Blog Post Focus
This blog post focuses on considerations for the partially matched resident. That is, someone who applied for advanced positions and an initial training year who only matched for one and not both. It can be a particularly distressing situation and one that has a dearth of information on. Here are some thoughts on the matter.
Partial Matching for Residency
Partial matching indicates that someone who applied for both an advanced spot and an initial training year (preliminary year vs transitional year vs traditional rotating internship*) only matched to one. The applicant either matched to an advanced spot without an initial training year or the applicant matched to the initial training year without an advanced spot.
Partial matching for residency is tough. More than tough. It is a moment of realization that all planning to this point has been unsuccessful and that in a short amount of time so much more must be figured out.
Partial Matching into an Initial Training Year versus an Advanced Spot
Getting the Initial Training Year
Partially matching into an initial training year means that the first year of training is secured, but the advanced training spot was not secured. This is unfortunate, but the initial year of training has been secured. This means that no matter what that spot is available for the applicant. They may or may not be able to still match into the advanced training spot.
Getting the Advanced Training Spot
Partially matching into an advanced training spot means that the initial training year was not secured. Although this position is matched it is a dependent match. It is dependent on finding that initial training year. If an initial training year has not been secured, then the advanced spot will be lost.
Options for the Applicants Who Partially Matched into Initial Training Year
For the applicant who matched into an initial training year, but not an advanced year, they have several options.
First, one can try to establish the advanced position in the SOAP. If obtained, all of residency training has been secured.
Continue as a Categorical Resident vs Try Again
Depending on the program with which they have matched they can try to continue on in that program as a categorical resident, try again that following year with the upcoming residency application cycle, check into any advanced positions that possibly open up that year, or look for positions to fill outside the residency match.
Full Training Secured as a Categorical Resident
If one has matched to a preliminary year in medicine it may be possible to sign a contract with that institution to instead become a categorical resident in the medicine program. With this option, full residency training is secured. This may also be possible with a surgical year program.
Attempting to Match Again During the Initial Year of Training
If one has matched to an initial training year, then one may also try to find an advanced position outside the match or takeover a vacated advanced position within the match.
Finally, one can try to match again in the following year or in the future. One can repeat trying to find both a one-year position followed by an advanced year spot, or can apply directly with an R-spot (reserved for physician). Finally, one can sign a contract to complete residency in the specialty of that initial training year and apply a year in advance for an advance spot, or in their final year for an R-spot.
Options for Applicants Who Partially Matched into Advanced Positions
For the applicants who matched an advanced training spot, but not the initial training year, the options are more limited.
Limited Options
The advanced spot is dependent on matching to an initial training year. The options in this case are to find a spot for an initial training year in the SOAP versus look for a spot outside the match.
Both these options are time limited. If an initial training year is not found at the conclusion of the SOAP, then the applicant loses the advanced training year position. At this point, one may apply again next year or look for positions outside the match.
General Thoughts on Partially Matched Applicants
Prepare and See About Other Specialty Options
Prepare as much as possible for residency applications. Have a strong application. Also, determine if there is another specialty you would be okay pursuing that is less competitive. It is easier to determine in advance the possibility of pursuing another specialty than having to face that decision and accept it come MATCH day.
Much Better to Be Matched Than Unmatched
It is much better to go matched than partially matched. However, if you are partially matched, reach out to your program and your medical school for additional support. Make a plan. Hopefully all goes well.
If at the end of the SOAP you remain partially matched or become unmatched, determine your plan for the coming cycle. Once someone has been unmatched once, each match cycle it is less and less likely to match. See if internal medicine or family medicine or pediatrics can be a decent enough fit for you. These tend to be less competitive than advanced spots and have many more openings. It is much better to complete residency training than it is to go unmatched.