#Match2022 is done.
Now, what if you did not match?
First recommendation: Take a break.
No, seriously!
(Note: this thread is not about unfairness, doctor shortage, etc. Enough people are talking about it)
🧵
Now, what if you did not match?
First recommendation: Take a break.
No, seriously!
(Note: this thread is not about unfairness, doctor shortage, etc. Enough people are talking about it)
🧵
The last few months and possibly years you have been laser-focused on a single thing.
There is nothing you can do now that cannot wait for 1-2 weeks.
Disconnect. Recharge. Refocus
Close Twitter. Bookmark this post for later.
When you come back..
There is nothing you can do now that cannot wait for 1-2 weeks.
Disconnect. Recharge. Refocus
Close Twitter. Bookmark this post for later.
When you come back..
Do you still want to pursue #match2023?
Ok. Then let’s do a brutal and honest self-assessment.
Why did you not match? Chances are something is missing.
Let’s look at the non-modifiable and modifiable factors -
Ok. Then let’s do a brutal and honest self-assessment.
Why did you not match? Chances are something is missing.
Let’s look at the non-modifiable and modifiable factors -
Nonmodifiable factors:
Old year of graduation
Low scores/failure on steps
Not a top-tier medical school
Non-US medical school
Non-citizen
There is nothing you can do about these. So let’s move on to..
Old year of graduation
Low scores/failure on steps
Not a top-tier medical school
Non-US medical school
Non-citizen
There is nothing you can do about these. So let’s move on to..
Modifiable factors: the goal is to make the strongest case possible for next year.
1. Lack of research: Publish. Just working on a research project w/o anything to show for it is not enough.
At a bare minimum, have a poster or two.
1. Lack of research: Publish. Just working on a research project w/o anything to show for it is not enough.
At a bare minimum, have a poster or two.
Ideally one or more manuscripts as the first author.
And no, Cureus publications don’t count anymore.
Research experience should not count if you are interested in a clinical role in the future. But it does.
Especially if you are missing out on other aspects of a strong CV.
And no, Cureus publications don’t count anymore.
Research experience should not count if you are interested in a clinical role in the future. But it does.
Especially if you are missing out on other aspects of a strong CV.
Here's a great thread by @adnanalkhouli on writing emails for research positions
https://twitter.com/adnanalkhouli/status/1497924300011196417
@adnanalkhouli And a nice email template by the awesome @awsumpowers
https://twitter.com/awsumpowers/status/1507126506627162115
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers 2. Lack of US clinical experience in your application specialty (for IMGs specifically)
Even if you are applying for multiple specialties, you need to have US experience for each specialty.
Preferably externship as compared to observerships
Even if you are applying for multiple specialties, you need to have US experience for each specialty.
Preferably externship as compared to observerships
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers (Note: I am aware that such positions have been difficult to find during the pandemic and can sometimes be financially not plausible).
Some states are now offering assistant physician positions. Check out this very helpful list by @ASP__org
Some states are now offering assistant physician positions. Check out this very helpful list by @ASP__org
https://twitter.com/ASP__org/status/1504528577244844032
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org 3. Lack of a strong, unique, and specialty-specific LOR
Formulaic LORs may not add much to the application.
You need a strong and unique LOR that identifies and celebrates your unique traits and accomplishments.
Formulaic LORs may not add much to the application.
You need a strong and unique LOR that identifies and celebrates your unique traits and accomplishments.
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org The trick is to identify writers of such letters.
Faculty who go the extra mile while teaching and mentoring are likely to write a non-formulaic LOR.
These are not necessarily the ones that praise or get along with you the most.
Faculty who go the extra mile while teaching and mentoring are likely to write a non-formulaic LOR.
These are not necessarily the ones that praise or get along with you the most.
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org If they seem busy all the time, they might not be your best bet
Unless they are nationally recognized, letter-writers likely do not matter.
Personal connection to your top choice(s) can matter.
Ask the faculty who seems most interested in you regardless of rank or position.
Unless they are nationally recognized, letter-writers likely do not matter.
Personal connection to your top choice(s) can matter.
Ask the faculty who seems most interested in you regardless of rank or position.
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org 4. Lack of a memorable personal statement
Start now: It takes 6 months to write a good statement.
Start new: Move away from the existing PS
Start in the beginning: Write everything that brought you here. Don’t edit.
Pause and start again: Review and edit periodically
Start now: It takes 6 months to write a good statement.
Start new: Move away from the existing PS
Start in the beginning: Write everything that brought you here. Don’t edit.
Pause and start again: Review and edit periodically
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org Address your failures - gap year, poor exam scores, change in specialty
A memorable and well-written personal statement can be your superpower
(Writing a detailed post on personal statement soon).
A memorable and well-written personal statement can be your superpower
(Writing a detailed post on personal statement soon).
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org 5. Interview Skills
If you got a fair number of interviews then you met the minimum objective criteria for these programs
If still unmatched, assess your interview skills.
Your CV and accomplishments get you in the game. But you have to be good at interviews to win the game.
If you got a fair number of interviews then you met the minimum objective criteria for these programs
If still unmatched, assess your interview skills.
Your CV and accomplishments get you in the game. But you have to be good at interviews to win the game.
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org Interviewers want to see if they can work with you.
Do you seem reliable, confident but humble, willing to learn and improve constantly, teachable, team player?
Are you honest about your weaknesses?
What do you have to say about your failures?
Do you seem reliable, confident but humble, willing to learn and improve constantly, teachable, team player?
Are you honest about your weaknesses?
What do you have to say about your failures?
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org Do mock interviews with friends and peers. Ask for honest feedback.
Videotape urself answering common interview questions.
Look for subconscious expressions, verbalizations, behaviors that might wrongly reflect a lack of interest, arrogance.
Assess speed and clarity of speech
Videotape urself answering common interview questions.
Look for subconscious expressions, verbalizations, behaviors that might wrongly reflect a lack of interest, arrogance.
Assess speed and clarity of speech
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org Prepare interesting but honest answers for common questions:
Why this specialty?
Why this institution?
Why this program?
Avoid cliches such as "great program", "world-renowned institution", "diverse pathology"
Why this specialty?
Why this institution?
Why this program?
Avoid cliches such as "great program", "world-renowned institution", "diverse pathology"
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org Pro tip: The interview is more about the interviewer than the interviewee. How did you make the interviewer feel about themselves? This is the feeling that will remain with them.
Did you make the interviewer talk about their passions, their research, their role?
Did you make the interviewer talk about their passions, their research, their role?
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org 6. Apply to a less competitive specialty
I know not desirable but an option nonetheless
This graph from NRMP by @jbcarmody will provide some clues on which specialties are likely to be less competitive next year
I know not desirable but an option nonetheless
This graph from NRMP by @jbcarmody will provide some clues on which specialties are likely to be less competitive next year
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org @jbcarmody 6. Hot take: Is this really what you want to do?
An unpopular opinion at this point when many applicants are angry, sad, and frustrated.
But really consider if you want to pursue residency.
As a physician, you are highly educated and qualified to pursue other avenues
An unpopular opinion at this point when many applicants are angry, sad, and frustrated.
But really consider if you want to pursue residency.
As a physician, you are highly educated and qualified to pursue other avenues
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org @jbcarmody Is residency what you truly want? Or is it family and societal pressures that you have ingrained?
Clinical/academic practice is not always the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Many practicing physicians are unhappy, burnt out, and see alternate careers every year.
Clinical/academic practice is not always the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Many practicing physicians are unhappy, burnt out, and see alternate careers every year.
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org @jbcarmody Options:
• Healthcare management
• Research position in pharm/med device company
• Admin position at these compnies where you report to medical director
• Marketing & Sales position at these companies
• Assistant physician
Look for positions that offer growth & promotion
• Healthcare management
• Research position in pharm/med device company
• Admin position at these compnies where you report to medical director
• Marketing & Sales position at these companies
• Assistant physician
Look for positions that offer growth & promotion
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org @jbcarmody Another great post/video on similar lines by @skeletalrad
https://twitter.com/skeletalrad/status/1506008797810249729
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org @jbcarmody @skeletalrad Summary:
For better chances in #match2023
Tackle what you can change
1.Research w/ results
2.Specialty-specific US clinical exp
3.Non-generic & specialty-specific LORs
4.Memorable Personal Statement
5.Become an interview pro
6.Apply to less competitive specialty
7. Introspect
For better chances in #match2023
Tackle what you can change
1.Research w/ results
2.Specialty-specific US clinical exp
3.Non-generic & specialty-specific LORs
4.Memorable Personal Statement
5.Become an interview pro
6.Apply to less competitive specialty
7. Introspect
@adnanalkhouli @awsumpowers @ASP__org @jbcarmody @skeletalrad Any of these points you want me to explore more, reply below. Good luck!
If you have questions, add as a reply to this pinned tweet and I will try my best to answer
If you have questions, add as a reply to this pinned tweet and I will try my best to answer
https://twitter.com/rohitmarawar/status/1501041081311498242
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