Grit and Persistence
- US Osteopathic Student
- COMLEX 1: 519
- COMLEX 2: 495
- COMLEX 2 CS: Pass
- COMLEX 3: 506
- Step 1: 206
- Match Violation
- 2 unsuccessful years matching
- YOG: 2018
Here's the success story of a US Osteopathic student who found himself in a very difficult situation while trying to match into surgery and was able to finally match using grit and persistence.
Grit; a word with profound meaning, yet simply put is a blend of passion and persistence toward long-term and meaningful goals. Persistence; a term described by Calvin Coolidge as “omnipotent”. Coolidge adds, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.”
My path over the past 4 years has included several obstacles from which I learned many lessons that warrant sharing. As a 4thyear medical student, in 2018, it was the final year osteopathic and allopathic physicians had separate match processes. We as students sign a long document that many may not read or understand completely. We make a choice to blindly accept and trust a system that has been in place for many years. However, this blind trust can be hazardous and I hope that my story will show students that perseverance and grit will help you to overcome any obstacle, no matter how obscure.
After failing to match in the 2018 osteopathic match, I was fortunate enough to interview and accept a subsequent position to the only unfilled osteopathic surgery residency in the scramble. Excitement and a sense of relief consumed me. Several days later I attempted to remove myself from the allopathic match and was informed that this was not possible and the first mention of a match violation was encountered. For those students participating in future match process, remember that the deadline to withdrawal from the match is that same day as the rank list certification deadline.
Several weeks later I matched into a preliminary position in general surgery. How strange it felt to be in a situation where I have signed a contract for a 5-year categorical position and I was being matched into a 1-year preliminary position. I had no idea that this was even possible. As any student would do, I went searching for advice on how to handle this situation. Being such a unique situation the recommendations I received were contradictive and confusing. My first choice and attempt at resolving this perplexing situation was to respectfully notify the preliminary position’s program director of the situation. Shortly, thereafter the NRMP was notified and I was asked to start the waiver process to decline my preliminary 1-year residency.
The waiver process was uncharted territory I something that I never knew existed not to mention that resources were limited. Information was confusing and challenging to navigate. In my specific situation I learned that there was a clear line drawn by me refusing the preliminary position. The clear line became a match violation.The penalty for this decision is a one-year suspension from applying or starting at any other program, including the 5-year categorical position that had been offered to me. Feeling crushed with no other options to make the situation work I honored my 1-year preliminary position which was the best decision I could make in this situation.
At the time I was frustrated, but remained optimistic that experience would benefit and further my career. A few days into my preliminary year I was notified that the NRMP committee was continuing to review this situation to determine the outcome of this match violation. Again, I am in a puzzling situation where I have honored my match agreement but yet facing a match violation. The committee determined a violation occurred regardless of my decision or the outcome. The 1-year penalty was applied in August which limiting my ability to start at any new program the following year as most residency programs start in July.
In the face of this struggle, it took great perseverance to stay committed to my task to become a resident with a very discouraging outlook. Over the course of the 1-year prelim opportunity I had many successes, most notably being selected by the hospital nursing staff and administration as the resident of the year. Medicine and caring for patients with compassion transcends any struggles you may have as an individual. Making patients a priority is what physicians strive to be the best at to provide the best care possible.
With match violations and restrictions in place preventing my start at any program until mid-August, I was unsuccessful in the following year’s match process. To further my career, I joined a very specialized team of experts caring for a very lethal pediatric disease as a research fellow.
As many students know general surgery is a very competitive field in medicine and the further you are from graduation the more challenging it is to match into a program. In efforts to improve my application I focused on the development of manyabstract publications, posters and oral presentations. I even decided to return to academics and take the USMLE step 1 three years after graduation, passing on my first attempt. My second point to make is that focused determination is required to succeed through adversity. The two years away from clinical medicine taught me that you can overcome challenges. Your path may not be as smooth as you originally intended it to be however. Students and residents will fail, and we will struggle. Rocky Balboa once said “It’s not how hard you get hit, it’s how hard you can get hit and still get up.”
Several people asked what were my other options besides returning to surgery. I spent several years denying there was any other option. I chose to keep my focus and persistence towards one singular goal. It is because of this perseverance that I am proud to return to a general surgery residency in 2021.
I want everyone who reads this, who may be struggling to achieve their goals, to remember it is important to stay informed. The more knowledge you have the better you will feel about your decisions. You can always strive for excellence even in your darkest moments of life. There are people in this world willing to make sacrifices for you and to help you on your journey but you need to open your eyes to see them. Look around and find ways to be better and if you make enough good choices success will follow.
U. P.
March 2021
Dr. Barone : “Thank you so much for sharing! Your resolve to continue on despite such difficult and unusual circumstances is inspirational. Thank goodness that with the merger of the osteopathic and allopathic match, no one will have to be in this situation again! To all future match applicants, learn from this and make sure to know the rules, responsibilities, and deadlines of the match!”
Photo credit: ©2018 Dylan Nolte Unsplash.com