I’ve matched! What. A. Journey.
I didn’t even realize I was supposed to find out today. Although I’ve known that Match Week starts with an NRMP status update on Monday, I didn’t realize that the status was different between a full match or a prelim-only match.
Not many people know this, but I actually applied into preliminary surgery programs in addition to otolaryngology, and had seriously considered dual-applying to general surgery. I’ll write about my thought process on this matter another time, but the crux of this was that I was terrified and knew I did not have the…mental fortitude to navigate the SOAP if I didn’t match. Because of this, while I was very hopeful to receive an “I’ve matched!” email from the NRMP today, I didn’t think the wording of the message would be specific enough. I fully expected to find out on Friday (Match Day) if I had actually matched.
Apparently, the NRMP states that 4 potential messages exist:
- Congratulations, you have matched! — if you match categorical or prelim + advanced slot
- Congratulations, you have matched to an advanced position but not a preliminary-year position.
- Congratulations, you have matched to a one year position. — if you match to a PGY-1 preliminary position only
- We are sorry, you did not match to any position.
I hadn’t realized that Message #3 could exist, which means that upon looking back, I matched…fully.
Holy shit. I’m going to be an otolaryngologist.
The world isn’t ready.
I’m not ready.
