So it's official. I matched. Despite all signs to the contrary (the lack of communication by program directors, the very few interviews), I got an Emergency Medicine Residency. Half of me wonders if that's because of how I ranked my list.
When the program director called me, he spent time phrasing things like "We hope its a happy day" and "we know we're not everyone's first choice" which made me scared more than anything. I had second thoughts like, wow, was this really a not-so-good program afterall?
Being that I want to continue this blog as residency begins, I will not be revealing where I matched to. To keep HIPPA rules private and all of that.
____THE UNMATCHED____
I was also really shocked, because I had prepared to not match, had even written a second personal statement, had done everything I needed to scramble (or participate in SOAP they call it). I had friends who scrambled and it was kinda a shit-show. I had no idea it was that unorganized. Plenty of good candidates didn't get spots, got phone calls from directors in the scramble promising spots or saying things like "we really like you" and then no offers during the first rounds of SOAP. It was very disheartening. Only half of my friends who did not match, got a scramble spot. And those transitional years that were everyone's backup--- filled up fast. And family wasn't as easy to get as everyone said it was.
6 of the 13 friends I know who didn't match were Peds!! This baffles my mind. Peds is supposed to be easy to get into. I guess in the end it made more sense tho because those specialties who were likely to not match: surgery, ortho, etc -- had anticipated that and actually interviewed for transitional years. The rest of the friends who didn't match were things like: OB/GYN, EM, gen surg, and even one family.
That said, I was still really gung-ho family because I spent the last two months convincing myself that family was what I really wanted. Especially after that Rural Family Med/Free Clinic rotation. I was really all ready. So now I'm faced with some disappointment.
Despite the fact that I spoke to several family docs, who despite liking their jobs also hate them-- every piece of paperwork, every argument with insurance, and every patient who does nothing to help themselves with health.
In the end, I dunno if my planning mattered or not because the Almighty Match has spoken. And i am legally bound to go to my residency spot for one year even if I didn't want to. Which means for you med students out there.... rank only the programs you actually COULD go to. And during the whole process you keep say "i just want to go anywhere as long as they take me" and that is a big fat lie. There are obviously places you dont want to go. So be real and honest with yourself.
_____AN ASIDE FOR THE MATCHED____
Getting yoru temporary medical license is something you have to apply for almost immediately after you get matched because it takes so dang long (12 weeks or more). Every state is different and requires different paperwork. Its a crazy pain in the butt and everything has to be notarized including your copies of birth certificates and whatnot. So make sure you get that paperwork in on time, because you can't start your new job without it!
On top of all that stuff, you also have to get your 98th TB test (Come on people!! Why are you torturing me?) and another health check, another drug test, a really intense FBI background check where they take your mom into a dark room (not really) but it seems like that. They call everyone you've ever known or passed on the street.
____BEYOND THAT____
In the meantime, I have soooo much to do. Getting things ready for graduation has completely trumped the celebration I might have held for the fact that my last med school rotation is April 12th!?!?! WOOOO!! I had no idea graudating was this much paperwork, invites, and preparation.
A word of advice for all med students who are in the process of graduating. It is very exciting and it seems like all you want to do is go find a new place to live (which you should do). But also, do 1 thing that has absolutely nothing to do with school. Take a VACATION. Because from what i hear you don't get any vacations in residency. And it is harder than med school ever was because you're actually responsible for your patients.
Frankly, I'm secretly terrified I'm going to be a horrible resident and an even worse doctor because i don't really know anything...... I think my board scores prove that. ((Does that mean I can get off the hook?)) But I am taking a big vacation ( a whole week and a half) and I'm also gunna get a puppy. I'm pretty sure.
