<p>I am new to this game. But anyone who has a child or knows someone who is in med school knows about Match Day. This year it's next Friday, March 15th.</p>
<p>For those who don't know, that is the day that Medical School seniors all over the country find out where they "matched" to for their upcoming residency. They have spent the past several months in interviews, and then rated all the programs in which they are interested. The programs, in turn, rate their candidates in rank order....a big computer takes in all this info and using some mysterious algorithm, spits out where the individuals "matched" (if, indeed they matched....which a whole other thing to be concerned about!!), and where they will spend the next 4-5 years (or so, depending upon the speciality). </p>
<p>Here's the thing: my daughter, who is working on her PhD in neuroscience, is in a very serious relationship with a graduating med student who is waiting on Match Day to find out where he will be. His first choice is to stay where he is (the same university where my D is) for his residency. This was his first choice before he met and began dating her, but now it's even more important to him (and to her). The other programs that he ranked are mostly within 3-4 hours driving distance, so if he does not match here, my D will be doing lots of driving. At least until she finishes her PhD here.</p>
<p>So, it's like waiting on admissions decisions all over again! Only this time, it's not my kid. Though, in reality, this particular decision will indeed have a huge long-term impact on my kid. The actual Match Day event is a big thing, and my D, her boyfriend and his family will all be there to watch him open the fateful envelope. I will be waiting rather anxiously for a text from her. </p>
<p>So I was wondering if anyone else here has someone close to them waiting on the Match?</p>
<p>No, my D is not a medical student. She is working on her PhD and still has another couple of years to go, most likely. So if he matches out of town, it’s long-distance for them for at least one or two years. </p>
<p>They are determined to make things work no matter where he ends up, and he seems to have some great options and enough good interviews and programs that he ranked (and some personal contacts back from some of them) that he’s not really concerned about not matching. THAT would be awful. I will be glad when he finds out for sure next Monday that he did, indeed, match. </p>
<p>Then it’s just the wait until Friday at noon. And then, for me, until my D can let me know what happened!! </p>
<p>This whole process is fascinating to me, and one that I have just been really learning about over the past few months as things have gotten “serious”. It reminds me a great deal of waiting to hear about college acceptances and then about grad school. But the whole process of interviewing and then ranking all the programs and then turning it all over to some computer program is just crazy to me. I get why it’s the way it is, but, sheesh!</p>
<p>It’s a very good system for residency assignments. Everyone knows their job at the same time. None of the craziness of some hearing a yes from multiple places then their choosing opening up a spot for someone else like for medical school admissions. I still remember bits about mine eons ago. A very few students had to change plans when they didn’t match but all had a job by the end of the day. It was harder for couples who had to compromise in order for both to get programs in the same city. I can understand why a similar matching wouldn’t work for college admissions, however. </p>
<p>Good luck to your D and her boyfriend. May the Ides of March be good to them. The next few years will fly by as he is very busy. The next year will be the most demanding of his life- I noticed you mentioned HER, not his, traveling as need be. Sounds like they have a realistic idea of the “free” time factor. Easier than in my day due to workplace time restrictions, but sleep and study always a priority.</p>
<p>None of mine buti know two engaged couples trying to match together. In both cases one person is in a very tight area…adds to the drama.
Hope everyone matches well next week!</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, Wis75 and Dragonmom! It helps me a lot to have someone to “talk to” about this whole thing! At this point, I don’t bring it up with my D unless she brings it up first because there is just nothing more that can be done about any of it until he opens that envelope one week from, well today (I am writing this at 4 am on Friday). </p>
<p>wis75, I can see that the Match is a good system for assigning residency spots. And I guess I understand the reasoning behind most of the timing of it all…but I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to the students (and have heard this sentiment expressed over and over) to know that this has all already been decided (except for those who have not matched and must participate in SOAP next week). They just have to wait until next Friday at noon. </p>
<p>At least his school lets all the students rush to get their envelopes off a table and open them at the same time. I have seen videos of this from years past. I wish I could come and be a fly on the wall and watch my D and her boyfriend’s faces to see if they are happy with the result! </p>
<p>I understand at some med schools, they call each student up individually and they open theirs and read it aloud in front of everyone. Eek. I am glad he does not have to go through that!</p>
<p>The other strange thing to me is that there are some areas of specialization that have already matched…and some that won’t until later on. </p>
<p>Any way, it’s an exciting time for them all! Dragonmom, I cannot imagine the drama of going through a couples match!</p>
<p>At ours they get their envelope all at the same time and open with their families - there are lots of squeals, shrieks and tears - most are very, very happy and relieved!!! Such a big day.</p>
<p>The 1st big day is Monday, March 11th when the 4th year med students find out if they matched anywhere or if they have to dive into the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Thankfully, the scramble has been replaced.</p>
<p>My D has been so busy lately that she hasn’t really focused on Match Day, but it is starting to hit her now. W and I will be at the Match Day ceremony next Friday waiting anxiously. Fortunately, 95%+ of 4th years at her med school get 1 of their top 3 choices.</p>
<p>I have a young friend who is anxiously awaiting Match Day. I remember Match Day 2008 when my (now) son in law was matching. He and my daughter needed to be somewhere that worked for her to go to Episcopal seminary, so that narrowed it down a lot. We were a tiny bit less anxious because he had been given a little hint that he shouldn’t worry and that he would wind up where he wanted. The pictures from that day and the opening of the envelopes were great!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, for sharing your Match Day stories! Please keep them coming (and I will share ours once we have one!) :)</p>
<p>My D’s BF limited his applications to the general region around here (not because of her, that was his plan all along!). He had what he seems to think is a good number of interviews and ranked, I think, around 12 programs. He got a personal call from his #3, where he’d be very, very happy, so I think my D is kind of thinking that is where he will end up. He (and she and WE) are still hoping he gets his #1 choice, which would be to stay here. </p>
<p>I have the definite impression (is there such a thing??) that they are waiting to become officially engaged until after the Match. My D has stated she did not want to be engaged while having no clue what will be going on in the immediate future. I guess she is her momma’s daughter in that she wants to be able to PLAN! Interestingly, they have indicated that his matching outside our area will not really affect when they’d get married…D would just commute and hopefully get to the point soon in her research where she can spend some days writing/working from home, ie in the town where her Doc BF is. </p>
<p>We all just want it to be HERE, though. We are a pretty close family. He also has family here that he is close to. But we know it will all work out for the best, regardless. </p>
<p>Again, it just helps me so much to have all you fine people around to vent to about this! Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>churchmusicmom - Thanks for starting this thread. W and I are antsy to say the least. D had about 12 interviews within her “acceptable geographic area.” Any of her top 3 would be VERY acceptable. The next three would be acceptable as well.</p>
<p>To think that the next 3-? years of your life are dependent on the outcome of an algorithm is a bit daunting.</p>
<p>DD will do match day next year, so this is interesting. This week she is stressing having to do her MS4 schedule and yet she is still torn between three specialties.</p>
<p>Anyone with a current or recent MS4 have any insights on Step 2 timing? DD is being advised by her school to do it before September 1st, but everything I read online (SDN & some schools post advisories) seems to say do it by December. Just how flexible is it in reality?</p>
<p>I must admit to watching a good many match day videos on YouTube. It is fun! I do wish I could be there, but completely understand why I won’t be.</p>
Interestingly, they have indicated that his matching outside our area will not really affect when they’d get married…D would just commute and hopefully get to the point soon in her research where she can spend some days writing/working from home, ie in the town where her Doc BF is. </p>