What Happens When You Don’t Match?

Every medical student dreams of Match Day. This is the ultimate goal that drives many med students through the grueling years of medical school. It’s what makes the sacrifices and dedication all seem worth it. I couldn’t wait for Match Day last year. In my mind was a constant loop of questions: Where will I match? Will I be at my first choice? Will I get to be near my partner, my friends, my family?

I hadn’t even considered the alternate reality: What if I don’t match?

I was feeling so confident on Match Monday (the day when you find out if you’ve matched or not), that I almost didn’t set my alarm that day. I was brushing my teeth when I got the email that changed everything: “We are sorry, you did not match to any position.” My vision became blurry. I felt my stomach drop. What??? This had to be a mistake.

It was not a mistake. I didn’t match, and I felt like garbage. Why was this happening to me? Did I not work hard enough? Was I not good enough to match? All my friends had matched, so why not me? I sat in the passenger seat, numb, crying the whole way as my partner drove me to school. Even though I was living a nightmare, I had to collect myself and come up with my game plan. I pushed the imposter syndrome aside and started brainstorming my next move.

I decided to go through The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). At the time, I felt confident I wanted to be an OB/GYN, and my advisors told me a preliminary general surgery year would strengthen my application most for next year, when I re-applied. The reality of this hit me – not only would I have to reapply, but I could possibly go unmatched again. I was devastated. But what could I do? If I didn’t reapply, I would be out of a job.

The SOAP process is four days of non-stop stress, interviewing, waiting, and praying that something (anything) will work out in your favor. The immense support I had from my loved ones and trusted mentors was the main reason I made it through in one piece. After many cold-call interviews, I woke up on Thursday and crossed my fingers that a general surgery program would want me as a prelim resident. The clock struck 8 am… and I got a match offer. I was going to be a prelim at the Medical College of Wisconsin, General Surgery.

I was relieved, excited, and exhausted from the rollercoaster of emotions I had experienced that week. I had matched. I didn’t get the usual Match Day experience, and I would still have to reapply, but I would get to be a resident on July 1. I couldn’t wait. For the rest of my classmates, the next day was Match Day. The big day everyone had been waiting for! Even though I already knew where I had matched, I showed up to my medical school’s Match Day celebration. I wanted to be there for my friends in the way they had been there for me. Though the day was exciting, it was hard to feel truly happy when things hadn’t worked out the way I planned. After some time to process, I decided to lean into my surgery year. I made a plan to learn as much as I could, soak everything in, and try to become the doctor that I would want taking care of my loved ones.

So, what happens when you don’t match? Well, first you can cry because this really sucks. Sometimes there’s a reason why you didn’t match, but oftentimes it’s just dumb luck. If you decide to go through the SOAP process, make sure you have trusted advisors and friends who can help you figure out where to apply and what specialty to apply into, who are willing to proofread way too many copies of your new (yes, almost entirely new) personal statement, and who will motivate and support you through one of your worst weeks. You also don’t have to go through the SOAP week, as there are many different paths you can pursue. Your advisors can help you figure out the best plan for you to reach your goals.

If you do match into a preliminary position, you will most likely find yourself answering the same questions over and over. I cannot count the number of times I was asked, “So why are you a prelim?” or “Why didn’t you match?” These are fair questions, but it is not easy to discuss a personal failure like this so often and so casually. After much reflection, I perfected my answers to these questions. But behind my smile, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in myself that I hadn’t initially matched.

Prelim or not, I realized the huge responsibility and honor of being someone’s doctor. It is so rewarding to take care of patients in and out of the operating room, to find shared humanity, and to feel excited to show up to work every day. I could not have predicted how being a surgery resident would forever change my life for the better. I felt so at home as a general surgery resident that when the time came to reapply, I decided to dual apply to OB/GYN and General Surgery.

After juggling interviews with the workload of being a surgical intern, my luck turned around. A categorical general surgery spot opened mid-year in another program. One of my close friends was an intern there, and he loved his program. I interviewed, and I was offered the position. This felt like fate. I accepted the position and moved my whole life to Minnesota, where I am now a categorical general surgery intern. I am still loving what I get to do.

This process showed me that everybody has their own path. I did not initially apply to General Surgery, but I am so glad I found my way here. If you don’t match, don’t be too hard on yourself. Amazing candidates go unmatched every year. You are great, you are worthy, and you will be someone’s doctor. Lean on your loved ones; don’t try to do everything alone. When you’re re-evaluating what specialty you want to pursue, try to remember what makes you the happiest. And above all, make sure to thank the people who helped get you here. Because you’ve made it so far already.