The battle of the residency programs database services
Have you seen this message
Scary and exciting at the same time. The hunting season for residency is just around the corner. Prepare your ammunition and get ready to give your best shot.
I don’t know about you guys, but I faced huge problems researching the programs. First, I decided to look up the information on the websites. Yes, but some of the websites are really confusing, some don’t give enough information. OK, next step is emailing the programs. Some of them send automatic email, some send an attachment with the requirements, and some even don’t bother to reply. After 20 emails sent and received, the whole process of researching becomes very messy. What else you can do? Call the programs? Very good answer, but try to phone and get information summer time, just before the match. In other words, I found researching the programs yourself is the best, but it will take me so much time, and there are so many not very clear points, that I decided to get a program’s list and I did so. I have no regrets now. I did extensive research online, and picked Match-A-Resident. However, there are many other services out there . Which one did you choose?
Update: All p4u members get an exclusive 20% discount from Match-A-Resident using this code at checkout: PREP4USMLE.
USMLEMD 
Hi! What exactly do you need these websites for? Are they authoritative and reliable? You are talking about the US right, not Canada?
Hi Alberto,
These websites are only for USA. They help you to narrow down the programs in which you have better chances to match. You enter your information, scores, year of graduation, etc. and they will give you a list of programs that match your credentials. It’s saves time, but for some programs you still need to call, or email the program coordinators to clarify some points.
I have MAR and I love them and their support. If you have not called the programs yet i recommend them alot.
Hey dokidok,
I have a question. I am going to apply to the Match with only my Step 1 score, which is not that great (229/95) and a Pass in the CS all first attempts. I am going to do my CK at the end of September.
My question is this, does match a resident also filters out those programs that require all scores to be available? Can it generate a list based on one score? Second of all, I have two months of Canadian elective experience during my sixth year at med school. On the Match a resident website, I see only the option of “Do you have US clinical experience?”. Should I check it as a Yes or as a No? Especially given the fact that I have visited many programs’ websites, and many clearly state that they are ok with either Canadian or US experience.
I know my chances are slim going with one score, so I need to maximize them as much as possible.
@doomestic: sorry for the late response. You probably got some good ansers from the prep4usmle forum. This is what I think on your situation. Your step 1 score is excellent. Don’t worry about that now, there are many other things to consider in order to get matched. Another good thing is that you passed CS from the very first try.
The problem is that you are not ECFMG certified. As far as I know you are going to write Step 2 CK in the end of September, which means in the best scenario you will be ECFMG certified in late October, or may be the beginning of November. The programs already have enough good candidates who are certified. Don’t also forget the doctors that didn’t much last year. They had one whole year to finish Step 3 and to do some more observer-ships and find connections.
Anyways, there is no room for panic or discouragement. You are still fresh grad, Canadian and US experience, perfect English, and very good scores. In your case you could apply for the sake of applying and see how everything goes. There is nothing to lose, considering some bucks of course. I wouldn’t apply widely, it is going to be too late. I would keep my money for the next year, when I will be in better position to hit on time the 2011 match. Also, you will have Step 3 under your belt, which makes you very strong candidate for hospitals with better reputation.
I wish you all the best, but be careful. You also need same as step 1 or better score on step 2 ck. If you rush now, there is a risk to end up with a lower score that will stay forever in your credentials. You make the decision for yourself.
MaR doesn’t give an option to make a customized list without one of the scores, but you can put something just to see how many hospitals you will get.
I didn’t consider my Canadian experience as USCE, because it is not, even if they say it might be considered as US experience. Of course they may prefer a candidate with Canadian experience (just because Americans know that the country Canada is across the border, and it is full with polar bears…just kidding) compare to a candidate with experience from a country which is somewhere on the globe. No offense here, just personal opinion.
BTW, I got one interview from the MaR customized list.