Preparing for The Scramble

I have had a few individual questions about how best to prepare for "The Scramble."  Each year navigating the Scramble becomes more difficult as there are increasing numbers of unmatched PGY1 applicants (in 2012 this number was 1438 unmatched candidates) and decreasing number of unmatched positions for all types of PGY1 residencies (in 2012 this number was 145 unmatched residencies).  Please do not be discouraged as there are many well-qualified student pharmacists who do not Match.  Each year Roseman *has* had at least one student secure a position in the Scramble.  See a few tips below about how to streamline your efforts:

Prior to Match Day (Friday, March 22nd):
1.  Update your CV and upload again into PhORCAS.  Even if you have favorable results with the Match, spending the time to update your CV is worth it because you will need to continue updating your CV throughout your career.

2.  Contact your reference writers.  If you haven't already done so, please send them thank you notes.  Depending on the number of programs where you applied, each reference writer spent between 5-10 hours of their own time to write a letter.

On Match Day:
1. Access information about unmatched programs in PhORCAS starting at 10 a.m. Mountain time.  Research these programs just as you did when you originally selected programs prior to submitting your applications starting on Monday, March 25th.  Though it may be tempting, do not apply to programs outside your area of interest simply for the sake of obtaining a residency.  Remember a residency is a commitment for a year and being in an undesired practice setting is unlikely to meet your professional goals.  Both you and the program may be similarly frustrated in the coming year.

2.  Let your reference writers know your status right away.  They will want to share your success if you matched.  If you did not match, you will need your references to write new letters of recommendations.  Letter writers can upload new evaluations as early as 10 a.m. Mountain time on March 22nd.  Since programs can make offers as early as April 1st, your reference writers will need to submit a new letter within a few days so you will need to verify they have this availability to do so.

3. Use your networking strategies.  Programs receive hundreds to thousands of inquiries about unmatched positions so they are much more likely to pursue a known candidate.  This may translate to if you had any contact with them at ASHP Midyear or other professional meetings, if you had previously applied to their program, or if they know anyone who knows you.  I highly encourage you to contact college faculty (especially Dr. Smith) about your status in the Scramble.  We can determine if there is a connection between any Roseman faculty member or past alumni with the program. 

Do not underestimate the power of networking!  Last year a South Jordan candidate shared how he matched in the Scramble due to networking on behalf of a program.  The residency director knew one of the pharmacists at an APPE site where the Roseman candidate had completed a rotation.  The director contacted this site pharmacist without the knowledge of the candidate at the time. The site pharmacist had never served as the candidate's preceptor but was able to relay positive information about the candidate's professional demeanor and clinical performance based on word-of-mouth.  Remember, pharmacy is a small world and you want to use this to your advantage!

Beyond Match Day:
1. Await contact from programs.  If a program is interested in you, you will most likely be asked to participate in a brief in-person interview (if local) or a telephone interview.  These interviews are likely to be much shorter so you have to make a strong impression very quickly.  You may be asked to submit examples of projects (journal club, case presentations, educational handouts, etc.) you completed on APPE rotations for them to gauge your clinical skills.  Programs will evaluate all candidates they decided to pursue and then extend acceptance or rejection offers at their discretion.

2. Recheck PhORCAS often about available positions.  Keep in mind some programs will find out in April or May if they have been granted funding for additional positions.  These positions will become available in PhORCAS and you can apply to them just as you did in December/January.

Good luck and keep us posted!