Podcasts on the ALiEM Soundcloud account
EM Match Advice 46 | Program Directors Share Match Season Insights
As interview season wraps up, medical students across the country are preparing their rank lists for the upcoming Match. EM Match Advice podcast host, Dr. Sara Krzyzaniak (Stanford EM Program Director) recently sat down with Dr. Melissa Parsons (University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville EM Program Director), to discuss the match process from both program and applicant perspectives.
Podcast: Match Season Insights
Podcast Sound Engineer: Dr. Kaitlin Bowers
What’s Happening on the Program Side?
Programs are busy finalizing their rank lists through comprehensive meetings with their teams. Many programs, including UF Jacksonville, are intentionally completing their rank lists before hosting second looks in February. This approach ensures that second look attendance doesn’t influence ranking decisions.
Do Letters of Intent Matter?
The impact of post-interview communication varies by program. While some program directors may give slight consideration to genuine letters of intent, there’s a consensus that “ranking you highly” letters carry little weight. Dr. Parsons notes that programs can verify the authenticity of “#1” declarations on Match Day, making honesty crucial in these communications.
Creating Your Rank List: What Really Matters
Focus on these key factors:
- Mentorship opportunities
- Program reputation and graduate outcomes
- Geographic location
- Support systems and work-life balance
- Clinical training environment
- Fellowship and career opportunities
- Your gut feeling about the program
What to avoid:
- Overvaluing others’ opinions on programs
- Putting too much stock in online forums/spreadsheets
- Making decisions based on minor perks or small salary differences
Strategic Advice for Applicants
- Make Your List Early: Write down your rankings and display them somewhere visible. Live with the list for a few weeks before certification.
- Consider Location: Think beyond the hospital – where do you want to live for the next 3-4 years?
- Be Thorough: While top and bottom choices might be clear, pay special attention to middle-ranked programs. Given recent Match unpredictability, thorough consideration of all ranked programs is crucial.
- Attend Second Looks Strategically: Use these opportunities to gather information for your decision-making, understanding that programs should have their lists finalized beforehand.
Important Dates
- February 3, 2025: Rank list entry opens
- March 5, 2025: Rank list certification deadline
- March 21, 2025: Match Day
Final Thoughts
Remember that the Match algorithm favors applicant preferences. Focus on creating a rank list that reflects your true preferences rather than trying to predict where programs might rank you. Trust your instincts and prioritize what matters most to you in your training journey.
Read and Listen to the Other EM Match Advice Episodes
Blog posts: https://www.aliem.com/em-match-advice-series/
Dr. Sara Krzyzaniak (podcast host and Stanford University PD) and Dr. Michelle Lin (ALiEM Founder/UCSF) are joined by Dr. Abra Fant (Northwestern PD) in this discussion reflecting on the 2024 Match results, after last year’s shocking number of 500+ unfilled positions. Here are the 2024 relevant numbers for Emergency Medicine, as compared to prior years. In the following podcast, we run down the numbers and what they might mean for the future.
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