Or maybe they know through experience that more students than not have to scramble for spots since their step 1/step2 scores are so fantastic! G-luck with the scramble and thanks for the vote of confidence!



Dear Students:
Now that March is here, some of you have found yourselves unexpectedly in a position you were hoping to avoid. Either you have been dropped from the Match for one reason or another, or may find out on March 17 that you did not Match at all. This reality can be a heart wrenching realization. But it's important to remember that although you'll have to scramble on March 18, you will have to overcome your disappointment, or at least place it on hold, within a day in order to put yourself in a good position.
Many of you have prepared for this possibility accordingly by retrieving the required documents from our office and putting them together with your other application materials. For those who have done this, you are putting yourself in the best possible position to be considered for an open spot in the scramble.
It's also important to remember that even if you don't Match or scramble into a position, you have options. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, concentrate on the information below and prepare your mind for an efficient and proactive approach to the scramble. Additionally, Ross would like to help in a very literal way.
But first, if you are not already familiar, ERAS will allow you to scramble free of charge to 30 programs that have indicated openings and to which you have not already applied, in addition to 15 applications to programs to which you have already applied. Therefore you can apply to up to 45 programs through ERAS free of charge. The below link takes you directly to information for scrambling using ERAS. If you have questions, contact eras-support@ecfmg.org. It is important that you review this information beforehand, so that you do not have to waste valuable time on March 18.
ERAS® Residency & Osteopathic Internship Applicants Site: Special Instruction for IMGs
Ross realizes that many of you will want to scramble to more than 45 programs. If you anticipate applying to more than 45 programs, you should think about a location where you personally are going to be able to fax. Some of you have personal faxes or access to fax machines that you will be able to use free of charge. Others may be in a position of having to pay for the use of a fax.
This year, Ross University has instituted a faxing reimbursement program orchestrated through the Department of Graduate Affairs. We will reimburse up to $75 of your scrambling faxing expenses, in exchange for proof in the form of a receipt indicating fax use on March 18.
In order to be reimbursed, you must do the following after scramble day:
- Mail the receipt, stapled to a letter indicating your name, student I.D.#, and your signature. You must supply Ross with this proof of usage under the terms below in order to collect your reimbursement.
Your receipt must indicate the date, March 18, 2008, and your fax expenses. THE EXPENSES MUST BE FOR FAX USAGE ONLY.
* Ross WILL NOT reimburse for the use of any other stationary items, administrative services, or purchases. Those faxing from a personal fax or other privately owned fax device/station are not eligible.
* In order to participate, you must be a current Ross student or a recent graduate. Graduates with graduation dates prior to 2007 are not eligible.
* Additionally, students who have successfully matched are not eligible, unless you are trying to acquire a preliminary program to supplement your match with an Advanced position.
* You must please allow 6 - 8 weeks for the reimbursement, as information must be validated.
Again, any participant who should fail to meet the above criteria will be ineligible for a reimbursement.
After March 18, 2008, mail your letter and receipts to:
Department of Graduate Affairs
Scramble Reimbursement Program
Ross University School of Medicine
499 Thornall St., 10th floor
Edison, NJ 08837
Tips for faxing:
Shop around for an economical faxing location. The larger chain stationary stores charge high faxing fees, some ranging from one to two dollars per page. With the amount you will be faxing, you may max-out $75 after faxing to only a short list of programs at a large chain store. Smaller or privately owned businesses, stationary stores, mailing centers, or libraries may have smaller faxing fees, thereby allowing you to fax to more programs and still be covered by the $75 reimbursement.
Get a friend to help. If you ask a friend or relative to assist you on scramble day, you may be able to work faster, perhaps by using two fax machines or two locations. In this case, you will need to make copies of all your documents.
Cite your stand-out accomplishments on the cover page. If you are ECFMG certified and have a copy of your diploma, by all means, include that information on the cover page or first page of your fax. Also, indicate that you are ECFMG certified and a graduated M.D. This tells programs that you can almost literally "start tomorrow" if need be. If you have exam scores above 200, you may also elect to communicate that on the fax cover page as well. Keep this information to a minimum though. You only want to catch their eye so that your application does not go unnoticed.
You are not limited to the 45 programs you apply to through ERAS and the $75 reimbursement. You can apply to as many open programs as you would like. Also, the official scramble may only last one day; but unofficially, spots remain open and emerge throughout the remainder of the spring and summer right up until July 1.
After Match and scramble, I will communicate some additional information to assist those who, even after the scramble, may still not have a position. Or you may consult the Pre-Residency Planning Guide anytime for tips on what to do next.
Should you have any questions, please respond to this email or write to graduateaffairs@rossu.edu
Good luck in the Match and good luck to those of you scrambling.
Regards,
P M
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/
Director, Graduate Affairs
Ross University School of Medicine
499 Thornall St., 10th floor
Edison, NJ 08837

It's amazing how people have different ways of looking at things.

I actually think the e-mails that have been sent about Match and Scrambling have been wonderful resources. I'm sure Graduate Affairs has seen people go through this hassle and want to make sure everyone is informed. I don't think this e-mail has anything to do with predicting success or not for 2008. It is an informational e-mail intended to prepare students for Scramble.

More than low Step 1/Step 2 scores are the number of interviews and ranks a person has made. If your ROL was short and you didn't get many interviews, it is probably better (than not), to have your documents ready in case of the possiblity that you have to scramble.
For the amount of money we have paid for our education, applying for the Match, and interviews, thank goodness they are finally trying to give us something back in case things don't work out as planned.

__________________

Graduate Affairs is the one Ross department that "does it right."

They are professional and efficient and get things done quickly. Big kudos to them.

Don't forget to post residency match results at:
http://www.valuemd.com/ross-universi...ncy-match.html

Best of luck to everyone!

__________________
Moderator - Ross University Forum

No comment.

But by saying "no comment" I am ,in fact, commenting!

Graduate affairs has probably been the most helpful department at Ross.
The possibility of scrambling is so un-nerving that getting any advice from ross is greatly appreciated (just think back to how much information you tried soaking up from this website before you started at ross in order to relieve anxiety)