How to Prepare for Match Day and The Scramble
If you’re about to experience your first Match Day as a veterinary student or intern, we at Ethos want to tell you: take a deep breath. You’ve done the work. This field has so many opportunities. If things don’t work out now, they will in time.
From our own recruiting team, here’s some tips and advice on how to prepare for Match Day and if you don’t match.
The Scramble
Match Day is full of triumph for some, but may entail anxiety and disappointment for others. If a candidate does not match they enter “the scramble.” Both sides begin making calls – programs who did not fill positions and applicants who did not match are sent each other’s information.
The matching process can be stressful for a few reasons:
- There are limited training programs available in certain specialties and there is more interest than there are slots available.
- You may have a specific geographic preference that is not available to you.
- If you do not match with any of your top choices, you have limited time available to pursue an alternate option.
- You could face a short or potentially long-term delay in pursuing the specialty path of your dreams.
What You Can Do to Prepare for Match Day and the Scramble
It’s important to be prepared for any outcome, both mentally and with the right tools.
- Anticipate technical difficulties: many candidates are logging in at the same time and it may take a few minutes.
- Prepare for not getting your first choice: some do, but many don’t. Keep an open mind!
- If you don’t match, don’t get distracted by those around you who have matched. Keep your head in the game, it’s time to get to work!
- Be ready for phone interviews immediately after getting the results of the Match – many employers gather contact information in advance for their unfilled positions.
- Block your calendar to leave time for proactive outreach to employers.
- Have backup options short-listed and a second-choice career path you can pursue.
- Answer phone calls & emails promptly and with a positive attitude.
- Keep your loved ones in the loop as you make decisions together.
Also check out our 6 Tips for a Stress-Free VIRMP Application Process.
What Does Ethos Have to Offer for Those Who Don’t Match?
Ethos offers many options as a bridge to your placement in a residency of choice in several of our hospitals. We offer Associate Veterinarian roles in Oncology, Critical Care, and Surgery that offer additional training and exposure to specialties. These can help position candidates for better success in future applications.
Our E-VET Training Program is an excellent option for kickstarting an emergency career as well.
In the end, no matter where you end up, make the most out of this exciting experience. Actively participate, ask questions, make friends, and enjoy exploring the local area. You have a lot to offer the veterinary industry and you will make a difference for pets and pet owners every day.