due to compromises made for couples match
status. To make a long story short, my personal number one choice was
one of the pgy-2 offers, I interviewed and was offered a position on
the same day. Incidentally it was also my first interview of the
season- which saved $$$.

The moral of my story is: Black Monday seems like the end of the world,
As in everything- it is what you make of it.

If you recieve tragic news as I did; reassess you goals. If like me,
you can only do orthopaedics.... my advice is put your game face on and
pursue your dreams with joy and fierceness.

peace.