kestrel7
Registered User
Posts: 4
(3/20/01 10:13:19 pm)
Reply
scrambling in pain
hello all, congrats to all who matched.
i, after interviewing at 14 programs, didn't match anywhere; this was rather unexpected to all (myself,
residents, faculty at my program, etc.). i have a couple of questions to anyone who have any insight
regarding such issues
one, there are supposedly 9 unfilled spots, how many of these are realistically open? what is the
likelihood of scrambling into one of these programs for someone who was initially a fairly competitive
candidate? how long does it take for these programs to decide?
finally, what about the notion of signing a contract for a prelim surgery position and breaking that
contract later if i do scramble into an ortho spot?
thanks in advance for any input.
Big Tex 3
Registered User
Posts: 2
(3/21/01 10:04:33 am)
Reply
Re: scrambling in pain
maricopa has filled there 2 positions. Univ of South Alabama was accepting applications by fax and email,
and was suppose to make a decision toward the end of the week according to the secretary. i was
advised by my dean not wait around on program delaying there decision. i know ortho is competive and
can get away with screwing 7-10 or more people to get 1 candidate, but i did not think it was worth the
risk. Hosp Joint Dis, I am not sure what was going on there. Wake Forest (the 7 year career path) not
sure when they were making a decision either. it was very important in this process to have chairman
with political connections, to make calls and get you through to back numbers. I was told it is not
unusual for the chairman of one program to call around to his buds (other chairman) if has unfilled spot
and get a jump on finding someone before the list comes out. i don't know if this i legal according to
rules, but alot of back door stuff happens during this whole process. Without a chairman helping, I think
you are kind of unlikely to get a look. obviously, i was scrambling also but i decide to change my path
from ortho. good luck to anyone who had to scramble.
mafia
Registered User
Posts: 1
(3/21/01 4:33:59 pm)
Reply
Re: scrambling in pain
Last year I received my contract on the day I found out where I matched. How is that possible if the
programs don't know who matched with them before us naive applicants. I definitely agree with you that
the directors use the back door to get residents.
Big Tex 3
Registered User
Posts: 3
(3/24/01 6:59:13 am)
Reply
Re: scrambling in pain
the 2 unfilled spots in arizona were at arizona affillated hospitals, not maricopa
orthocb
Registered User
Posts: 1
(4/21/01 2:40:24 pm)
Reply
Re: scrambling in pain
where did you guys wind up? All is not lost if you do not match the first go. I know many who match the
second time around... including myself. Work hard during your internship, get good letters, and try and
get a rotation on ortho. It helps if you kick but on step 2. But the interviews will definitely come. So relax
and move on. Good luck!!
kestrel7
Registered User
Posts: 6
(4/22/01 1:02:36 am)
Reply
that is encouraging
i ended up taking a surg prelim spot at UCSF, probably going to be a rough year, but...oh well. i am
currently studying for step 2 which is rather painful. i thought i just needed to pass after matching, but
now i need to do well in preparation for the next go around.
can you give us some tips about reapplying? for instance, where do you find the programs which offer
pgy 2 spots each year? thanks.
orthocb
Registered User
Posts: 2
(4/22/01 2:34:02 pm)
Reply
Re: that is encouraging
there really is no source of info for that, but people drop out all the time, i know of at least three pgy2
openings this year, most likely youll be applying for a pgy1 spot and hopefully do a year of research, that
is what i am doing. I actually signed outside of the match last jan., sometimes when you apply a program
will give you an interview b/c they are looking for someone who is doing or will have finished their
internship for the next year. But i actually got more interviews the second time around. I got 13 the first
time and 24 the second, but i also applied to about 60 programs the second time and only thirty the
first. It is important to try and get in good with the program you are working at. I did a month of ortho
in my surg internship and got in pretty good with the residents and staff, you can look out for the ortho
guys when your on other services and help them out. Just dont piss anyone off. If they like you they will
take you, or write good letters for you. Stay in touch with your old ortho chair too b/c you will need a
letter from him. Get in good with the gsurg res director for a good letter as well. Just work hard and be
determined and patient, dont tell people your in ortho (that really pisses the ortho guys off). Things will
work out.
Good luck
IamNikolas
Registered User
Posts: 10
(4/22/01 3:27:05 pm)
Reply
research year
So if you do a surgery prelim and match in Ortho the 2nd time around, you can do a research year
instead of another surgery internship??? Is that the case at most programs or is yours an exception?
Thanks for the input.
Residencygirl
Registered User
Posts: 2
(4/22/01 7:04:57 pm)
Reply
Re: that is encouraging
If you want to know where the open spots are for Ortho residencies, I have stated it before and I will
again, get to know the residency coordinator in Ortho. I know personally I'm in my job because I want to
work hard and make our residency the best it can be. We get notices all the time from programs with
openings, let the coordinator know that you are interested and could they please contact you if they
know of an opening. Guys, secretaries week is coming up, let that coordinator know how important they
can be in helping you find a spot, by bringing that individual a card or even a cup of coffee, just to wish
them a great week and it never hurts to get in good with the coordinator. We do have a lot of input in
who gets an interview and who does not. Good Luck!
