April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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I scrambed last year and wish to share my experience.
First, if you are looking to scramble, please dont be disheartened. Stay positive. It may seem like the end of the world, and I have been there. Heres my story- I am an old graduate, who never intended to live/ work in the United States. I specialized in Ophthalmology in my country and loved it. I had to follow my husband here. It had been several years since I had graduated and I was not even sure if I could pass USMLE let alone score competetively. So I thought of doing a PhD.
As luck would have it, I completed GRE and TOEFL after the application deadline for PhD and not to waste my time, did some volunteer work in a immunology lab in the University. It was very eye opening for me. I was browsing the forum and read the frustration of user "white rabbit", I can identify on some level. I fed mice, injected their bellies, killed them after 1 or 3 days, took their peritoneal fluid and performed ELISA on it. More than 90% of the data I gathered was useless! I respect and admire people who do that daily, but I knew I could not find joy doing that all day every day.
So next year, instead of applying for PhD, I decided to study for USMLE. It was a slow and painstaking process as I knew of no one in my position around me. I gathered the materials and started studying solo. Then I found this website. Found much inspiration and motivation here and some friends too. Worked hard and over 2 years, I completed all 3 steps and CS with decent scores in late 80s and early 90s.
I spent 4 months as an observer in Ophthalmology in the University and was very hopeful that I will get Ophthalmology residency position. I had wonderful LORs from the faculty. I also applied for IM and did some interviews. Though it was clear from my resume that my interest was Ophthalmology, I prepared well for IM interviews and thought those went well too. I had 4 interviews, but had a very good feeling about each of them. I found out I did not match for Ophthal in January as the SF match results come early and also, to my complete horror, found I did not even match with IM!
Scramble seemed as hopeful as winning the jackpot, but what did I have to lose? I was very dejected but decided that I will have time to be depressed later and decided to try for scramble with all I had. I got as much information as I could gather and prepared my papers in advance. I was going to apply for IM, FP, Peds, Path and Psych. Got a separate set for each specialty. When I got the list of unmatched positons, I found that there was an oepning in FP in a place two hours away and decided to go there in person. I was lucky that the program director met with me immediately when I reached there (the LORS from the local University may have carried some weight there). He let me talk wtih some of the residents there and the staff gave me an impomptu tour. I knew I had done all that I could have and got back home. The PD gave me his card and ofcourse, I knew his e-mail. He said he was going to meet with some more candidates and get in touch with me within the week.
Two days later, no news. I was beginning to lose hope. I called the secretary and she said that she will get him to call me back. I thought "Yeah, right", but he actually called me back and explained that he was still in the middle of selection process. Next afternoon, I remember this like it was yesterday, I get a call and the secretary asks me if I would be willing to accept the residency position. I could hardly believe it! I was thrilled beyond words. All my desolation began to lift- I had been feeling really sorry for myself as being an old graduate, I could not think of what more I could do to improve my prospects for IM next year. Ophthal was out of the question as I had already given it my best shot. When I found I had matched, I thanked God and danced around the house.
Now here I am, almost exactly a year later. I love Family Practice, a specialty I did not even consider applying for in the match. I guess it was all meant to be exactly as it happened. Probably if I had matched here, I would not have been content.
For all of you waiting to scramble,
1. Stay positive and give it your all.
2. If there is an opening in a place close enough to where you can drive, go there in person as you dont have anything to lose and the PD apreciated my initiative.
3. If you did not scramble, please dont lose hope. Try to improve your CV and try again next year.
Good luck to all!
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| ladydocz
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 50
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I am also an old grad.Ophthal PG who followed husband here.I have no USCE.NO US LORs.scores 221/236/cs awaited./step 3 in june/Any advice is appreciated.
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| manolok
Forum Elite
Topics: 71
Posts: 231
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That is very encouraging! But my only question is if you go travel to the program you may waste time traveling when you could be calling programs for a spot on scramble day.
Isn't that a gamble?
How did this really go down? Did you get in touch with the PD/Program and let them know you wanted to come and visit before you went down ? Or did you see that the position was open on scramble day, abandoned your post and went straight to the program?
I want to take your advice because, there are several programs that actually are close to me that may participate in the scramble. In the event they do, I can certainly drive there.
But on the same token, I don't want to miss any opportunities looking for a position.
let us know.
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Hi
Its so nice of you april to drop by and write these encouraging words. I know how amazing a person you are. Guys i can personally vouch for this experience and i was so amazed when it happened but then if you this much courage good things are bound to happen. my best wishes to you april and anybody who is going to attempt the scramble. If only i was a moderator i would have made this sticky as some of your earlier posts had been.
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In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
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| Anamgarcia
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 211
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Thanks april... we all need success stories at this point. I have not being able to keep the tears inside, I am terribly disappointed....
but I will try. Pray for me!
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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All the best to you, Ladydocz. You will never know if you will get an Ophthal spot until you try!
Manolok, I did take a big chance by driving to the nearest place that had an opening. But before I left, I did send my resume to 25 other programs with open spots in 4 or 5 neighboring states. I had only one phone message when I got back home, asking me to call them back at a cell phone number if I was still interested and no e-mail responses at all. I tried to get in touch with the program that I eventually matched with, but spoke only to the operator and found that PD was still in the building. I did not want to try to speak to the PD and have him say "leave your papers with the secretary" and that is exactly what he could have said even when I presented in person. Like I said, I am thankful it worked out and this is just one experience. It would be nice if more people posted their scramble experience as there are likely lot of people looking for the optioins in this regard.
Kingsofke,  Thanks for all your advice and support!
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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All the best to you, Ladydocz. You will never know if you will get an Ophthal spot until you try!
Manolok, I did take a big chance by driving to the nearest place that had an opening. But before I left, I did send my resume to 25 other programs with open spots in 4 or 5 neighboring states. I had only one phone message when I got back home, asking me to call them back at a cell phone number if I was still interested and no e-mail responses at all. I tried to get in touch with the program that I eventually matched with, but spoke only to the operator and found that PD was still in the building. I did not want to try to speak to the PD and have him say "leave your papers with the secretary" and that is exactly what he could have said even when I presented in person. Like I said, I am thankful it worked out and this is just one experience. It would be nice if more people posted their scramble experience as there are likely lot of people looking for the optioins in this regard.
Kingsofke, Thanks for all your advice and support!
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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All the best to you, Ladydocz. You will never know if you will get an Ophthal spot until you try!
Manolok, I did take a big chance by driving to the nearest place that had an opening. But before I left, I did send my resume to 25 other programs with open spots in 4 or 5 neighboring states. I had only one phone message when I got back home, asking me to call them back at a cell phone number if I was still interested and no e-mail responses at all. I tried to get in touch with the program that I eventually scrambled with, but spoke only to the operator and found that PD was still in the building. I did not want to try to speak to the PD and have him say "leave your papers with the secretary" and that is exactly what he could have said even when I presented in person. Like I said, I am thankful it worked out and this is just one experience. It would be nice if more people posted their scramble experience as there are likely lot of people looking for the optioins in this regard.
Kingsofke, Thanks for all your advice and support!
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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All the best to you, Ladydocz. You will never know if you will get an Ophthal spot until you try!
Manolok, I did take a big chance by driving to the nearest place that had an opening. But before I left, I did send my resume to 25 other programs with open spots in 4 or 5 neighboring states. I had only one phone message when I got back home, asking me to call them back at a cell phone number if I was still interested and no e-mail responses at all. I tried to get in touch with the program that I eventually scrambled with, but spoke only to the operator and found that PD was still in the building. I did not want to try to speak to the PD and have him say "leave your papers with the secretary" and that is exactly what he could have said even when I presented in person. Like I said, I am thankful it worked out and this is just one experience. It would be nice if more people posted their scramble experience as there are likely lot of people looking for the optioins in this regard.
Kingsofke, Thanks for all your advice and support!
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| Anamgarcia
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 211
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April.... thanks for your kindness... and for trying to help.
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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Anamgarcia, I empathize and am praying for you. Hope things work out for you.
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| anastamosis
Forum Senior
Topics: 34
Posts: 167
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I guess April74 didnt need a VISA for residency. For those who need a Visa, Scramble is not very helpful.
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THE HIGHER YOU AIM, THE HIGHER YOU REACH !! My contacts are as follows ==> yahoo id --> anastamosis_e2e;gmail id --> anastamosis;Skype id --> anastamosis
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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I did need a visa and got H1 too. Visa issue was not discussed during the interview and I was ready for anything. Thankfully, got H1.
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| Anamgarcia
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 211
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April... your prayers are greately appreciated they did not work for getting a position, but they may save my heart and my family.
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| April74
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
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Anamgarcia, please take time to grieve as I know how disappointing it is to work so hard towards a goal and not see it materialize. Please keep trying too. I know someone who was selected 3 weeks after match date with no communication until. Also do work on a strategy to improve your chances for next year- externship, research etc. I know this is way easier said than done.
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| promoter
Forum Senior
Topics: 33
Posts: 156
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april  a very encouraging post indeed.
and yes,it is true what they say about destiny and karma. After my own experience and other similar second hand experiences....I am a believer...!
GL all! the key is persistance.
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