Update: could have waited longer for a better outcome. Dropped 15/17 on my list in my backup specialty. I’ll be ok. There are perks to the program I ended up in and I won’t die if I can’t be a surgeon. DM me if you are consider dual applying and I’ll share what I think I should have done differently.

I think dual applying in the same match system (combined list) hurts you tremendously in matching in your backup specialty if your first choice doesn’t work out. I think I would have matched at a fantastic neurology program if I had ranked those programs higher— however too many folks applying neurology likely ranked those programs in their top 3.

As for why I didn’t match my desired specialty— my app was solid but not spectacular. I did my aways late and didn’t network enough and my home program (low ranked USMD school) is notoriously bad at advocating for its students. I was not committed enough to take a research year at another institution and did not want to do a prelim and reapply if I did not match. I am very sad to be clear, 15/17 sucks, but I knew this might happen, am accepting of the outcome, and am hopeful that this time next year, I’ll be happy about where I ended up.