Congratulations for those who matched in the 2023 Medical Residency Programs. I know how hard you worked during this process and all the planning that you went through in order to get the desired outcome getting a residency spot in the USA Medical Residency Programs. I have experienced both the disappointment of not getting into a program and also the happiness of getting into the right residency program that allowed me to succeed professionally as a doctor.
I kept the email of my failed attempt to secure a residency spot in the matching program the first year I applied. This is the sample of the most fearful email.
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:50:00 -0400
From: nrmp@aamc.org
Subject: Did I Match?
We’re sorry, you did not match to any position.
I could write about this but the feelings that provoked this traumatic experience could lead anybody into a profound depression. It was the saddest day of my life. I felt that I wasted precious time of my life in preparation for standardized tests, interviews and voluntary work. I put my life on hold in all the other aspects such as family, physical, social and spiritual.
As an international medical doctor, we have to demonstrate more effort by taking the all the required medical boards before residency, be persistent and be really good at selling ourselves in our accomplishments as proven doctors after Medical School.
When there is uncertainty the only thing to rely on is in your faith in God. I have a testimony that after sacrifices, blessings will come. I am sure that we have to show Heavenly Father that we have done everything that we can so then He will bless us in his own time. I recognize the Lord’s intervention at this stage of my life because I approach Him with anger and ask Him, “What he expect me to do now.” If He still wanted me to complete the process that I started, or otherwise give me the courage to follow his advice and accept his will in my life.
I had a revelation that I need to re-apply again the following year. He will show me the way on how to fulfill the goal of getting into a medical residency program. After a year of preparation, passing the USMLE step 3 and also doing an observership in a community hospital. I was able to secure a position into the McAllen Family Residency Program.
In conclusion, there is a difference between hope and expectancy. Hope is the same as having faith. We need to show faith and works. James 2:26 “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” It is necessary to do everything that is in our hands and let God to bless us on his own time.
It was March 17th 2011 when I received the most expected email in my life “Congratulations! You have matched.” I asked my husband to open this time my inbox so he could give me the good news. This was a very emotional moment for me. I cried because I was overwhelmed with so much happiness. I recognize that this blessing came from God and his Will was in tune with my righteous desire. I have a testimony that He help me to carry the yolk of the heavy burden of uncertainty that I have to bear while I was waiting for the Match Day to happen.
Be persistent in your journey of getting a spot in the US Medical Residency Program.
