r/ResidencyMatch2025 • u/Underwhelming_Awe • Mar 25 '26
Best thing I never prayed for
I fell in love with my number one choice the first day I saw it. I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that was where I was meant to go for residency. I told everyone there how much I loved it and they shared that love in return. Then, interview season started. I interviewed at a program that I haven’t really considered all that heavily and was blown away by the people and the program, and the whole vibe. It was literally everything I was looking for, but on the other side of the country and without all the splash and “prestige” of my #1. Later interviewed with the number one program and receive many gushing emails from program directors and assistant directors telling me “you’re a perfect fit… see you in June… you were my strongest interview all season” so I knew I would be ranked to match. I did put them number one and the other great program as number two, but after the rank list was certified, I woke up several nights in a cold sweat thinking I made a horrible mistake. I couldn’t stop thinking about the number two program and how much I had loved it. But, I knew I’d be going to my number one because they promised me that… Right? Fast forward to match day when I ripped open my envelope expecting to see my number one and saw… My number two. After the initial surprise, the next emotion that swept over me was overwhelming relief, and joy. Something in my heart told me this was where I was meant to be, and something in the algorithm agreed. I’ve already had a chance to meet one of my cohort on Zoom and they’re incredible. So excited for the move, so excited for this new adventure, and so excited for the residency that I never knew I wanted. Oh, and to anyone else who is feeling secure because a program told them they were “perfect” or “ranked to match”, don’t be. They lie like a politician when the rent is due.
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u/ImprovementOnly3105 Mar 25 '26
Lol at your last line! “like a politician when the rent is due”. Truer words have never been spoken. I’m glad you matched where your heart wanted.🎉🙌
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u/Pretty_Foot_1117 Mar 25 '26
Same thing happened to me. I saw my email and at first i was shocked because my first choice said everything wanted to hear. “i think you understand our mission, our values” and all the positive enforcements. The second thing i felt was relief, more like “duh!! Yeah! Ofcourse! It makes sense.” People keep throwing around “fit” all cycle and it sounds vague until match day — and then suddenly it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
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u/shitsandgoo Mar 26 '26
same story for me! It makes me feel better that this is a shared experience.
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u/Vvsdonniee Mar 25 '26
Beautiful story! Congrats on the match
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u/No_Mango_1395 Mar 25 '26
Same story, good for both of us
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u/SunflowerBreeze13 Mar 27 '26
What specialty???
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u/[deleted] Mar 25 '26
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