International Medical Graduates Match and Scramble Services

IMG Residency

Scramble 2010 Webinar

Last Webinar hosted by IMG Residency on 01/23/2010 was dedicated to the Post Match Scramble process. The powerpoint slides are available here. The presentation starts at 2nd minute of the video:

We discussed the following topics:

What happens if I do not match?
What is a Post Match Scramble?
Who may participate in the Scramble?
Do I need to register with ERAS?
Do I need to register with NRMP?
I have X interviews. Do I need to scramble?
How do I apply for the Scramble?
Can I participate from outside of the U.S.?
What documents do I need?
Scramble preparations. What should I focus on?
What are my chances in the Scramble?
What is the Scramble timeline?
Do I need a fax machine?
Should I use electronic faxing service?
Do I need an extra phone line?
How can my family and friends help?
Should I call the programs or will the programs call me?
Unfilled positions list timing. Do the programs get it first?

Questions and Answers Session Transcript

Question: Can I participate in the scramble if I did not apply to any programs for the match?
Answer:Yes. Participation in the match is not a requirement. You have to register with NRMP and ERAS in order to get access to the list of unfilled positions and be able to submit your application to the programs.

Question: How much is NRMP registration fee?
Answer: NRMP registration fee is $50. Registration deadline is February 24th 2010. Late registration fee of $50.00 is charged for registration after November 30 2009.

Question: What if i didnt register with nrmp?
Answer: You still can contact the programs on your own, but you won't have access to the list of unfilled positions. So, you won't be able to tell what programs to contact.

Question: Can I still register?
Answer: Yes, registration open till February 24th for a total fee of $100 ($50 registration + $50 late fee).

Question: How many unfilled positions were in Neurology last year?
Answer: 1 PGY-1 and 10 advanced - PGY-2.

Question: Can I still register?
Answer: Yes, registration open till February 24th for a total fee of $100 ($50 registration + $50 late fee).

Question: How do you rate PM&R?
Answer: This is a very competitive specialty. Some IMGs get it but again, it is in high demand for AMGs.

Question: Can i scramble for specialties that I did not have personal statement?
Answer: You can scramble for any specialty. However, I suggest preparing personal statements for all specialties you are going to scramble. Another point worth bringing up is making your application fit the specialty. For example, if all your past experience is in psychiatry and you are applying for Surgery, this is not a good fit.

Question: I heard that you can only scramble in specialties you applied to for match.Only those lists will be available to you. Is this correct?
Answer: No, you can scramble for any specialty and registered unmatched NRMP users get access to a complete list, which includes unfilled positions in all specialties.

Question: When we get the list of unfilled positions from ERAS do we also get the list for specialties we did not aplly previously?
Answer: The list is provided by the NRMP, not ERAS. Yes, all unmatched registered applicants get access to unfilled positions in all specialties.

Question: Is there a limit for how many programs I can apply in the scramble?
Answer: ERAS limits number of applications to 30 new plus 15 old. New programs are the ones you did not apply in regular season.

Question: I went on 3 interviews, if I do not list the programs on my match list (because I did not like them) will I automatically participate in scramble?
Answer: Yes. You will become unmatched and get access to the list of unfilled positions provided by NRMP, so you can participate in the scramble. One note though - in the scramble there will be no time to research the programs, so you cannot ever tell if you are getting a better deal. Besides, it is very difficult to get anything in the scramble. Just FYI.

Question: What do they ask during the call?
Answer: A call from the program resembles regular interview format. Programs are also limited in time, so this will be a 10-45 min call. Program will try to get a feeling about your candidacy. They know your credentials, so what they are looking for are your personal traits. E.g. communication skills, personality, etc.

Question: Do we have to pay for applying via ERAS?
Answer: All scramble applications sent via ERAS are free. There is a limit of how many you can send - 30 plus 15. There is no option to pay for extra applications. 45 is absolute maximum.

Question: Do I need to submit a ROL if I did not get an interview?
Answer: No, submitting ROL with no interviews will not match you. In order to get a chance, program has to rank you. Since you had no interviews, no programs are going to rank you.

Question: Can I change my CV and CAF for the scramble?
Answer: You can change your personal information - address, phone number, e-mail. But you cannot change anything else..

Question: What if my MSPE is only with ERAS?
Answer: You have to request another copy from medical school. ERAS does not return the documents until after the scramble.

Question: What if my LORs are only in ERAS?
Answer: You have to request a copy from the letter writer. If this presents a difficulty or you wish to keep the letter "waived", you can write LOR writer name, title and a short description of where does he know you from. You should also add that you waved your right to see the letter and it is available in ERAS. This way a program knows that you have the letters and eventually they can see them.

Question: How do I get USMLE transcript? Would the USMLE score reports be enough?
Answer: You can request USMLE transcript from the ECFMG for a fee of $50 per transcript. Please find details at this link: http://www.ecfmg.org/usmle/transcripts/index.html. USMLE transcript contains results for all USMLE tests you have ever taken. Programs prefer a transcript because they can also see number of attempts.

Question: You mentioned a web site that contains match and scramble statistics for the past years. What's the address?
Answer: https://www.residencyplace.com/AutoScrambler/ProgramList.aspx?MODE=.

Question: If one has 7 interviews, what are the chances of matching?
Answer: It depends on many-many factors. One thing you can do is to research how did these programs fill in the past years: https://www.residencyplace.com/AutoScrambler/ProgramList.aspx?MODE=. You should also check their quotas on January 31st after they submit them to NRMP. This way you know how many spots you are aiming at. An average program needs to rank 4 applicants per position to fill. so, if yoiu are ranked within top 40 at a 10-position program, most likely you will match there. But again, this is just an estimate.

Question: What is Advanced Position?
Answer: Advanced positions, which do not commence until one to two years after the match, are in specialty programs that require completion of 1 or more years of preliminary training.

Question: When is the list of programs with unfilled positions available.. is it on match day or scramble day?
Answer: The list becomes available on March 16th 12:00PM EST.

Question: Regarding others helping us with calling... is it ok if someone else talks to the program in our place?
Answer: You should use your helpers to dial the program, but YOU should do the talking.

Question: How do I pick the 45 programs to apply via ERAS?
Answer: There is no simple formula and there is not enough time for research. I suggest starting with ones in your city and then following with the ones with highest number of unilled positions. This way you are shooting for more spots.

Question: Does the list of unfilled positions update THROUGHOUT THE DAY?
Answer: Yes, it gets updated every hour. However, some information on the list becomes stake as not all programs report back to NRMP about positions getting filled.

Question: Do PDs prefer ERAS or email applications
Answer: ERAS is the best way to apply. All programs accept ERAS and only some may look at e-mails.

Question: Should you be in the country for the scramble or can it be done via phone/email from home country?
Answer: You should definitely get US phone number. You can use Skype to get one. Sometimes programs offer face to face interviews, but this is not common. Phone interview is the most common way.

Question: Do I have to log on to NRMP to find out if i matched?? They wont email me? ?
Answer: You don't have to. But you will be able to find the results faster by logging on. Not that this changes anything...

Question: What if I have important changes to CVAF and cannot make them What should I do?
Answer: You can provide an update in your Personal Statement as an introductory paragraph.

Question: How can I use a new LOR that is not in ERAS?
Answer: You should send it to ERAS. They will scan it and it will become available for applying to programs in the scramble.

Question: How about if none of the 15 old applied programs through ERAS have no positions left. Can you choose some other?
Answer: Unfortunately not. You will then be limited to 30 new applications.

Question: is anywhere we can get the unfilled positions from last year 2009?
Answer: You can get them here.

Question: does unmatched positions in a program represent the quality of that program?
Answer: I don't think so. This usually represents unbalanced blend of interviewees - program that invites only too competitive applicants is risking to go unfilled.

Question: Can i change the specialty after 1st year?
Answer: Problem #1: You have to start from PGY-1 because for most specialties credits are not interchangeable Problem #2: You have to apply via ERAS (same thing you did this year) and attend interviews. This will coincide with the most difficult period of your residency â?? first 6 months. You will have to take days off, which will also be difficult. Problem #3: You will need references from your current program, specifically from your PD. He/she wonâ??t be happy to find out you are not going to stay and can make your life really difficult up to providing a negative reference, failing rotations, putting you on probation, etc.

Question: Can i take part int he scramble without the ecfmg certificate?
Answer: Yes you can. But you have to realize that this sugnificantly reduces your chances, especially if you need a visa.

Question: How many programs had unfilled positions last year?
Answer: There were 425 programs with unfilled 1,087 PGY-1 positions and 38 advancd (PGY-2) programs with 59 unfilled positions.