DIP Episode 296 - The Match Day 2021 Podcast (for current/future applicants)

Okay, welcome. My name is Devine. This is a episode 296 of the Divine intervention podcast. And in this podcast, I'm going to, I guess I'm going to be tightly in this the Match Day podcast. Really, this podcast is just me doing two things. One, to encourage people and then two, to give my thoughts on the future match for people that will be applying. Both for people that a US medical graduates, MD program people, DO program people, and then for a medical graduate. So let's just go ahead and get right to it. And if you're interested in registering for the US MD courses, I have coming up, you know, I have one at the end of this month and one early next month. Feel free to listen through and then I will give some more information on that at the end. So really this match, I would say that just from my research and from the feedback I've gotten from lots and lots and lots of people this year and this cycle, this has been quite the unexpected batch for many, many, many people. Even for me, this has really been an unexpected match. The first thing I will just say is don't hurt yourself. There are many people that you don't match this week, probably like a larger number of people than there's been in a couple of years or at any time ever if I'm not mistaken. But please don't hurt yourself.

Really like it's not worth ending your life over because I've just been, you know, going through Reddit and stuff and I know some people have just been in some kind of like emotional tailspin as a result of this. Don't hurt yourself. It's not worth it. Trust me like at the end of the day, you know, yes, I know being a physician is a very important thing and you will likely still be able to become a physician, just maybe not on some different terms but just be mindful of that fact and don't end your life as a result of this. Again, because remember, you have many other things in your life besides your job, right? You have your family, you have your friends, you have people that love you a lot, right? So remember, your work, your job in this world, your only contribution to this world that we live in, is not just your physician work, right? That's probably about, you know, maybe less than 40% of your entire life, the other 60% is a lot you can do. You can contribute in many positive ways to your community. So don't end your life. Don't hurt yourself as a result of this. And I think maybe I'll make this a public service announcement. If you're a parent of a child that you know, they didn't match or whatever, you need to find a way to reach out to them and be around them because it's very, it's very tough. It's very challenging to have gone through this whole process and not match.

I mean, many people started this journey 10, 12 years ago, did a lot of research that they necessarily maybe did not want to do, had to study hard, keep up perfect grades and all that stuff. And again, this, this is me saying this as a person that again, one has personally gone through the process, two has a person that has reviewed tons of medical school applications and tons of residency applications and you know, advised a lot of people that are now residents and you know, so knowing a lot quite a number of program directors, right? So in going through all this process processes, right, like you have to like work really, really hard for a sustained period of time, right? And then to find out that all that hard work did not culminate in your matching or let's say you match, but you match the place you just did not want to go to. It is extremely disheartening. It is very, very sad, very, very sad. And trust me, I feel like anyone that says, oh, or you see some people that are like, oh, you match, even if they match that they are number 25 or number 27 spot, right? People are like, oh, you match, you should be grateful. Yes, you should be grateful, but you did not intend to match at your number 27 spot to start. All right? So I'll just encourage you to not, don't hurt yourself. It's okay to grieve, right? So anyone that tells you like, I understand what you're going through. No, they don't. Even I do not understand, right? So don't have this thought that, oh, I understand.

No, no, no, no. In fact, if you're listening to this podcast, I have to console someone. Just be by them and say nothing, right? Trust me. Those people are hurting really deep inside. They're hurting really deep. But again, I'll sound out this word of hope. Many people that have been in similar circumstances, they tried again the next cycle, you know, beefed up the applications and they matched. So for those that did not match and for those that did not get a spot through the soap, remember, they're out of match spots, they are scramble spots. Again, it may not be in the discipline you want. Well, you may be able to get something. And again, many times, if you take the one year, really work on your application. And again, it's actually not one year. It's more like, like six months, because again, the next cycle is going to pick up very soon, right? If you take the six months and really, really work hard on yourself, right? There are many people I know that, gone through that process and they ended up on top the next time. So just something to keep in mind. And really one thing that's really shocking about the Sears matches, you see people that had some very good stats that just did not get any positions. I mean, like, I'm telling you, like, it's really shocking. Some of the stories I've heard, like people in the 250s on step one and step two CK. And they got a good number of interviews. And then they did not match.

And then they got no soap spots, which is really, really shocking, right? Or you see some people falling really low on their match rank list, right? I mean, like, a third story is of people matching up to like number 25, number 27 on their on their rank list, right? Which is really, really shocking. And these are not best poor applicants. These are people that have very solid scores, very solid research, everything, right? And this is not just many people, I know some there, maybe this rhetoric out there that, oh, it's a lot of people at the, you know, the lower ranked mid schools or four medical graduates that are not matching. Yes, there's a ton of those people that didn't match. But let me tell you this, there's a ton of people at top mid schools that did not match, right? There's a ton of people at top mid schools that did not match. So I'm just going to say this, if the people at the top mid schools did not match, how do you think you went for people that went to the lower ranked mid schools or the four medical graduates, right? A ton of these people just did not, did not get spots, right? And one of the sad things with this is that this process is only going to get more competitive, right? It's only going to get more competitive. So for those of you that are listening to this podcast that are going to be participating in this much cycle, I'm telling you guys or girls, work really hard and get those scores. Like literally work hard and get those scores.

And all these people that are putting out this, oh, you know what? I can wait till after Euras has gone out to send out my step 2 CK scores. Guys, I'm telling you, you're wasting your time. I mean, if people that have the best of the best scores, if some of them did not match, how much more you that just has a step one score? So I'm telling you right now, for those of you that are participating this year's match, if you can, get your step one score out, get your step 2 CK score out before Euras goes out. So that you just give yourself maximum consideration from the very beginning, right? And the thing is with step one, moving to a pass fail system next year, right? Where there is no score, right? It's only pass or fail. If you fail the exam, starting next year, that's almost like a death sentence to application. Can you be rehabilitated? Absolutely, right? I've worked with tons of people that have failed step one and now they are residents. They've literally moved on with their lives and stuff, but I'm telling you, I'm telling you, if you fail step one in the pass fail system, that's going to be a very, that's like a poison pill to your application. It's very, it's going to be very, very hard for you to match, giving those things, right? So you just need to make sure, I mean, obviously you can cross step 2 CK or whatever and step 2 CK basically, ladies and gentlemen, is now the most important exam in med school, right?

Because again, even step one, like again, I've seen people who lose step one scores, but then they really crush it on step 2 CK and then he helps them, right? So step 2 CK is like, in fact, many, the USML is these days, they are bringing a lot of step one concepts to step 2 CK. It's almost like they're like, okay, you know, step one pretty much is going to be, you know, almost like a foregone exam at this point. So step 2 CK, we got to work on that, but again, I'm telling you, don't because I know some med students because whether you like it or not, it's not everyone in medicine that is hard working. There are many people in medicine that at least trust me, I know some of these people, right? So like, if you say, oh, you know what? Because step 1 is pass fail, I'll just do the minimum required work, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, I'm telling you, you may be in for a very rude awakening because if you fail step one, so it's just one of those things where you want to do it, okay, yeah, the score doesn't matter if you pass, great, if you fail, I'm telling you, you're in very big soup. I mean, that's an expression I'm using like, you're literally in very big soup. If you fail, if you fail the exam, right? So just make sure that you do well on the, you at least pass, right? You at least pass. And the thing for people that are like, oh, should I put in any effort to study for a step one? Let me tell you this.

The thing is, if you pass the exam, what you bear, oh, like, you know, you pass just because it's now a pass fail exam. And let's say you don't put in great effort, that if that low efforts that you put in for step one, it will be very strongly reflected on step two CK. That's the truth, right? Most of the people that do well on step two CK, surprise surprise, the cross step one to start with, right? So the thing is, I feel like this step one pass fail business that is starting next year is going to mask many people's poor foundations, right? But unfortunately, that poor foundation will pop up on step two CK, right? And because sometimes it's almost better for you to get a really low score on step one. And then you realize that, oh crap, I'm not as good as I thought I am. Let me put in more work and really kill step two, right? At least you have a whole year of your 30 and everything to do well on step two. But let's say you see people this one, this time the, you know, the past step one, they're like, oh, okay, I'm okay. And then you get to get to see like August of the year where they're applying for residency. And then they notice that, wow, they took step two CK and got like a two, ten or something, like some really little score, right? They're like, wait, what? But I thought I passed step one, right?

So again, I'm encouraging you like the fact that step one is going past fail, I'm telling you, shouldn't really change your study approach or how much work or effort that you plan to put into study to study for the exam, right? So again, for people that eat much today again, it's really, I mean, on Monday, I guess, or people that also didn't get sparse through the soap, it's okay to be disappointed, right? It's okay to be disappointed, but the thing I would just say is don't let yourself be defined by that, okay? Don't let yourself be defined by that, be disappointed, you know, cry. Like all these things are natural reactions to getting tough news, either not matching or matching at a place where you did not want to go, right? But this cycle just really, really, really, I feel like there's a lot, definitely lots of lessons from this cycle in terms of just, I mean, I feel like COVID really screwed over a lot of people, right? Because people apply to way more programs than they would apply to under no more circumstances, and people went on way more interviews than they would go under no more circumstances. So I just feel like this COVID cycle really, really, really screwed things a lot for people. I mean, like the data is really, it's really shocking, right? Like, for example, if you're looking at just MD candidates, right? Like in 2017, 2018, the metrics were about 96%. In 2019, the metrics were about 95%. In 2020, the metrics were about 94%. This year, it's about 92.8%.

Right? So if you then lump in like the deal graduates, if I'm remembering the data that I reviewed correctly, deal met students, the match rate was less than 90% was like 89.0 something percent. So that means like one out of every 10 deal candidates did not match. And I can imagine that number is way lower for four medical graduates, right? So again, that's the trend. You can see like 96%, 95%, 94%. Now this year 93%. This is for USMD graduates, right? It's more like 92.8%. It's going to get even lower next year, right? So again, I'm telling you, even the competitive specialties, they are getting even more competitive, right? So again, many people didn't match this year. So I'm encouraging people that are going to be doing going through this process, the cycle, or going to be going through this process in the future. If the government is not creating more residency positions, you better make sure you work your butt off. You work really hard. Again, many people are like, ah, you just started med school. Why do I need to put in all this work? Like, like, come on, don't be a gunner. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Well, let me tell you this. Is that for people to ridicule you and make fun of you that you're working hard from D1? Then for you to suffer the shame and intense, like, mental anguish that happens from not matching, right? Trust me, like, if you want motivation, in fact, I mean, this is kind of like, ah, pretty grew something to do.

But for a med school administration, if you have students that are studying their, ah, their first year of med school, you know, like in August or whatever, and you're trying to give them motivation to like study and put in the hard work, just maybe have a saved thread from Reddit of people that did not match for them to review that just to tell themselves that guys, you better work your bottom. Because to be honest with you, again, people don't match for a large number of reasons. Again, I feel like this COVID cycle really screwed up a lot of people, right? But again, putting the work from the beginning, again, some of you may be like, oh, divine, you don't know my story. Yes, again, I'm not going to meet this blanket statement. But they are definitely certain people that, again, I've heard of that I know that just from the beginning, they did not put in the work, right? And now, like, they're surprised that, wow, why did I not match? Why did I not match? Right? Well, these were the same people that just did not put in the work. I mean, like, again, I know these things because I've worked with, and I currently work with tons and tons and tons of students. They are just some people that are flat out lazy that do not put in the work, right? So again, put in the work. Put, put, put, put, put in the work. Put in the work and you'll be, you'll get the benefit in the end. It's better for you to suffer now and play later than play now and suffer later, right?

So that's a very important thing. So again, for people that didn't match, it's okay to be disappointed. Don't let that define you. Don't let that define you. What I will encourage you to do is if your medical is offering the option of not graduating, take that option, right? Many times it's just a lot easier matching when you're still enrolled in med school than when you're out of med school. Although, again, the situation varies by student, right? So obviously, like, you know, people have some very peculiar circumstances, right? So for people that have peculiar circumstances, again, you can, you have, kind of have to take some of these things on a case by case basis. But I will encourage you if you're a med student and you did not match, if you can, especially if you can do this at low cost staying school, take the time off, do research, right? Do something that is tangible. And one thing I would say is when you're making plans as to, oh, what residency should apply for, should apply for the same residency as well, the thing is this cycle, kind of give you an indication that you know what maybe your application for you to not have matched. Maybe your application was not the most competitive for that particular discipline, right? So I will encourage you. The smart thing to do in those circumstances is you can be for your application for that same specialty, but you should also try to be for your application for an alternative specialty.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket, right? Don't put all your eggs in one basket because again, I feel like some people, I kind of delusioned on like you see someone they're trying to get into plastic surgery, right? But they have like two, less than a two ten on step one and a two twenty something on step two, and they have like one publication, right? Again, if you think you're going to match into plastic surgery with that, we show the best, right? I wish all the best, but you kind of need to be realistic with this process, right? And then for people that are for medical graduates, again, I'll just kind of encourage you, same thing, same thing, same thing, right? Do really well on the USML Es, right? Again, being a for medical graduate, right, of the bad again, sorry to say, but I won't even be surprised if programs are going to start being a lot more stringent with accepting for medical graduates because they're like, oh, you know what? Wow, the match rate for American medical graduates this year was really low. We should give a spot to people that are from the US before give it to people from other countries. Again, you know, there's this whole ethical thing with that. I don't know if I will say that that's the entirely correct thing to do, right? So I would just say as a for medical graduate, just put in the work is going to get more competitive for no four to four years, right?

But again, like, you know, because I feel like we're in a time where the laws change, right? And I mean, if countries could close borders, right? Because of COVID, you know, for good reason, right? Again, you don't know what will happen. You don't know what range will be thrown in the match process, right? I mean, like think about it. What if the NRMP says, oh, you know what? Program should give preference to American medical graduates or whatever, right? So the thing is you don't know what the future will hold. So if you are still studying for these exams, you better put in the work. I'll tell you right now, you better put in the work, you better put in the work, right? And then some for people that are applying again, what are what are some bits of advice that I will give for what are going to be going either going through this process again or applying again. Here are some things you should keep in mind. One, try to get the best scores you can, right? Two, put together a very solid application, right? I mean, like the thing is, doing applications are not just all about scores, right? Like, again, I've reviewed tons of applications in my day. I mean, I've reviewed tons of applications with this pass cycle, right? And you see people have like very awful applications. They are wondering how they got in the how they did not match or how they got in the soul. But if you read, if you look at some people's applications, read it with grammatical errors.

The thing is programs and very likely will very likely have a, I can almost pause it that will have another zoom cycle this year. Programs, they are getting more applications than they can handle, right? If you application, if you give them many reasons to say, wow, this person could not even put in the work to get rid of grammatical errors to do this, to do that, to do this, to do that. Then you're not going to stand out and they're going to toss your application in the trash, right? So you need to stand out even more with how competitive things are getting, right? So you can put together a solid application and don't wait till two weeks before the era deadline. No, start this process early. Get your personal statements done. Get your rec letters from people, right? Tell them all to have it on standby, to have it ready because sometimes you see some people, they ask five people for rec letters and they only have one going in when the era's application is going in, right? So just really be mindful, really be mindful of that, right? So start this process early, right? Prep for the process early. Give yourself options, right? So that you're not stuck with just one option, right? And again, one thing I'll also say is people need to be flexible, right? Again, especially if you know that your scores are not the best in the world, then you need to be flexible. You may want to apply to a backup specialty.

That may be a smart thing to do because you kind of need to put your priorities that, oh, do I really want to match in this specialty or do I really want to match in a specialty, right? So you kind of need to be mindful of that, right? And again, one thing I'll just say is, especially for people that maybe may have much that a place that's much lower than the ranked list, again, I know this is a top spill to swallow, but the thing is there's really not much you can do to change the situation like today, right? The only thing you can do is go start your residency program, but one thing you can do is you can then see if you can switch to a different residency program or something. Switches are tough, but they are definitely doable. I can tell you that from experience, switches are tough, but they are definitely doable, right? So don't define your worth by the prestige of where you match. In fact, if I were you, one thing I always tell people to do is if you're in this situation where you match at a place you don't really want to go, one, try to go in with a good perspective. I'm telling you, many times in life is not the situations that surround you that matter. It's the individual walking into that situation that matters. Perspective matters. Find something in that program you like. Even if it's in a place you don't want to go, even if it's with people you don't want to be with, find something good, right? And keep emphasizing that. Keep being that thing.

You've led that bit of thing. You keep focusing on. If you keep focusing on that, again, you'll notice that the time will and telling your residency flies by really quickly, right? Residency flies by really quickly, right? And again, remember, what you do is not who you are, right? What you do is not who you are. You matter a lot more because again, like, I mean, for some of you listeners, what you can probably tell that, you know, I'm a Christian, right? So for me, like, I'm a man of faith, I don't just look at life based on the prestige of the program I'm matching to or the, oh, I matched number one on my rank list or, oh, I'm going to this program in sunny California or whatever. No, no, no, no, no, no, those are not my priorities. I have a completely different set of priorities, because for me, when I'm making life decisions, I don't make decisions based on, oh, the here and now I'm thinking more long term. What will be the thing that gives me the best long term benefit? Again, there are many things that are more that I feel like should be more important than your job. Again, this is just personal opinion, right? Things like your family, things like your faith, right? For me, those things are much higher priorities than my job or the nimbran of where I matched or whatever, right? So again, what you do is not who you are. Who you are is a lot more than that, right? Who you are is a lot more than that.

And again, you know, I've had the opportunity to work with people that are dying, right? And again, trust me, where they matched or how prestigious their job was was not the thing that was their priority in those final moments, right? So just kind of have that perspective. Really, again, as I've said, a lot of life is perspective. A lot of life is perspective, right? So again, we'll likely have another COVID cycle, put together a solid application, try to get your step one and step two CK scores in, get your regulators in early, right? And be flexible. Again, it's really sad because I feel like the anxiety from this year's cycle is, I mean, from this past cycle that just literally finished today, it's going to feel into next year this coming cycle study in September, October, right? Because people will read all these horror stories of people that didn't match and then they will apply to even more programs. And then it's going to be an even bigger problem next year, right? So I'm really hoping the government establishes more residency spots, right? Or just something of that nature, because I'm telling you this process, like really this year, to be honest with you, I'm almost still in shock as to what happened. Although it's not a big surprise, just kind of given all that has been happening, right? So again, we likely have another COVID cycle, so be flexible and be realistic. I think those are two big things, right? Put your best foot forward, be flexible.

Okay, let me see three things. Put your best foot forward, be flexible, be realistic, right? You go to someone that can evaluate your application like, okay, wow, okay, look at your scores. What are the things that can be worked on here, right? Like your personal statement, you can really help yourself out there, right? The way you describe your experiences, you can really help yourself out there, right? Don't be lazy with your era's application. I've seen some people, you see these people, they have this research project they've done, this they've done, that they've done, and then they have a very thin era's application. It shouldn't be so, right? Literally your future is in your hands, right? So again, we'll likely have another Zoom cycle, so I'll encourage you to be smart and do as many things as you can to put yourself in a position to succeed, right? To put yourself in a position to succeed, right? So again, really sad, like at least amongst like the US medical graduates, both M Ds and deals, roughly one intended not match, right? Roughly one intended not match. So again, for those if you can, don't graduate, do some research before your application, but also consider applying to a different discipline as well, right? I think those are all smart things you can do, right? So again, give yourself options, and I think at the end of the day, that's that's maybe what at all I have to say.

And then as I do at the end of every podcast, again, I'll throw one on one tutoring for all the USMLA exams. And then I also tutor for the Met School shelf exams, and you know preclinical Met School exams, and then I also do a lot of application advising for the ERAS process, the NRMP process, and also I also have a, you know, USMLA courses that come come along on a fairly regular basis. So if you're interested in any of these things, just shoot me an email through the website and I'll give you some more information. And then also please subscribe to the website, Divine Intervention Podcasts with an S at the end.com. If you subscribe, then when I make a new podcast, you'll get an email notification. And then I also, you know, have these podcasts on Apple podcasts on Google podcasts on Spotify. So please do subscribe, and also have a You Tube channel Divine Intervention, you have semi-leap podcasts and videos. That's where I post the videos that I make. So again, please subscribe to these, again, a bit of support definitely helps. So thank you for listening to this podcast. Again, this is probably a podcast that people that are even in their first year should listen to, right? Because again, this advice will literally apply to you about three years from now, right? So again, for people that just to summarize, for people that did not match take heart, right? Again, it's very discouraging, it's very hard, but again, don't hurt yourself. Don't end your life, right?

Go and seek support from people that can help, right? But don't isolate yourself, right? Because the thing is when a person isolates themselves, they are literally setting themselves up for destruction, right? So don't isolate yourself, right? That's the temptation to like, oh, hide out from people, hide away, store yourself away in your room. But I'm telling you, it's not, it's not worth it, right? You're literally not putting yourself in a position to succeed if you did that, right? So again, I'm encouraging you just please, please, please, please, please, don't isolate yourself. At least reach out to people you know will not judge you like your parents. And to be honest with you, stay off social media, stay off the Facebook, stay off the Twitter, stay off the Reddit, stay off the SD and you know why? I'm not saying you, I'm not like disparaging these things. Of course, you can go on them. But the thing is if you know that people get various temptations, right? They'll make all these posts. Oh, I'm so proud to announce that I matched up my number one for integrated plastics, dermatology, neurosurgery, right? And then they say all those things and they're going to feel crushed on the inside, right? The thing is remember, what you feed your mind with will determine what your life will be, right? That's why there's this part of the Bible that says that you should guard your heart with all diligence because out of it proceeds all the issues of life, right?

So if you're seeing all this news of people that succeeded, but you didn't match, it's going to crush your soul, right? So the thing is do things that will feed you with more positive information, right? Do things that will feed you more positive information. And then for those that matched at places that are much, much lower on their rank list than the plant for, again, I will encourage you perspective. It's not the ideal situation. It's okay to cry, it's okay to be disappointed, but again, you matched, you got a position. Trust me, there are many people that will want that less than ideal spot that you got, right? It's still sucks to be in your situation. But again, I'm telling you find good things about the program, about the location that you matched, right? Find the good and focus on those things. Again, many things in life, not about the situation you're frosting to, is about the person that is frosting to that situation, right? And then for those of you that are going to be going through the process, I will encourage you, put your best foot forward, get the best scores you can, get as much research as you can, done, right? Be realistic, be flexible, right? If you're like, if you have like average scores and you're like, I'm most match at the number one program in sunny California or in the big apple, then I'm telling you, you're very likely setting yourself up for some kind of failure, right? You got to be flexible.

Again, you need to ask yourself what your priorities are. Do you want to match at a brand name program or do you want to match at a program, right? So again, at the end of the day, when you graduate, yes, don't get me wrong, those prestige matters, it absolutely matters. And again, I will say this humbly as a person that went to like a top two medical in the country, right? So most of you probably know I went to Johns Hopkins for medical, right? So press pedigree absolutely matters. If I say if it doesn't matter, I'm lying to you. It absolutely, absolutely positively matters, right? But again, the thing is when you graduate from residency, you're very likely to find a job, at least your most disciplines, but that's a completely different conversation, right? So just remember, be thankful, right? I mean, the Bible says in everything, give things because this is the will of God the Father, right? So be thankful, even if you didn't get what you wanted, be thankful, be thankful. You'll achieve that long-caldoring you've had of becoming a physician, right?

And again, some I feel like in many situations of life, when things don't turn out the way you want, actually down the line, maybe five, 10 years down the line, actually see that wow, okay, this thing that happened was a good turn of fate that led me to this person like, oh, that turn of fate may lead you to your future spouse, or may lead you to a future environment where you end up finding a really good job, or something, you know, again, like I love this part of the Bible, maybe I'll even use this to sign off, right? That you know, that says that, oh, and we know this, that all things work together for the good of them that love God, and to them that are called according to His purpose, right? So like all things, so those all things does not just include good circumstances, right? It includes both good and bad circumstances, right? But you also kind of need to see through the eyes of faith. So just have some faith, right? Have some faith that things will work out well in the end, okay? So again, if you need any of my services or you need any help with through this process, just shoot me, an email through the website, and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction. So thank you for listening. I'll see you next time. God bless you. Thank you.

Do not hurt yourself or end your life over matching results; remember that your worth extends far beyond your career.

Step 2 CK, because USMLE bodies are increasingly incorporating Step 1 concepts into it.

Take time (e.g., six months) to work hard on self-improvement and application components before applying again, rather than giving up.

It will be a "poison pill" or major detriment, making it very difficult to match.

Stay off social media (Facebook, Reddit, etc.) because viewing others' successes can negatively impact your mental state and feed negative self-talk.

Waiting until the last minute; they must start early to allow time for personal statements and securing recommendation letters.

Be flexible and do not put all your eggs in one basket; apply to alternative specialties as well.

The rate declined from around 96% (2017) down to approximately 92.8% this year.

A polished, grammatically error-free personal statement and comprehensive supporting documents.

They are likely setting themselves up for failure because they are not being realistic about their current profile.

"What you do is not who you are"; one's worth and value come from internal perspective, family, and faith, not job prestige or location.

Taking time off to conduct research or work on tangible projects before re-applying for the next cycle.

Be flexible and do not put all your eggs in one basket; apply to alternative specialties as well.

The rate declined from around 96% (2017) down to approximately 92.8% this year.

A polished, grammatically error-free personal statement and comprehensive supporting documents.

They are likely setting themselves up for failure because they are not being realistic about their current profile.

"What you do is not who you are"; one's worth and value come from internal perspective, family, and faith, not job prestige or location.

Taking time off to conduct research or work on tangible projects before re-applying for the next cycle.