Match Day 2022: Residents Reflect on Their Experience

It’s hard to believe that Match Day is just around the corner. Below we hear from fellow TrueLearn learners and current residents of their Match experience, where they share their advice and things they wish they told themselves before the big day. 

“My advice for Match Day/what I would tell myself knowing what I know now: Be excited about wherever you Match remember that you ranked it because you liked the people and the program and trust your gut that you will be happy there. You Matched there because they liked you too and because you DESERVE to be there. Remember that Matching itself is a SUCCESS. It’s a huge accomplishment that you should and will be proud of. Trust yourself and know that you will make your own success there wherever you wind up.”

Jennifer Alejo

Current Resident at Wake Forest General Surgery

“I thoroughly enjoyed interview season and all the possibilities for my life. I was seeking a new experience for my training as well as matching to a program that would give me my best education. Given the statistics, I knew that I would most likely match in my top 3. Especially since my number 1 said promising things and my number 2 reached out to me telling me I was going to match. As a result, I spent much less time evaluating my programs 6-17. Fortunately, I matched at my number 6. I say fortunately because, in the end, I think it’s what was best for my family. I matched somewhere that was close to my family, yet put importance on education. Advice: enjoy the process. You’re wanted by others, you’ve worked hard, and will end up where it’s best for you. And do not take let programs’ post-interview communication influence you. Unfortunately, they may not be telling the truth.”

Zachary Martin

Current Resident at UK Anesthesiology

“After failing the ABSITE two years in a row, the Plastic Surgery interviews invitations were not exactly flowing in like I would have liked. Between family life with my wife and two kids, general surgery residency, and life in general, study time was hard to come by. I did two things to correct my situation: changed my study habits and bought TrueLearn for my PGY4 year. The score report came out in mid-interview season. My ABSITE score increased by 10 raw score points and 58 percentile points. I sent my new score to every program and obtained several more interview invitations. One of those new interviews ended up being my #1 choice and the program I would ultimately match into. Couldn’t be happier with my choice!”

Anthony Azzolini

Current Resident at University of Louisville Plastic Surgery

“I was very nervous about Match Day, and applied accordingly. I applied to many places however looking back I feel I should’ve felt more confident with the scores I had to apply in a more concentrated fashion. I ended up matching to my number one choice for both residency and fellowship. The Match process is very stressful if I have some or any advice to give would be to be confident in the places you interview at. It is hard to say what is the most important part of the Match process given your application needs to be directed at those programs that one, fit your needs and two, except people of your caliber. Receiving an interview is the rate-limiting step, however, the essential step in the process is that interview day. I am a fairly private person and opened my match email with my wife and kids. It is an exciting day to know where you’re going. Always have a good attitude about and outlook for the future. There is a reason for everything, whether it is you or others that will benefit from your presence there.”

Judd Payne

Current Resident at University of Arizona – Phoenix IM program

“My wife and I had just had twin girls two weeks before match day. One week after bringing them home, one of them developed omphalitis (infected umbilical stump). We had to take her to the hospital and stayed there for five days while she received IV antibiotics. During this time our other daughter stayed with my parents. The day we brought her home from the hospital, our other girl developed the same thing, so we took her to the hospital and brought her sister with us because we didn’t to be separated any longer. Match day was during this second stint at the hospital. I remember being exhausted because we had slept in a hospital room with our newborn daughters two feet away from us for the last 8 nights or so, but when I received my match letter all of that exhaustion turned into excitement and a sense of accomplishment. My wife and girls were with me, and my Mom had also come to visit us in the hospital, so she was there when I got my letter. While it wasn’t the ideal place to celebrate match day, I was glad I was surrounded by the most important people in my life. People that had supported me throughout my long journey that had led up to match day. I realized I never could have made it that far without all of their love and support. My advice for medical students awaiting match day is to always remember the people who helped you get there. Celebrate with them, because they know all of the hard work you have put in, and they have likely made sacrifices to help you achieve your goals.”

Matthew Schettle

Current Resident at Iowa Anesthesia

“I had applied originally to emergency medicine and neuromuscular medicine residency programs. I had started the interview process and was excited about my future in either specialty. Until I found Anesthesia November of my 4th year of medical school! I fell in love with the specialty; especially chronic pain management. I frantically applied to a few Anesthesia programs in the last few months before rank order lists were due. My rank order list had 3 different specialties in my top 5 ranked programs! After I submitted my rank order list, I flew off to Peru with a few friends for a medical Spanish elective. We were hiking Machu Picchu when we heard the first whispers of COVID 19. We flew safely back to the states and began quarantine. I was leading a trekking trip for high school students in New Hampshire when rotations, match day ceremonies, and graduations were being canceled. My medical school friends and I were devastated that we wouldn’t be able to celebrate together. So, we made a plan to FaceTime between the 5 of us on match day and open our e-mails together. From my kitchen counter, with my friends all displayed on my screen, I opened the email confirming I had matched at my first choice program: Anesthesia at Maine Medical Center. My match story was fraught with last-minute changes and navigation through a global pandemic but culminated in matching at my dream program and a slew of memories and adventures that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Meredith Peck

Current Resident at Anesthesia at Maine Medical Center

“I originally matched for a one-year position in OBGyn and although I was devastated at the time to not have matched for a four-year program, it turned out for the best. Midway through my intern year in OBGYN, I thought about what I loved most about my gyn onc patients: their stories. I discovered the field of reproductive and perinatal psychiatry and was deeply inspired to hear more. I interviewed at Tufts Psychiatry in February 2020 and the PD told me he would let me know shortly after Match Day 2020 if there was a spot. I was honored when one week after Match Day, in the height of the pandemic in the Bronx, I was offered the spot at Tufts for a PGY2 position in the General Psychiatry program. As I apply for reproductive and perinatal psychiatry fellowships this Spring, I am delighted to tell medical students that the meaningful path does not have to be linear. I continue to love my patients’ stories and I am very happy that despite Match not being the day I ever imagined, it was a stepping stone to a future career I thoroughly enjoy.”

Reid Mergler

Current Resident at Tufts Psychiatry

“I am a first-generation physician and will never forget match week. I imagined how that week would go in my head as a pre-med and a medical student. To be honest, it was nothing like what I expected. What I was not prepared for was the emotion that I felt when I opened the email saying that I had matched. Even though I knew I would probably match somewhere, I was overwhelmed with joy. All of the years of tears, hard work, and sacrifice replayed through my mind. I couldn’t help but think about all of the moments when I thought I wasn’t smart enough or capable enough to become a doctor but still showed up. All those events led up to that email that read “Congratulations! You have matched!”. Looking back, I am glad that I stuck to this path despite the challenges. Although being a surgical resident is hard, I have the best job in the world. I get to go to work and help people intangible way. Even though the hours are long, I am so glad I stuck with it. To all the medical students this year waiting anxiously for that email, remember, you are worthy. Despite where you end up, you have the opportunity to do good every single day. Do not take that opportunity for granted!”

Kevin Mutore

Current Resident at UT-Southwestern General Surgery Program