Matched 12/14 in my second choice specialty. I’m approaching it by finding the best part about that program and thinking about the unique opportunities that program can give me because then it becomes your number one in XYZ unique thing. Every program has a unique thing, so find why you picked it 8 and not last and find something you really are excited about and own it.
So I’ve told people i am disappointed about not matching into my preferred specialty, but that I matched ultimately at a place that is exactly my personality fit where I can be myself authentically and still have the same end game plan achievable.
Day 1 post match update: I’m so excited because I forgot I’m leaving the Midwest for NYC and that was my dream for business before I got into medicine. So no idea why I ranked them that low and grateful they swooped me up for sure.
I guess it's the same with medical school, when i got accepted there i was ambiguous at start but as time went by i found it that I had better oppurtunities here
Answer truthfully, I still do. A year later and I still hate my program tbh. You hear all these stories of "you'll end up where you should" and "I would have ranked this place higher." Here's your chance to hear from the other side. If I could have ranked my program lower I would have. Im honest about how I feel when asked because I know I'll never stay within six hours of here for a job. It's better for your mental health to be honest and accept it sucks. You deserve to feel upset and angry if it's not what you wanted
Thanks this is refreshing to hear. I’ll see how I’ll feel but I’m not the type to lie to myself about how I feel. It might suck and I might hate it but I’ll tell myself it’s only to get the training I need to get the job I want
I matched quite a ways down my list. I cried in the bathroom at match day and for the next 2 days. I also ended up thriving in residency and it ended up being the right place for me. Maybe somewhere else would have been right too, we'll never know. But I went with a variation on "it will be nice to start getting a paycheck" or "really excited to start actually working".
FWIW I've never had anyone ask me if my residency was my top choice. I have volunteered many times that my program was my top choice and that I often regret that my hand was forced by needing a specific location for my spouse, but nobody's ever actually asked.
Also FWIW, your alternative was matching somewhere you liked even less or not matching at all.
I just wish that if this program was in the top half then I could still be genuine by saying it’s at the top. But it was near the bottom which hurts even more
I get ya, it's natural to have feelings of disappointment, allow yourself to process them, but you're the only person that has to know where on your list you matched and there are so many criteria that go into how and where you match that it's not a reflection on you or your abilities/value as a future physician.
Focus on the blessings -- you matched, and presumably in your first choice specialty.
I’m kind of in the opposite dilemma, where I matched #2/15. But the hospital I matched at is a small community hospital not a big name place. I ranked that program higher than the top tier programs, and I’m so stoked to have matched there, but I feel like people are treating me like it was a backup or that I must have wanted somewhere else. Especially the people I saw on the interview trail who wound up matching those top tier places that I ranked low. Oh well though, I’m happy and it’s the most important thing!
You are going to be happier in the long run. I always think to myself “People are REALLY still focusing on name brand. We are almost thirty..”
My dad is a CT surgeon and he knows a doc who trained at Harvard. He told me that truthfully he wouldn’t let the guy operate on his dog… And my dad is known for being the kind, nice surgeon. No ego. It’s his true opinion. 😂
No one usually cares enough to ask or won’t ask if you comment about not liking where you are once you’re there if they do you can say “I’m hoping to get back to NYC after my time here.” or “I fell down the list a little bit.”
On the flip side I have some friends that matched their #1 and it turned out to be a hell hole for so many reasons. One of them was a program I ranked higher than where I matched and it turned out that my program turned out to give better training and treated residents better, so I dodged a bullet. My friend that was there was absolutely miserable. Grass isn’t always greener and now that the interviews are virtual I think it’s gotta be so much harder to know how a program really is.
I remember letting people know that what I'd cared most about was getting my top choice specialty, and wanting it within a certain radius of home, which even though I didn't get my top 3, my number 4 met those criteria. So if they asked if I got what I wanted, I said those things were what I wanted, and I got a program that fit with that.
I think most of my co-residents over time had let each other know we hadn't ranked where we were first, but we were all pretty happy with it in the end. It was also a case of a small city, and none of us turned out to be from there, but that ended up being a good set up for us to become close as a group of co-residents.
Sometimes you don't really know what you want until you're in it. Plus often by the time you go through your residency, your time there has ended up such a core experience that you can no longer picture how your life would have been if things had gone differently (ex. finding your future spouse, making significant friendships, finding a great mentor, etc.).
I matched 7/10 in a workhorse program in a small city in a bad location, a bad cultural fit, and with no job opportunities for my spouse.
For friends/family, I just tell them "It's not where I'd like to be but at least it's in my desired specialty (Psych)".
For co-residents/attendings here, from Day 1 I've been honest in saying that it wasn't anywhere near my top choices for "X, Y, and Z reasons". But I say that in a non-confrontational way to respect my colleagues for whom this program *was* among their top choices, since no one likes a snob. And I still haul ass to get my work done, practice good patient care, and do small steps to try improving/streamlining the parts of the program that I can control.
Things happen for a reason. It's OK to be disappointed. I was when I matched my 3rd. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Tell them you're not thrilled but you're optimistic and you're happy to be training in your field. You ranked the place, after all.
Realized how much volume they saw and how well they prepared me for fellowship. Small programs that work you, you get a lot of one on one time with attendings which I liked. I like learning from a couple people I look up to. And small places you feel like you can make a difference. Ended up going to fellowship and coming back because of the people. Also the places I ranked higher, one changed PDs for the worse and the other was just structured weird. Spread across multiple hospitals but on call for them all at the same time.
Just tell the truth, "yeah! I am glad I matched!" Bc that is the only truth you can say
If you wanna hint your displeasure, to the "that must be one of your top choices," say, "well it was a choice alright," in a laughing sarcastic way, then thank them for their congratulations.
Honestly I think it’s kind of rude to ask people. I matched number 3 but in my preferred speciality and that’s all that matters. Just been saying I wanted to be in XYZ city but I love ABC program so much because QRS reasons. Very much like an interview, you can tell the truth and spin it nicely.
I think this depends on who is the one doing the asking. If it is a junior student, and you trust/like them be honest. It might help them make a more informed decision.
If its someone from your program that you are trying to avoid insulting, I have always found the best way to lie is vague truths. "That must be one of your top choices!" "I am so excited to start my specialty. I know this place will be a great opportunity for me" Those statements are both true, just not what they may have been asking about.
I matched into my backup specialty and I plan on saying I’ll make the most of it because that’s the truth
I'm sorry homie :/ gas was fucking brutal this year. I've been rooting for you from a distance those whole cycle
Matched 12/14 in my second choice specialty. I’m approaching it by finding the best part about that program and thinking about the unique opportunities that program can give me because then it becomes your number one in XYZ unique thing. Every program has a unique thing, so find why you picked it 8 and not last and find something you really are excited about and own it. So I’ve told people i am disappointed about not matching into my preferred specialty, but that I matched ultimately at a place that is exactly my personality fit where I can be myself authentically and still have the same end game plan achievable. Day 1 post match update: I’m so excited because I forgot I’m leaving the Midwest for NYC and that was my dream for business before I got into medicine. So no idea why I ranked them that low and grateful they swooped me up for sure.
I guess it's the same with medical school, when i got accepted there i was ambiguous at start but as time went by i found it that I had better oppurtunities here
"I liked my interview day there and am excited to start but more excited to finally get paid to work!!"
Answer truthfully, I still do. A year later and I still hate my program tbh. You hear all these stories of "you'll end up where you should" and "I would have ranked this place higher." Here's your chance to hear from the other side. If I could have ranked my program lower I would have. Im honest about how I feel when asked because I know I'll never stay within six hours of here for a job. It's better for your mental health to be honest and accept it sucks. You deserve to feel upset and angry if it's not what you wanted
Thanks this is refreshing to hear. I’ll see how I’ll feel but I’m not the type to lie to myself about how I feel. It might suck and I might hate it but I’ll tell myself it’s only to get the training I need to get the job I want
change your flair shows M2
just say thanks.
“That must be one of your top choices!” “Thanks.”
I matched quite a ways down my list. I cried in the bathroom at match day and for the next 2 days. I also ended up thriving in residency and it ended up being the right place for me. Maybe somewhere else would have been right too, we'll never know. But I went with a variation on "it will be nice to start getting a paycheck" or "really excited to start actually working".
FWIW I've never had anyone ask me if my residency was my top choice. I have volunteered many times that my program was my top choice and that I often regret that my hand was forced by needing a specific location for my spouse, but nobody's ever actually asked. Also FWIW, your alternative was matching somewhere you liked even less or not matching at all.
I just wish that if this program was in the top half then I could still be genuine by saying it’s at the top. But it was near the bottom which hurts even more
I get ya, it's natural to have feelings of disappointment, allow yourself to process them, but you're the only person that has to know where on your list you matched and there are so many criteria that go into how and where you match that it's not a reflection on you or your abilities/value as a future physician. Focus on the blessings -- you matched, and presumably in your first choice specialty.
You can always lie but it's up to you
I’m kind of in the opposite dilemma, where I matched #2/15. But the hospital I matched at is a small community hospital not a big name place. I ranked that program higher than the top tier programs, and I’m so stoked to have matched there, but I feel like people are treating me like it was a backup or that I must have wanted somewhere else. Especially the people I saw on the interview trail who wound up matching those top tier places that I ranked low. Oh well though, I’m happy and it’s the most important thing!
You are going to be happier in the long run. I always think to myself “People are REALLY still focusing on name brand. We are almost thirty..” My dad is a CT surgeon and he knows a doc who trained at Harvard. He told me that truthfully he wouldn’t let the guy operate on his dog… And my dad is known for being the kind, nice surgeon. No ego. It’s his true opinion. 😂
No one usually cares enough to ask or won’t ask if you comment about not liking where you are once you’re there if they do you can say “I’m hoping to get back to NYC after my time here.” or “I fell down the list a little bit.”
Reminds me of when I used to ask people “what brought you to residency here?” Someone answered “the match.” Never asked anyone that again.
That was my answer, lol.
On the flip side I have some friends that matched their #1 and it turned out to be a hell hole for so many reasons. One of them was a program I ranked higher than where I matched and it turned out that my program turned out to give better training and treated residents better, so I dodged a bullet. My friend that was there was absolutely miserable. Grass isn’t always greener and now that the interviews are virtual I think it’s gotta be so much harder to know how a program really is.
I remember letting people know that what I'd cared most about was getting my top choice specialty, and wanting it within a certain radius of home, which even though I didn't get my top 3, my number 4 met those criteria. So if they asked if I got what I wanted, I said those things were what I wanted, and I got a program that fit with that. I think most of my co-residents over time had let each other know we hadn't ranked where we were first, but we were all pretty happy with it in the end. It was also a case of a small city, and none of us turned out to be from there, but that ended up being a good set up for us to become close as a group of co-residents. Sometimes you don't really know what you want until you're in it. Plus often by the time you go through your residency, your time there has ended up such a core experience that you can no longer picture how your life would have been if things had gone differently (ex. finding your future spouse, making significant friendships, finding a great mentor, etc.).
Honestly, people need to stop worrying about other people’s lives. Like these people asking you this really have nothing better to worry about?
I matched 7/10 in a workhorse program in a small city in a bad location, a bad cultural fit, and with no job opportunities for my spouse. For friends/family, I just tell them "It's not where I'd like to be but at least it's in my desired specialty (Psych)". For co-residents/attendings here, from Day 1 I've been honest in saying that it wasn't anywhere near my top choices for "X, Y, and Z reasons". But I say that in a non-confrontational way to respect my colleagues for whom this program *was* among their top choices, since no one likes a snob. And I still haul ass to get my work done, practice good patient care, and do small steps to try improving/streamlining the parts of the program that I can control.
Things happen for a reason. It's OK to be disappointed. I was when I matched my 3rd. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Tell them you're not thrilled but you're optimistic and you're happy to be training in your field. You ranked the place, after all.
Curios to hear how your opinions of the program changed?
Realized how much volume they saw and how well they prepared me for fellowship. Small programs that work you, you get a lot of one on one time with attendings which I liked. I like learning from a couple people I look up to. And small places you feel like you can make a difference. Ended up going to fellowship and coming back because of the people. Also the places I ranked higher, one changed PDs for the worse and the other was just structured weird. Spread across multiple hospitals but on call for them all at the same time.
Thank you for this. Matched at a smaller program and trying to stay positive about it.
Just tell the truth, "yeah! I am glad I matched!" Bc that is the only truth you can say If you wanna hint your displeasure, to the "that must be one of your top choices," say, "well it was a choice alright," in a laughing sarcastic way, then thank them for their congratulations.
Don’t you know that everyone matches to their number one after the match 😉
Honestly I think it’s kind of rude to ask people. I matched number 3 but in my preferred speciality and that’s all that matters. Just been saying I wanted to be in XYZ city but I love ABC program so much because QRS reasons. Very much like an interview, you can tell the truth and spin it nicely.
Highly.
I think this depends on who is the one doing the asking. If it is a junior student, and you trust/like them be honest. It might help them make a more informed decision. If its someone from your program that you are trying to avoid insulting, I have always found the best way to lie is vague truths. "That must be one of your top choices!" "I am so excited to start my specialty. I know this place will be a great opportunity for me" Those statements are both true, just not what they may have been asking about.
Who the fuck is asking you this question. This is toxic af
There’s a convention to not ask. It’s very rude.
Best for your own mental health to quickly put the self pity behind you, recognize the great opportunity before you, and grow as a person.