Flashback: Match Day

For those who may or may not be familiar, Match Day is the day that fourth year medical students in the United Stated and countries abroad find out where they will be training in their chosen specialty. It is a little different than a graduate from college/university landing a decent job. Matching into a residency not only means having a “job”, it means having a program willing to accept you as a trainee in order for you to prepare for your future position- becoming an attending physician. Think of it like an apprenticeship, internship, career, training, and place of employment all rolled into one after years of studying, endless rounds of exams, accruing a significant amount of debt, enduring many professional interviews, mastering the skill of presenting yourself as a well-rounded student, and perfecting the art of committing to delayed gratification.

It is a monumental experience with a lot of emotions and a lot of “what if” scenarios of all the ways it could go wrong. One of the biggest “what if” scenario is not matching- which leads to a very difficult and demanding process called “SOAP”(formerly known as the “Scramble”). SOAP(ing) is considered the last resort to finding a residency spot, and if that does not work, then the next step is to find a way to “keep busy” until the next application cycle the following year. Why is the process so stressful for medical students who truly have a passion for medicine in an age where the demand for physicians is only increasing? Alas, I will defer that conversation for now, but in the meantime check out this article from a future surgeon in the making: https://www.vox.com/22989930/residency-match-physician-doctor-shortage-pandemic-medical-school

Thinking back on the recent Match Day that just passed, I am challenged to reflect on my experience during Match Day in the middle of a pandemic- March 2020.

I remember that Monday so clearly. I woke up in anticipation, waiting for the final verdict. Have I matched? Or will I have to endure the arduous process of SOAP? When 8am, 8:15am, 8:30am came and went I remember that sinking feeling in my chest. I gathered my resolve, slid on my shoes, grabbed my purse, left my dorm room, and started my trek to the Dean’s office. As I attempted to keep my head up for the walk to campus, I remembered the disappointment and, if I am being honest, an oddly familiar feeling of “well, what did I expect?”. My medical school journey was not easy, and I think I had grown familiar with things not working out smoothly or as planned. The disappointment of things not working out had become an unwanted friend one that accompanied me as I was on my way to meet my fate.

When I reached the office, I spoke with the one of the assistants. I didn’t even offer her an opportunity to ask the obvious. After the appropriate pleasantries, I ripped off the band aid and said, “I didn’t match.”

I am not sure what I expected her to say, but I definitely didn’t expect her follow-up question, “did you check your junk mail”? Dumbfounded this thought did not cross my mind earlier, I shamelessly opened my email and checked my junk folder right away.

Figuring that there really wasn’t any decorum left to offer, I released a relieved shout of delight when I realized that nestled in my junk folder near the top was a message stating that I matched.

To be honest, I probably didn’t give anyone a second thought as I practically danced my way back to the dorm to begin the trail of phone calls to my loved ones about the good news.

For those I know who went through the process this year, my heart it filled with joy at all the amazing fourth year medical students who matched whether it was through the conventional process or through SOAP(ing). I can image the relief of knowing that the next step is known and that all the years of hard work paid off so far.

For those who didn’t match, know that your story is no less valuable and meaningful. I don’t have any cliché words to say, so I will simply keep it real. I may never fully understand what it feels like to be in that position and I fully respect the complexity of emotion as well as the challenges you are facing this year. The only reminder I want to offer you is this- do not forget to check your junk mail. Your opportunities, successes, and dreams coming true may not look the way you planned but that doesn’t mean that doors aren’t opening for you. The message you were hoping for may not have arrived as of yet, but perhaps there is something valuable for you in this present moment.

Feel what is you need to feel, do what it is you need to do, and seek the comfort, wisdom, and counsel you need to get through this season. Others may have missed out on the gift of having you in their program, but do not allow that to cause you to forget who you are, how worthy you are, and the amazing plan already set and designed for your life.

Match Day is not an easy time for many different reasons for many different people; hopefully, just as it has for me, may it serve as an opportunity to reflect on all you have accomplished and all of the great things yet to come (even if it may not come the way you expect it).

What are your thoughts?