tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:01:42 +0000Tips for the post-match rush for grabbing medical residency positions across the USA - U prepared yet ? <br /><br />***International Copyright***http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/noreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)Blogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-6464253925019237124Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:09:00 +00002008-03-14T01:32:10.724-07:00This is in response to queries about whether the 'scramble' went on for 24 hours a day ! The only times that are officially specified by the AAMC and NRMP for the scramble are the start time and the end time: For Example, for the 2008 Post-Match scramble, Start: March 18, 2008 at 12:00 noon , EST End: March 20, 2008 at 12:00 noon, EST So..theoretically speaking, the scramble can go on for http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/03/what-are-scramble-hours-24-hours.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-2134595607483929320Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:21:00 +00002008-03-14T09:20:26.199-07:00This has been long past due, but since we still have rumors on the ability of the so-called 'NRMP match trick' in predicting the match result, here's to show how the survey data looked I had passed it along after the 2007 residency match: # of Candidates that Got logged out = 154 Of these, Accepted Prematch = 2 Did Not Match : ROL Not Submitted = 5 Did Not Match : ROL Submitted = 52 Matched : http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/03/2007-nrmp-match-trick-survey-results.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-712266576685258735Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:10:00 +00002008-12-10T05:38:31.063-08:00Since pictures can often talk louder & faster than words alone, for once I am gonna shut up and let a flowchart do the talking instead. Here Goes: (Click to Expand ) To those who would still like only words and snobbishly ignore my work of art ;-) - Click Here to Read about the Scramble Processhttp://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/03/graphical-overview-of-scramble-process.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-6301298294515967135Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:07:00 +00002008-03-10T23:55:59.365-07:00In case you missed it, AAMC announced an increase in the number of unfilled positions to which participants in the Post-Match Scramble may apply using ERAS, starting March 2008. The new limit has been raised to 45 Programs where Thirty (30) of those programs can be new programs where the applicant had not applied during the normal application season while fifteen (15) can be programs to which http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/03/eras-scramble-application-quota.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-5585498923771116098Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:46:00 +00002008-03-02T07:49:09.803-08:00This is a preference that is generally said to be true with variations of course. 1. Contacts - Yeah, the all powerful 'contact' once again emerges big, like a phone call / email from a close friend of a program director, dean of a medical school (AMGs), or an important grant-fetcher faculty within the program, or an important external physician who refers a lot of physicians to a program, etc. http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/03/preference-of-candidates-during.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-929731398311745511Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:46:00 +00002008-03-16T15:54:00.711-07:00PollsThough the poll is not done yet and will be ongoin', I shall keep updating the latest counts on a daily basis. Total Votes so far: 757 IMG residency = 16.6%FMG America = 0.3%Residency Place = 13.5%Electronic Residency = 21.1%IMG Prep = 4.4%Others = 1.6%Doing it By Myself = 42.5% Note: Since someone emailed me a doubt, ElectronicResidency.com is NOT affiliated to, or a part of the AAMC's ERAShttp://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/02/poll-results-2008-preferred-scramble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-685398968268801946Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:05:00 +00002008-02-10T20:11:25.706-08:00For the sake of clarity, let's take a look at the categories of candidates who will be allowed access the list of Unfilled programs during the scramble period. Here, the word 'Registered' implied Registered for the NRMP Match. 1. Registered candidates who did not match to any position 2. Registered candidates who matched only to preliminary position but had specified an advanced position on the http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/02/who-is-allowed-access-to-list-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-7688409576636669926Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:28:00 +00002008-02-04T23:52:07.813-08:00Hello people ! Bracin' up for the match yet ? Do you feel the passing time getting longer and patience getting shorter? Probably a bad time to remind you fellas of the post-match scramble - but being prepared is ...well being prepared :-) With your documents resting with the ECFMG, many USMLEtoMD readers had a question about getting those documents back on time for the scramble. As most of you http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/02/return-of-documents-service-post-match.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-6135565605679704722Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:30:00 +00002008-02-01T16:33:05.543-08:00PollsI had put a similar poll earlier on this blog - but an observant reader warned of a sudden 1-day rise in votes on certain categories suspecting a "vote-fraud" - Hence in addition I am also restarting the Poll on my own Forum meant for registered users - allowing me better IP tracking and filtering seemingly spam votes. Go Here to Vote for the 2008 Post Match Scramble Preference & See Results Ifhttp://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2008/01/poll-preferred-post-match-scramble_21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-5830333774941034952Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:41:00 +00002007-12-08T04:17:14.507-08:00If time-travel were indeed possible, for some applicants it would be a most desirable fantasy to be able to travel back to those pre-1975 years when the number of residency positions actually exceeded the number of applicants...complete the training and then zoom back in to the present age to apply for board certification ;-) I had a couple of emails from anxious IMGs already inquiring about thehttp://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/12/list-of-unfilled-positions-in-nrmp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-258500059572802367Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:05:00 +00002007-10-21T17:18:45.175-07:00Scramble Timetable Match Status Day: March 17th, 2008 at 12:00 noon Eastern Time (i.e. New York Time) (Applicants get to know whether they matched or no - they do not get to know WHERE they matched - unless of course a candidate only had ONE program on his / her Rank Order List ) 2008 Scramble Start Date & Time: March 18, 2008 at 12:00 noon Eastern Time 2008 Scramble End Date & Time: Thursday, http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/10/timetable-for-2008-post-match-residency.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-1133884146825036010Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:24:00 +00002007-10-21T17:05:23.638-07:00This post is especially relevant to candidates who do not participate in a given Match since there scores, documents, etc. were not ready at the time of applying (i.e. previous September) but are ready to apply by the time of the Scramble (i.e current or upcoming March ). These candidates are in an understandable fix as to whether they give scramble a shot instead of having to wait for an entire http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/10/eligibility-criteria-for-participating.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-4437956775773894095Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:51:00 +00002008-03-04T21:03:34.200-08:00NRMP TrickThe problem with my digitaldoc2002@gmail.com inbox is that I am finding it next to impossible to reply to, and at times even read, each one of the daily 30-50 emails and/or blog comments I receive. But hell - who am I to complain, at least the situation ain't as bad as God's Inbox...;-) Not that I am comparing myself to God - and surely not claiming legal status as God - as this dude from Mumbai http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/03/nrmp-match-trick-or-is-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-1874602848136053556Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:50:00 +00002007-09-11T17:50:56.016-07:00It's rather humorous and possibly bordering to the point of being ridiculous to wind up such a systematic, scientific and a sophisticated system like the residency Match with something as crude and almost barbaric like the Post-Match Scramble ! Indeed, back in 2005, a proposal was made to replace the scramble with a more saner "second match" instead, but the NRMP board of directors declined to http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/03/second-match-versus-scramble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-6083758553659175434Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:48:00 +00002007-09-11T17:49:47.736-07:00 The unfilled programs lists are no longer available in the public domain. Yet, Having information about the unfilled programs of the previous year (and maybe even a year before the previous) does offer a key advantage to those who have it before the scramble officially starts - Why ? Because, that unfilled program of the last year is very likely to have an unfilled position this year and when http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/03/getting-hang-of-unfilled-positions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-2620235363551193630Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:37:00 +00002007-09-11T17:39:49.480-07:00The Survey Was Conducted During the 2007 Scramble Season - which Proved to us that there was no such thing as the "NRMP" Trick Shall put up the statistics Soon What is the NRMP MATCH TRICK http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/03/2007-nrmp-match-trick-authenticity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-5283762935793835670Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:32:00 +00002007-09-11T17:33:12.749-07:00Though not strictly necessary, it does add a flavor of professionalism and even saves time when you send in an application - since you may simply copy-paste the cover letter as the email body. Here's a sample cover letter, which as I said, will serve as the body for the email or as the first page to be faxed : (American Graduates should make the necessary adjustments) "Dear Program Director /http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/03/sample-cover-letter-for-scramble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-3599370923965057712Sat, 03 Feb 2007 01:43:00 +00002007-09-11T17:45:02.563-07:00FMGAmeicaScramble ServicesA year back, I had read somewhere on Google answers (or was it Google groups) about a reader complaining bad business with FMG America, saying that they did not return calls once they got the money. I refrained from putting anything on the blog for want of more solid information - until, a reader pointed out a source online which clearly indicates customer resent with the company. The Better http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/02/warning-about-fmg-america-scramble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-5036487774380044674Sat, 03 Feb 2007 01:41:00 +00002007-09-11T17:42:47.767-07:00PollsHere's how the figures are stacking up for the 2007 Season : Total Votes So Far = 246 (Polls Closed) Electronic Residency = 25.5% FMG America = 4.5% IMG Residency = 5.7 % IMG Prep = 2.4% Residency Place = 0.8% PGY1MD = 1.2% Others = 0.4% Doin' it Myself = 59.5% Interesting........ with most people http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2007/02/preffered-post-match-scramble-service.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-2131054319876704676Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:08:00 +00002007-09-11T18:10:08.403-07:00IMGsOne part of the reason is logical in that there are simply more applicants. But there are other more confounding reasons that add to reducing the overall probability getting a scramble position a. The number of positions available for the scramble will be lower this year- why ? coz year 2006 saw a significant number of programs making earlier prematch offers pretty early and candidates were http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2006/02/why-is-post-match-scramble-getting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-6472530972511721705Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:05:00 +00002007-09-11T18:07:41.991-07:00Scramble TimetableWhen Mid-March arrives, and all those registered with the NRMP match who submitted a Rank Order Lists (ROL) of residency programs, will be informed by email of their match outcome. This email from NRMP will have a subject-line that will say "Did I match ?" [ We must compliment NRMP's cheekiness to maintain suspense in the heat of the moment ;-) ] But their attempt to maintain the suspense does http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2006/02/post-match-scramble-timeline.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-2752756041118005696Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:04:00 +00002008-03-10T23:53:58.583-07:00 This is how it will work: 1. NRMP publishes list of Unfilled programs on NRMP.org (u will see those after you login). This list is 'Dynamic' in the sense that it updates every one hour to tell you the tally of seats remaining. 2. The first thing you do is make that call to your programs in the order of preference! Some people 'employ' multiple friends to make calls via their cell phones as http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2006/02/post-match-scramble-process.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-3948505565814607955Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:02:00 +00002007-09-11T18:03:45.960-07:00 This post obviously applies to people who may not be able to be in USA during the scramble for want of a visa. During the scramble, everything occurs over the phone and programs usually do not arrange for an interview in person No time baby!, unless you happen to stay in the area and they like your profile. They have to make quick decisions about candidates in just those 2 scramble days. Beinghttp://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2006/02/do-you-need-to-be-in-usa-for-scramble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-6464231147811535139Fri, 03 Feb 2006 02:00:00 +00002007-09-11T18:02:18.177-07:00FaxingDocuments Whats a 'Fax' anyway ? Well, as most of us know - the word is derived from 'facsimile' - which in Latin means 'to make something similar'. A Fax machine transmits an image of a document to another fax machine, which then prints the same image on fresh paper at another location, making it appear as if the document actually traveled. Here's the catch - how about pre-storing the images of your http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2006/02/smarter-faxing-efax.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686458566583885813.post-4957301169388093374Fri, 03 Feb 2006 01:59:00 +00002007-09-11T18:00:15.819-07:00DocumentsBoth you and me know very well that any chance of success on the post-match scramble depends heavily on having an edge over the others and advance preparations. Here's a list of the documents you can begin to keep prepared - you will be faxing these documents to programs on that day ! Why ? coz' ERAS is only used for the Match - not for the Post-Match Scramble. (Technically, ERAS can and may http://www.usmletomd.com/scramble/2006/02/documents-to-keep-ready.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Digitaldoc, MD)10