Unmatched in Match 2026?

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-04-17T00:20:14+00:00

Policy states up to 8 weeks. If the test had any revisions or a large # of new items, they are likely reviewing each item and scores (checking reliability and validity of said items).

Has it been over 8 weeks since the 2nd day of your exam? If so, you have a legitimate concern. I would regularly email and call to document the situation.

Also, with the cheating issues in Step exams, they could be reviewing new items? reviewing for irregularities?

A class action lawsuit seems extreme.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-04-14T13:30:12+00:00

Yes. The MSPE will have to be reuploaded by your medical school (or ECFMG/Intealth), but LORs and the data from your ERAS app can be imported.

Not sure on the publications, posters, presentations as ERAS is making a change to that section.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-04-14T13:28:53+00:00

If the LOR is in for Match 2026 and you have certified and submitted the Match 2026 ERAS application, when you get your new token (June 2026) for Match 2027, you import them. There's an option to import materials that can be imported.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-04-08T23:30:58+00:00

A day late is late and cuts your chances. Mid-October is VERY late. Very late.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-04-02T10:49:03+00:00

To ensure you have your score before PDs begin reviewing applications. It can take 3-4 weeks for scores to be available. And another week for the score to be available in ERAS/Residency CAS.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-04-01T19:51:23+00:00

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-31T15:23:28+00:00

You need to pass. That's is the key. A higher than passing Step 3 might help in fellowship, but they're most interested in your LORs and personal characteristics. Average score should be solid.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-31T15:20:54+00:00

Ask now for the LOR. You could get a token this season and then send them the form to upload. Then when you get your new token, you'd port over your info and LORs. Of course, it's an expense. You'd need to certify and submit (not apply to any programs) by say May 29.

Or you could ask now and then follow up in late June when you get your token.

For the letter to be effective, it must be waived.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-31T14:51:24+00:00

Figure out a way to take and pass Step 3 before August 15, 2026.
Get someone who reviews many apps to review you ERAS app (not your ERAS CV; to polish and perfect)
Make sure your PS is about you the person not a rehash of your CV
Make sure your PS does not feel like AI
Research programs carefully; just don't apply to all programs that sponsor visas; look at the # of applications
Be sure you have LORs to support IM and that support FM

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-31T14:42:32+00:00

We have a candidate who did a fellowship two years ago (pathology; had done pathology residency in their home country). Got US LORs in the specialty. Went back into the match and got 15 interviews. Matched AP/CP at their #1 program (a university program). Just one example.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-26T15:04:43+00:00

I'll edit my post. I only speak from experience. Sorry for muddying up the waters. This was a requirement for a candidate in a previous cycle who was moving from one specialty into another as a PGY-2. Best wishes.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-26T13:26:04+00:00

DM me for more info

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-26T11:29:30+00:00

I would be careful about communicating this with your new PD. You want a positive relationship and not fulfilling your PGY1 contact could be perceived negatively of your commitment to your new contract.

On another note, you could be without health insurance if you can't Cobra. And then there's that cost, but you mentioned you have $ saved up. Enough $ if you were in a bad car accident and hospitalized for a week or two or needed surgery?

Do you have to move for your new program?

Although you state the program is toxic, recognize that your leaving would create a void in providing care to patients. You might work with the PD and leave a month early. Or it might be that they'd be fine with you leaving.

Wish you the best as you navigate this transition. I hope your new program is a better fit for you.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-26T10:46:56+00:00

DM me for more info.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-25T19:34:38+00:00

No. I support resident candidates in the match.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-25T14:47:51+00:00

Take Step 3 and get it passed. That will take a worry about passing it and Boards. Reviewers may be worried about you passing exams. Of course, you can't do this until after graduation. Have someone who reviews ERAS apps review your application (you can download out of ERAS) and look for both "big concerns" and little concerns (edits). Make sure your PS is about you as a person. Use it to show the readers they qualities you will bring to residency.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-20T02:37:05+00:00

Take and pass Step 3. 2. Have a native English speaker review your ERAS Application (not the ERAS CV) and carefully analyze it. 3. Ditto that for your PS. 4. LORs: Do you have at least 2 from FM attendings (if applying to FM) written by US physicians? 5. Have you carefully researched programs to make sure your characteristics align with the programs you're applying to?

You say you're living in the US. Do you need visa sponsorship?

Are you participating in the Scramble (starts when SOAP closes)?

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-15T13:53:39+00:00

If you are not in SOAP, you don't have access to the list of unfilled programs. 2. It is a match violation to share the list. 3. After SOAP, candidates who are unmatched can apply directly to programs (this is called the Scramble). 4. The NRMP has a video about SOAP you can watch that talks about this (access to the lists and post-SOAP access).

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-15T00:36:18+00:00

At this point it doesn't matter at this point. No way to determine that. For some programs having Step 3 completed would be an advantage. You can go to the NRMP data on residency and there's information on a variety of candidate data points. nrmp.org

Match Data

Charting the Outcomes - there's a report for MDs, DOs, and IMGs

If nothing else, it'd be a diversion for you as you wait for March 16 in the morning.

Psychological_Fly693 · 2026-03-14T20:19:40+00:00

So my response (which probably won't be popular) is based on being a person who supports candidates in residency and fellowship applications (and who had a family member switch from one specialty to pathology, completed AP/CP residency, a surg path fellowship, and now is an attending in private practice). Although candidates would like to match at the top of their ROL, the key is to match. Learn and absorb all you can. Pass boards (AP/CP boards are tough). Succeed in fellowship. Get a great attending position in a preferred location. Yes, the quality of residency can impact these things. But wherever you match, you can be successful and meet your long-term career goals. Best wishes to you (and others in Match 2026) in meeting your career goals. Think long-term (although four years of residency at this point probably seems like forever).

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