How to select programs in the scramble

I know it's been a long and arduous process, but if you are scrambling, get ready for the final sprint.  By now you have probably at least browsed through the unmatched position list, but where to start?  Here are some steps which might help you break this down a little. 

1. Look for places for which you have already applied.  They might not be THE hospital you sent your original application to, but consider the possibility that they might be willing to consider you more seriously since you have already been vetted by their "sister" hospital.  Another reason I put this first is that you might be able to swing a rotation at the other hospital which first attracted you to the system.  This couldn't hurt if they have a PGY-2 you are interested in for next year as well.
2. Ask a few mentors for ideas.  They might know someone at one of the sites.  Make sure they know what you are looking for so they don't try to send you to a critical care place when you really want more of an ambulatory care place.  This means you need to give people copies of the unmatched list so that they can browse and do a little research.  As I was poking around, I found a former student from Henderson who is now in a completely different part of the country at a site with an unmatched slot.
3. Since you have a much smaller list than when you did this the first time around, consider a process of elimination vs. a process of adding sites to your list.  If you don't want home infusion, for example, you can cross off all of the "Critical Care Systems" slots.  If you are considering this program, give me a call, I know the director pretty well.
4. If you are thinking about a PGY-2 in an inpatient specialty, consider the benefits of a good solid well-rounded PGY-1 experience at a community hospital.  If they offer the basics like cardiology, critical care, pediatrics, internal medicine, administration, and infectious disease, you will have a good foundation for future specialization.  Some of these places might be in more rural areas, which might mean less competition from students at other schools.
5. Don't be afraid of programs in candidate status.  Like the regular application process, you want to apply broadly to more well-known and lesser-known to improve your chances.  EVERY program started in candidate status at some point.  There could be something in there with great potential as long as you will get the experiences you are looking for.

More updates to come!  Hang in there scramblers.  I have a long list of former Roseman students who started out in the scramble and now are gainfully employed in top-notch positions.