Medusin
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Chema and laloblum,
Thanks for your response. I get the picture a little bit better know.
Chema what is your status on the general surgery residency?
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| chemamr
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 my status?, mmmm,  , not good. I think iīll have to go for the scramble. But i donīt care so much if i donīt enter this year. Itīs not that bad.
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| Medusin
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What is the ĻscrambleĻ?
So what happens if you dont get in this year. Will you apply next year (2007)?
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| chemamr
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yes, i'd apply for the next year (2007). Scramble is like a postmatch contest to enter to the unfilled positions of the residency programs, and you send documents by fax, ERAS, they interview you by phone, etc. you can give you an idea with this. But man, it's crazy and difficult to do it. So it's Match, if not, your second chance is the Scramble.
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| Medusin
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Well I wish you the best of luck. I hope you can get a position before the scramble.
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| chemamr
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thanks Medusin
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| Medusin
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By the way, does anyone know how hard is it to get into neurosurgery?
Do you have to apply for general surgery first or how does that work?
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| chemamr
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Neurological Surgery
General program information
Academic year 2004
Number of accredited programs 95
Length of accredited training 5 years
Minimum number of prior years required 1/0
Offers graduate year 1 positions, available immediately upon medical school completion No
Average number of PY1 interviews 27.5 Residents
Total number of active residents/fellows 828
Average number of residents/fellows 8.7
Average percent female 13.2%
Average percent international medical graduates 10.3%
ITīS FROM FREIDA. Thatīs the info Medusin. Hard: 10% of IMGs get it (which itīs low because general surgery is around 25% and IM around 50%). You need one year of general surgery or none (according to the program). Also you must know there is a special match for neurosurgery, called San Francisco Match (The usual match is NRMP).
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| Medusin
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Hey thanks for the info. It is pretty amazing. Chema could you tell me how to accces the info you just sent on FRIEDA? Where in the website do I have to go so it can be displayed like that?
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| Medusin
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oh nevermind I have found it already, thanks anyway.
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| chemamr
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alright.
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| laloblum
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The next post is a comple information for the scramble... so anyone specting to scramble o those of you that do not know the outcome of the match... I suggest read these information I gattered for you.
Enjoy!!
Chivas! Chiva! El padre de sudamerica!!!
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| laloblum
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March 13, 2006
Matched and unmatched information on applicants posted to the Web site at 12:00 noon eastern time. This means that at the specified time and date you can log onto the NRMP web site and see whether or not you matched. Note if you DID match, the information provided at this time does not tell you WHERE or into WHAT speciality (if you ranked more than one) you matched.
Obviously you need a good internet connection to access this information as the site will be jammed and a DSL/Cable line will be a bonus in getting through quickly.You must have your NRMP access code and password to enter the site for this information and you can log in from home, school, library, work, etc. Anywhere with a good connection. Don't forget to account for international date/time changes.
March 14, 2006
Filled and unfilled results for individual programs posted to the Web site at 11:30 am eastern time. The next day after obtaining information on whether or not you matched, you can obtain information on which residency programs went unfilled (presumably if you went unmatched you are immediately more interested in these than those that DID fill. So at 11:30 EST you will know which programs might possibly have empty positions. Print this list out if you are able and ascertain which programs you might be interested in.
Locations of all unfilled positions are released at 12:00 noon eastern time. Unmatched applicants may begin contacting unfilled programs at 12:00 noon eastern time. At 12:00 noon EST, or only 1/2 hour after the information about which programs are unfilled was posted, you now have information on which of these programs have unfilled POSITIONS. The SCRAMBLE HAS BEGUN!!
The information that follows can also be found at: www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html (so information is geared toward ECFMG candidates).
You will be most successful if you have everything done toward ECFMG certification but do not specifically need to be certified to participate in the match or scramble (although some programs may prefer it).
Now you may begin contacting programs with unfilled positions in an effort to obtain a spot. Hopefully you can do so over the phone and avoid an in-person interview. Although you can start with any program you like, my recommendation is that you first contact programs where you interviewed AND could possibly be happy AND have open position(s) (ie, if these conditions are met). Your chances are better at a place that was interested enough to interview you and has some idea of who you are. Let them know that they already have your application, and ask them to take another look at it. You cannot re-transmit your application through ERAS/ECFMG.
If none of the unfilled programs are places you interviewed at, then you can contact the programs in any order you desire.
Programs will differ as to whether they wish you to FAX them information or have you submit it through ERAS (as you did during the regular match) for the Scramble. Ideally, you will have contacted a few programs in advance to find out whether you should apply, and how each program wants to receive your application. Since it will be difficult to reach the program directors and receive the answers you need during the Scramble, ECFMG suggests the following method:
Add up to 30 programs to the list of programs to which you have applied and try to follow up with these programs by phone, if you can. If a program prefers to receive your application by fax, you can still fax your application to them. Remember you will know the day BEFORE the Scramble whether or not you matched so can contact programs then, if not before (ie, if you suspect you will not match).
When the scramble begins, you can apply to a maximum of 30 programs additional during the two-day scramble through ERAS. There is no charge for applying to programs during the scramble. However, to release your application, you must complete the payment process, even if the amount due is zero. Any programs to which you apply after 12:00 noon, Eastern Time in the United States, on Thursday, March 16, 2006 will be charged at the regular rate.
On Thursday, March 16, 2006, at 1:00 PM, the results of the Match will be announced. Programs may still have open positions, but most are filled during the two days leading up to this announcement (the official Scramble). Anything later than this date is referred to as Post-Scramble/Match.
During the two Scramble days, ECFMG will login to the ERAS PostOffice several times each day to retrieve your document assignments and program lists. We will process those lists and transmit your documents shortly thereafter. During the 48 hours of the Scramble, there is no time for manual processing. Your file must be ready for automatic processing by our system before the Scramble begins. That means:
At least one week before the Scramble, you must apply to at least one program (if you have already applied during the regular match you do not need to apply to any additional programs; you will already have a file at ECFMG for the match). If you are planning to apply during the post-Match Scramble only, you must still apply to at least one program about one week before the Scramble.
You must also make sure that all of your documents have been received and assigned, so that we can attach and transmit them before the Scramble.
If you are sending us new or replacement LoRs, we must have them one week prior to the Scramble, so that we have time to attach them. If you have a new, additional LoR, assign it to one of your original programs. This gives us time to attach it before the Scramble. During the Scramble we will not have time to do it. If you are sending us a replacement LoR from the same writer, attach a note to it that reads, "This replaces the previous LoR." Otherwise, we might mistake it for another copy of the one we have already scanned and discard it without scanning.
After that, your ECFMG file is ready for the Scramble. Thus ECFMG effectively serves as your "Dean's Office" as in a US school, forwarding your documents to the programs you desire.
If you are scrambling for a residency position and the programs prefers receiving information from YOU via FAX, you must:
a: have a phone with a good connection and the ability to call long distance (ie, programs will not be taking collect calls)
b: access to a FAX machine, again which allows you to send information long distance or even out of the country if you aren't in the US for the scramble.
c. have GOOD copies of your entire NRMP application - this includes transcripts, letters of rec (to be sent either from the letter writer, your school, or ECFMG; do not send them personally as this will invalidate any statements that you have waived your right to see the letters, personal statement, USMLE scores.
d. be prepared to either accept an invitation to interview or a position ON THE SPOT. They generally will not allow you time to decide.
Do not be surprised if program offices do not answer their phones or emails on the Scramble days. As an example, my program got HUNDREDS of FAXes, emails and phone calls a few years back when we had an open position. There is no way the administrative staff can answer the phones and actually get some work done. Therefore, if you know you haven't or won't match, then have your information together and if you've contacted programs prior to the Scramble and they prefer a FAX rather than ERAS, then just send the stuff to them. Do not underestimate just showing up at a program if you are in the vicinity during the Scramble.
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| chemamr
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 excellent information laloblum, in fact, itīs the most complete post about scramble i have read. thanks a lot. Unfortunately  i suspect iīll have to use this information (match look good). 
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| chemamr
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Wow, iīm already an Elite member. , it feels good. I know itīs only a name but it feels good . Itīs been worth it, i have learned a lot of things and known many people (like this great MEXICAN community) thanks to this forum.
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| SilatK
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Jajajaja
Funny chema!
Good lucks you guys I wish the best and hope that in September 2006 you chema, lorena, laloblum, and anyone else who is applying for this years match, that you be writing to us from a hospital where you will be doing your residency. Hasta mariposas siento que de pensar eso. GOOD LUCK AND WISH YOU THE BEST!!!
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| chemamr
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thanks for the wishes. Though i will probably have to wait for the next match to enter to my residency. But i believe all the others will get a position. 
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| laloblum
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Exactly 1 month to the match..... Those of you who are participating on the match or in the sramble have to post your "rank order list" before febuary 22nd....
Just a friendly reminder!!
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| Lorena
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Thanks for the scramble info laloblum and silatk for your wishes
I need your advice guys, please read and help me with this 
As you know I got 5 IM interviews and 5 FM, from them I prefer IM so I am considering 2 options and this is killing me 
1.- Rank all my programs, the 10 of them and that way I am sure I will match somewhere.
or
2.- Rank only my IM programs and risk of not matching at all but then scramble for IM
I know option 1 sounds more reasonable, but I would be kind a disappointed if I match in FM and then find out that there were some programs in california for IM that got unfilled. Last year's in california only 3 positions unfilled
I dont want to even consider the fact of not matching at all or not getting anything in scramble...but it is pretty darn possible if I only rank 5 IM programs ...i dont know what to do!!!
A cousin of my husband who is a surgeon here in the US is advising me about the second option...he is encouraging me to take the risk, and my husband too, but I am having a hard time to be that "adventurous"!!
They are also telling me that if I dont get a residency position at all, there is always next year and that if I got all these interviews without the Cali letter , now that I have it , will get interviews as well...it seems they are pretty cool about it but I am not... as I said I DONT want to be left with nothing this year. I cannot wait to start a residency.
What would you guys/gals do in my case and why? do you think It is worth the risk?
This is very important for me. Thank you!
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| Mxshrink
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Lorana, at the end, you are the only one who can decide on this, but if you are not going to be happy with FP, dont rank them. If you see your self as FP then go ahead. Anyway, 5 interviews seem enough to get into IM. You know I would be lying if I would say that I am sure youll get in, but I can tell you that most probably youll get in to IM.
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| Medusin
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Lorena as Mxshrink, that is a decision only you can take. Listen to others for advice but ultimately do what you feel is right.
However in my humble opinion I would take the risk. Why? Because you have to fight to achieve your dreams, even if that means taking risks.
ĻDo not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little course, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice. Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.Ļ ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
ĻDon't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase - that's what wild geese are for. Ļ ~Author Unknown
ŋSi no luchas por tus sueņos, ŋquien los hara realidad?Ļ
-Carlos Olivares
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| chemamr
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my 2 cents: (i've learned that phrase )
Lorena, we had a talk about it, if you bet to the scramble or unfilled positions during the year, it's like bet to the lottery, it's at random. I would rank first the IM programs and at the end, maybe only your favorite (or all) FM programs. I guess it's better to" match "(even in FM) than to not "match". that's my opinion. But if you got only FM, it would be temporary, you should apply to IM the next match or the next next match.
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| laloblum
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Well, there is something very important... do not "match" just to "match". If your life is IM, go with IM... you have a huge advantange to match just in IM....don't waste it.
Because if you don't love FP they you will feel frustated if you match there, and you have to enter the program... you will live the most miserable 3 years of your life.
I had a huge oportuninity on a FP program, that I surely will had match... but it was FP... Even do it was an option, my life was in pediatrics, so that is the way I choosed.
Now... I don't know your visa status, but if you enter a residency program that you don't like, you can change once for those with a J1 visa.
At the end Lorena, you have fought so hard to pass those exams, you have struggle to get were you are... Give yourself a gift and stay were you really want to be... to make all of your hard work the true meaning about your life.
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| Lorena
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Your advice means a lot to me
Mxshrink...I am praying and really hope 5 IM are enough to match. That would be the end of my worries. I am still thinking about it but I will probably take "the risk" of getting my coat torn or soiled...thanks medusin for your quotes...very motivating.
Chema....in some years we will laugh at all this, wont we? thank you my friend
Lalo, I dont have a visa issue, I am a GC holder so that is another advantage...congratulations again for getting your dream come true! and for your support in this forum.
all the best for all of you
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| SilatK
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Lorena,
Escoge INTERNAL Medicine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have a big, huge advantage over some other IMG'S. By any chance is UCSF on your list? Youl will get into IM here in Cali so go for it.
I know some people who took Step 1 and Step 2 more than once and there in a IM program right now. One even got into IM on prematch and she took Step 1 3 TIMES!!!! None of them apply to Cali do to the letter and one was interested in staying in Texas instead. But they would have gotten a place in Cali too.
Asi que take IM!!!!!!!!!
Buena suerte and hope to see around the area in June(Napa).
What programs are you ranking? If you do not mind telling me.
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