This New York Times article, “Job Prospects are Dimming for Radiology Trainees” is worth reading. It’s interesting how seemingly outside forces (overused emergency departments) can lead to job losses in another specialty. It’s also worth noting (and troubling to see) that despite declining job openings for radiologists, there is even more competition for many residency slots because the number of medical school graduates continues to grow. This relative dearth of residency positions represents the so-called bottle neck in the physician supply problem.
Blog Archives
ROAD to Nowhere?
AMSA Success
Thanks to everyone who attended my AMSA lecture. We had a standing-room only crowd. Your support is appreciated!
NRMP Rank Order List Certification Deadline
Just a reminder that applicants and programs must certify their rank order lists before February 22 at 9pm EST.
Please see my previous blog entry on creating a rank list. Don’t make the error of changing your rank order last minute based on panic! Your list should be a considered decision.
Tags: Rank Order
Pre-Match Offers
I received an urgent request from an applicant last week. He wanted to discuss a pre-match offer he had received that had a Friday deadline. The pre-match program was an academic institution, which was appealing, but the interview day had left the applicant underwhelmed for a number of reasons.
On the one hand, this offer was a sure thing. On the other, the applicant had noted what he considered to be red flags. He asked me what to do.
As usual, in life there is no right answer. But here are a few suggestions if offered a pre-match:
1. Ask for more time. In the worst case scenario, the program director says no. Nothing lost.
2. Try to move up any interviews you have not yet attended.
3. Contact the other program directors and let them know you have a pre-match offer and give them the deadline date. They may offer you a pre-match in return. Or – on the contrary – they may let you know they are not interested. Either would be helpful in making your decision.
4. Speak to residents who are at the pre-match program. Trainees will often readily tell you the weaknesses of their institution :). This information will help you make an informed decision.
5. Assess a) your risk-taking comfort zone and b) the strength of your candidacy. This step is probably the hardest, yet most important.
In the end, the applicant did not accept the pre-match offer and is crossing his fingers he’ll end up at another program he likes better. He is so relieved that – with the information he has now – the decision seems to have been the right one for him.
Medical School Competition
United States medical school enrollment is up for the eleventh consecutive year, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Check out this short article on the topic.
Tags: October 2009
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more
