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!