Ranked

Thank goodness, Dustin's interviews for residency programs have ended and this week we submitted our final rank list!


For those of you unfamiliar with how MATCH works:
Each residency program ranks their favorites interviewees, and each interviewee ranks their top choices of programs, then a computer program matches everyone up nationwide. You could get your first choice, last, or worse, not match at all. So really, besides a preference list, you have little control over where you'll spend your next few years.


Dustin applied to 25 pediatric residencies nationwide and 5 general practice residencies (GPR's) that have a pediatric focus (as a back-up so he can gain experience and re-apply to "pedo"next year). He received interview offers at 6 pedo programs and 3 GPRs.


We've decided not to reveal the EXACT order that we ranked the programs (since this blog is public and we don't want to hurt our chances anywhere), but here are the details...


#1- Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatric Residency (for a multitude of reasons- baby, not moving, family, friends, warmth- we'd prefer to stay put)

#2-5 (in NO particular order, all pediatric programs are 2 years)
    University at Buffalo Pediatric Residency
    University of Illinois Chicago Pediatric Residency
    University of Minnesotta Pediatric Dental Residency in Minneapolis
    St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Pediatric Residency in Philadelphia, PA

#6-7 (GPR's, in NO particular order, these programs are only 1 year)
   Oklahoma University Children's Hospital GPR in Oklahoma City
   Samuels Sinclair GPR at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI


*You might recall that we took a trip to Boston for Dustin to interview at Tuft's Pediatric Residency. Due to the cost of the program, we excluded it from our rank list. He was also offered an interview at a GPR in Albuquerque, NM, but because they don't participate in MATCH and would have required an early commitment, we declined the interview.


MATCH day is Jan. 30th. I'm assuming we'll get an e-mail/phone call/something that day and we'll suddenly know where we're going! While we'll be grateful to get matched anywhere, I'm terrified of living somewhere freezing cold. (Considering our list my odds are pretty good that I won't be warm again for a couple years...)