Couple's Match Help

It would be helpful to know what your S.O. is applying for.

My SO was applying to radiology. We ranked all the geographically coupled places at the top of the list, but we were willing to match apart if none of those worked, so the rest of our list was all permutations of our individual lists (i.e. 269 ranks for each of us) including the "no match" option. Both of us matched, but we're not sure if we'll be together until tomorrow I guess. I'd say we're both average applicants for our respective fields as well. We did not notify programs of couples matching through ERAS or on the interview trail BTW because this was a late decision for us.

Successful couples match (ortho/peds). Having a SO applying for a non-competitive field made the process less stressful. We applied broadly but focused on a couple regions. Ranked every possible combination for over 200 ranks, including each of us not matched. We were very open about the whole process and willing to compromise, so it really was not too bad in the end. I will find out tomorrow if we matched in the same location. We listed it on ERAS, and it got brought up in just about every single interview. I would say it was a positive experience, while I was expecting to meet some criticism.

Moral of the story, couples matching is very do-able, just be smart about where you rotate/apply.

Meaning what? Big cities only?

How many interviews did you attend? I'm assuming the number increases with the Couple's Match, so I'm curious to know what that number is.

Also, were you able to get any more or get your SO any interviews after telling the programs you were Couple's matching after they extended you/SO an interview?

My wife went into family medicine, we matched. As most non-competitive fields are, she was heavily recruited at her interviews and was put up in way nice hotels, so if this is the case with you you can try to schedule your interviews on the same dates and stay in nice hotels for free. I honestly feel this was an advantage for me as her program directors were having my ortho program directors dig up my name for an interview when I was probably among the other 500 people that didn't stand out to them and didn't get interviews. Just make sure at every interview they know you're couples matching and express both of your desires to come to that city. I only ranked the 30 allowed couples combos allowed before paying extra including many where only I matched and we ended up both matching so we know it's the same city. We'll see where in a couple hours I guess...

jon,

Having now received my match results I can elaborate a little more. We had a successful couples match (Ortho/peds). When I said be smart about where you rotate/apply, I meant make sure it is not just a self-serving rotation. If you are interested in going to Chicago but your significant other hates winter, you are wasting a rotation, for example. Also, apply broadly. Make sure you apply to every program in a given city so that if your SO gets an interview in that city you will have more of a chance to not have that interview wasted. My SO and I applied all over the country, but I ended up wasting a rotation bc it was in an area with no good peds program. That place told me I was ranked to match, but I placed them at the end of my list bc my SO refused to be at that same hospital.

You also must be willing to compromise. We ended up matching at my SO's top choice. I matched at a place about the middle of my list, but because it was her favorite, I ranked it much higher than I would have. I am thrilled, however, bc I matched with her (I was willing to compromise).

I hope this advice helps. If you really want to, you can make it work. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Much appreciated.