Fair argument you have proposed. I guess what I was trying to say is that the hospital you train in must be doing something right for them to be training physicians. The reason is simple b/c if they were doing something wrong you would hope the many layers of supervision would have cuaght them.

Granted your argument is correct that there certainly are programs stronger than other for whatever reasons (teachers, finances, resources) and therefore I stand corrected.

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"Wisdom begins in wonder"

i don't agree with this..i am not sure if there are "many, many" examples of top programs pre matching. i had experience at 2 universty programs and 1 community in the matching process and none were ivy league top tier and none regularly prematched..actually i don;t recall anyone at all 3 even mentionint the possibility nor anyone in the past so that is were i extrapolate that better or higher elite programs than those, which are many, probably do not pre match either. my program which is nowhere near the top in the state has never offered a prematch and rarely goes below number 10 in the rank list so i guess maybe that biases me too.

i guess the bext way to put this is that there is a generalization that a good program will generally not have to resort to prematch but there are times when they may. if the applicant worked there as a nurse, murse (male nurse), PA, etc then its probable.

the other issue is the notion of what constitutes a "top residency" as PA mentioned even within hopitals quality differes between departments for example at my hospital cardiology has been number 1 in the state 7 years running but IM is dismal. so what makes a top program? some say its academics and prestige for others it is location or a 100 other things so if you match at your number 1 or 2 then that is "your" top residency and that is all that matters

as a side note, i am by no means belittling matching or prematching it is a great thing to do and each year there are many who don;t get this far but just to add perspective by giving examples of how your insight into this process, what PDs or attedings say etc will change next year when you go through it and actually see the numbers on paper.

it does feel great to be told things though. i remember being told i was the only carib grad they were interviewing, that they get 2000 apps interview 100 and rank less than 40, and many other things and it felt great so enjoy the time off bc!

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OBGYN PGY II
I see light at the end of the tunnel!!!...wait a minute its just another freakin tunnel!

by many, many examples, i am speaking of programs across all specialities which have offered one or two, but do not always offer, prematch. i have personal experience with 5 folks that got the first or near the first prematch at solid programs. either way, it doesn't matter. i kow that 5 spots does not mean "many, many", but if you extrapolate the trend over the many years the match has been around, the numbers are likely significant. at the same time, there are programs that will never, ever prematch. fine by me!

your point about a "top" program is a great point. a good program is one that does what you need. if that program happens to offer 99% of the spots via prematch, that does not make it a bad program for you.

regardless, getting a spot is worthy of congratulations, and if this spot is his #1 spot via prematch, it is a job well done. i hope everyone going through the match this year does that well

absolutely, and something is better than nothing. an accredited residency is the minimum requirement, and it will do in a pinch.

but, hopefully, all of us have bigger goals than the minimum, and there are great things available out there. go get 'em!

Anyone know what day is Match day and how do we find out if we matched? (Letter in mail or on the internet?)

Thank you

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"Wisdom begins in wonder"

March 17th we can log into our NRMP page and see if we matched. March 20th we do the same to see where we matched.

All details are on the NRMP website.

NRMP: Residency Match: 2007 Main Match Schedule

Good luck to you all. Ill be doing this next year. Hope you all do well.

hey

so how does a prematch usually work?

do they just walk up to you at the end of the rotation and offer it to you without any initiative from your end? "hey man. i really liked you. If you ever need a spot, gimme a call." ??

does a sub-i maximize your exposure to the residency program staff?

A lot of the docs running the elective rotations aren't high up in the food chain. So how do you get to impress the right people?


please tell us your prematch story......

I am interested in this prematch stuff. it would save a whole lotta trouble. I just want to get my license and get the hell out.

good luck!!!!

so, prematch is really based on luck?

you just have to be charming and say the right things, know how to make small talk for just 1-2 days?
then the residency admission staff makes a choice based on gut feeling huh.

compared to all those other candidates, what superficial qualities did you have that others didnt?