Rob Chisholm MSU/KCMS Kalamazoo, MI “S” Day March 18, 2003

Our Interview Season NRMP Quota: 10 NRMP Quota: 10 ~450 applications/~125 invited ~450 applications/~125 invited 97 Interviews/95 Ranked 97 Interviews/95 Ranked No history of scrambling No history of scrambling No worries……right? No worries……right?

March 18 PD – Day shift in the ED PD – Day shift in the ED PC – 4 th Match Day and anxiously awaiting the from the NRMP PC – 4 th Match Day and anxiously awaiting the from the NRMP 11:29am……. 11:29am…….

…….11:30am “The” is opened “The” is opened Holy Holy

What do I do? 6/10 spots filled 6/10 spots filled Seriously, what do I do? Seriously, what do I do? From whom do I seek advice? -Ask primary care programs From whom do I seek advice? -Ask primary care programs

The game plan Established a mode of contact Established a mode of contact a. Phone, , fax a. Phone, , fax Have PD get someone to cover his shift (priority!!) Have PD get someone to cover his shift (priority!!) Wrote a verbal acceptance form adapted for EM Wrote a verbal acceptance form adapted for EM

By 12:00pmish PD now in the office PD now in the office No lunch hours today (order something for delivery) No lunch hours today (order something for delivery) The bombardment begins The bombardment begins One phone line, two fax machines available (why?) One phone line, two fax machines available (why?)

By 1:00pmish Applicant list narrowed down to four candidates. Verbal acceptance letters faxed. All accepted offer. Applicant list narrowed down to four candidates. Verbal acceptance letters faxed. All accepted offer.

So, who did we get? 2 with prior GME 2 with prior GME 2 that we no-ranked…ouch 2 that we no-ranked…ouch No academic or clinical issues with any of these and one was a chief resident No academic or clinical issues with any of these and one was a chief resident

What did we learn? Never EVER let your PD be scheduled to work a day shift on the day we find out if your program filled Never EVER let your PD be scheduled to work a day shift on the day we find out if your program filled Be prepared even if your program has never scrambled (it could happen to you)!! Be prepared even if your program has never scrambled (it could happen to you)!!

Continued… :1 ratio of interviews to spots 2001 – 9.28, 2010 – :1 ratio of interviews to spots 2001 – 9.28, 2010 – Prepare commitment letter in advance Prepare commitment letter in advance Set up method of communication – indicated on NRMP: fax, , ERAS Set up method of communication – indicated on NRMP: fax, , ERAS ERAS>Tools>Filter/Sort>Scramble Applications ERAS>Tools>Filter/Sort>Scramble Applications

Continued…..again Have an applicant filtering questionnaire ready Have an applicant filtering questionnaire ready Get help answering phones/prepare message when phone is busy Get help answering phones/prepare message when phone is busy Utilize NRMP web site when positions are filled Utilize NRMP web site when positions are filled Try to rank everyone you interviewed Try to rank everyone you interviewed