Unmatched, Blessed, & Highly Favored

Yes, you are still blessed and yes, God still has favor in mind for you. You are worthy.

First of all, how are you? I know this path is hard because I, too, have walked it. That’s how I know it’s gonna be alright. I want to provide you all with some resources and ideas that helped me tremendously when I did not match right out of medical school. If you are wondering what happened with me during Match 2020, you can read more on that here. In this post, I want to provide insight into how I navigated my gap year. There really is not much information out there about what to do if you do not successfully match or SOAP into a program. Again, there is so much stigma attached to leaving med school unmatched and many who have walked that path did so in silence. As always, I choose to live out loud and serve as a resource for those coming up behind me. Keep reading for ideas on what to do if you did not match. Docs (and future Docs!), please let me know if there is anything I should add to this list. Here are the resources/options I discovered while trying to figure out my next step:

Post-SOAP Program Availability

This is where I started. Even after the SOAP process, there are programs with resident spots available. There are fewer openings and some specialties may not have anything open at all, but other programs are still out there if you are interested in matching in those. This is where you have to decide if you really want to be in a program—and maybe even a specialty—you initially did not want or if you want to wait it out and reapply the next cycle. There is a listing in the NRMP system on the SOAP page. This page has program names, emails, and phone numbers. After SOAP, you are able to contact the programs directly. I sent emails with my application materials from ERAS (yes in every email) and followed up with phone calls.

Find a Resident

I applied here at the same time I contacted programs on the NRMP Post-SOAP availability page. This program, run by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), allows you to upload your ERAS data and search for programs with open residency positions. This method of finding and applying to programs is a bit more organized and streamlined because the residencies can quickly and easily access your profile once you contact them. There is a fee to use this service and, in my experience, there were not a great deal of program openings left, but it may still be worth a try. Each year is different.

Physician Facebook Groups

This is where I went next. I joined this facebook group for physicians looking for jobs and open residency spots. The exact name of the group is Physician Jobs: Physician Jobs and Open Residency Spots. Especially March – August, doctors post open residency positions in this group. Usually the posts will list the program and a point of contact for you to email. Be sure to have copies of your letters of recommendation on hand because these contacts get emails FAST. If you can, have your transcript on hand too. I know schools do not typically provide copies of the MSPE, but explain to the Registrar that you are still applying to programs and must do so quickly so they can email in your information as fast as possible. This particular group is private, but all you have to do is answer a few questions to request access. Turn the group notifications on so you never miss a posted opportunity. This facebook group for Black doctors posts open residency spots too, just not as many as the group I mentioned above. Request access, turn on those notifications, and respond to the contacts ASAP.

Resident Swap

I just learned about this one. The program is similar to Find A Resident in that you can search through residency openings. If you matched, this program also allows you to swap residency positions with others who have matched. There is a fee for the subscription. I have not tried Resident Swap myself, but it does sound like a very worthwhile resource.

LinkedIn

When I realized I would be reapplying to the Match for 2021, I started looking for gap year employment opportunities. The first of the month comes around real fast when you’re #adulting. I updated my LinkedIn profile and searched for jobs there. Their search engine is pretty helpful and did provide a few good leads that ultimately invited me to interview.

The CDC Foundation

Getting a job with the CDC Foundation changed my life and the entire course of my gap year. At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were hiring for their COVID-19 Corps. My former classmate who was also taking a gap year let me know about this opportunity. A Real One. For the majority of my gap year, I served as a Case Investigator/Contact Tracer Team Lead and was, thereby, able to sustain my bills, my blog, and afford residency applications. The pay was nothing short of AMAZING! They have non-COVID related positions as well, so be sure to apply. The application process was extremely easy. I just answered a few questions and uploaded my CV.

And as a last resort:

This company has a call center contract with Kaiser Permanente and various forms of insurance. The application process was super quick. The interview was fast and laid back. The pay was marginally enough to cover my bills. I could have technically said I was working in health care if I had to go into residency interviews still performing this job. I was with this call center for 3 months and then I started working with the CDC Foundation.

I really hope these resources serve as somewhat of a blueprint for a circumstance that is rarely talked about. Don’t feel the need to start your next steps today or even tomorrow. Give yourself time to feel and even time to grieve if that’s what you need. Lord knows I did my fair share. Just know that you WILL be alright and you WILL make it through this. I’m a witness. And when you have your plans secured, I pray your gap year is the best year of your life (thus far). I know mine was. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or just want to vent. I’m here. I will follow up soon with another blog post on how to successfully match with uncompetitive stats.

Praying and rooting for everyone Non-Traditional.

xx,

Photos by Tina Smith