Pre-match Radiology?

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EssTwoThreeFour

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It is not well known, but ACGME programs can pre-match DO's without breaking any match rules. I recently heard of a DO pre-matching into a radiology program for 2011.

Any thoughts on if this is ethical or not? Just curious...
 
As for ethics, as long as it doesn't violate the match rules I don't see any reason why it would be unethical. Programs can take US MDs who have already been through the match and IMG MDs in prematch positions, so it would be similar.

For practical reasons, though, it may not be desirable. These are very coveted slots that have no trouble filling in the match, and you would have to wonder why this slot was available. It may be at a program in a state of flux, on probation, or otherwise. This program may be looking for a warm body to fill a spot.

That is, unless you are a total baller. If you blew the doors off of the USMLE steps, were in the top of your med school class, and have extensive research experience, you may be able to get an offer at a good program. This is occasionally the case with IMGs. Or you may have a strong personal connection to the program (maybe one of your parents is on the staff or something).

Good luck with this.
 
EssTwoThreeFour said:
It is not well known, but ACGME programs can pre-match DO's without breaking any match rules. I recently heard of a DO pre-matching into a radiology program for 2011.

Any thoughts on if this is ethical or not? Just curious...
Click to expand...

It can(and has) happen(ed) and is not an ethical issue anymore than than picking your favorite color. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don't.
 
There is nothing unethical about offering or accepting a spot outside the match to/for D.O.'s. It is within the bounds of the law and match rules. One just needs to be careful about the legality of contracts offered and be wary of false promises. My school discouraged us from signing contracts outside the match, presumably for these reasons.

I wouldn't say it isn't well known that spots can be offered outside the match to or accepted by D.O.'s. I'm a D.O. and my friends and I were all acutely aware that this is one of the possible pathways to obtain a residency spot. Maybe it isn't well known amongst allopaths though. I would have LOVED to have been offered a spot outside the match, but the program directors never mentioned it and it would have been presumptuous for me to bring it up as a possibility. I good friend of mine signed a contract outside the m.d. match and things worked out great.
 
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