For many of us around the country, it can be anxiety-laden for a number of reasons:

• - For some, elements of their academic records have been questioned during interviews and give them cause for concern
• - For others, interview experiences and Match statistics that ought to reassure still don’t
• - For others still, specific personal and/or academic reasons can cause anxiety about getting into specific programs
• 
  

I was determined to avoid all this. I spent a great deal of energy choosing which programs to apply to and then, after doing my best to take stock of my goals and values, selecting which ones to visit on interviews. Afterwards, I resolved to fully engage every program that felt consistent with what I wanted and not to mislead those that were not. I asked increasingly specific questions (including many about the presence of patient safety/quality improvement opportunities!), and gradually, my rank list came together. I revisited it numerous times. I felt consistent and content.

But as we approached the date for final list submission (February 22nd), a few unexpected thoughts formed in my mind:

• - Had I ranked everything the right way?
• - Was a one- or two-day visit really enough to assess my favorite programs accurately?

In very specific situations, last-minute list changes can sometimes be beneficial for students. But that wasn’t the case for me. As time passed, it quickly became clear that I needed to stand firm in my original convictions, a decision that required much more courage than changing my list. There was an undercurrent threatening to disorient and panic me, but I was determined to resist it. I took a few more long looks at my rankings, calmed the urge to tweak them, and submitted.

Now, I await Match Day with a surprising measure of excitement, and I’m thankful I remained true to my values throughout. On one level, I certainly hope I get my first choice, like every student does. But on another level, I hope that regardless of outcome, I will be content knowing that I handled everything along the way with serious thought, careful reflection, and honesty.

Because while I’m not sure where I’ll be come July, I know one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt: Match Day is an extremely unique way to find your first job, but it’s an even more unique and important way to find out more about yourself.

- Joshua Liao

Originally posted on March 12, 2012