How Did Match Week Go?!

Y’all, I cannot believe I am entering my last moments of medical school. Like I am actually shocked. If you have been reading my posts from the beginning then you know that med school has been such a roller coaster of a journey, with many highs but many, many lows. I am truly grateful to Allah (swt) for seeing me through cause it was rough ok?!

Anyway, I was absolutely DREADING match week. For those of you who do not know, medical students from all over the world who applied to U.S. residency programs participate in match week in which after we completed our interviews, we submit a rank list of where we would prefer to go for residency. Then on the first day of Match week which is on a Monday in the 3rd week of March, we find out if we match. Notice how I bolded the if. Because just cause you matched, does not mean you matched at the program or specialty that you wanted. Because some people dual applied out here (looking at you surgical specialty applicants). And then on Friday at 12 pm ET, we all find out at the same time WHERE we matched. It is literally one of the most nerve-wracking moments in any medical student’s life and yea it definitely needs to change because why do y’all make us suffer? 😭😭😭

For those who do not match on that Monday, they have to participate in this process called SOAP. Pretty much you have to reapply and interview for unfilled positions in different specialties. Say, for example, you applied for something like orthopedic surgery and did not match. Then that Tuesday you start applying (a whole new application) and interviewing for different programs with different specialties. So it’s very likely you will be entering a different specialty like family medicine which is less competitive and has more spots. Then on Friday, like everyone else, you will find out whether your interviews were fruitful and if you matched via the SOAPing process.

But what about those who did not match and do not wish to participate in SOAP and change their whole specialty? Then it’s more than likely that you take a year off for research and then re-apply for that same residency position again. Match is truly a horrific process and my heart goes out to anyone who had to go through that because it is such a challenging ordeal.

Match Week was also the first week of Ramadan. And I was also on my emergency medicine rotation. If you have read my last blog, then you know that emergency medicine was not it at all! I was always tired and I had a final to study for which was after match week so I was not having a good time.

I tried to work with my school and ask them if I could take Monday off so I could be at home and find out whether I matched or not, but if you have been reading my blogs, then you know my school is very difficult to work with smh. Therefore, I had to be in class and had to take a short break along with the rest of my classmates to find out if I matched.

So let’s start off on Monday morning, shall we?

It was the first day of Ramadan. I went to the evening prayer the night before and went to bed, anxious for what the next day would offer. I woke up around 5 am to eat the pre-dawn meal and get ready for the day.

As I was driving to the school, I could feel my neck tighten. This was it. What if I did not match? What if I have to SOAP? What would I tell people?

It felt like I was reliving waiting for my STEP one score. Why does the medical school process require waiting so long for one’s results? I just want to know and move on with my life.

As I entered the classroom, I saw all my classmates sitting at the table, the air filled with nervousness and excitement. I could feel my stomach churning. As class started, the teacher told us that we would take a short break before 10 am and that if we did not match, we would have to let them know and step out. Oh my God.

We started out doing simulations that had to do with multiple lacerations. As I was putting a fake IV in the mannequin’s arm, thoughts started swirling in my head. My heart beat faster as each minute passed by. Finally, it was 9:50 a.m. “You are all free to leave to check if you matched but come back in a couple minutes, so we can resume class.”

All of us headed to our cars. “Good luck everyone”, one of my classmates said. Oh my God, I cannot believe this is real!!!!!!

I sat in the car, so nervous, all of the anxiety of the world surrounding me. Please, God, I pray that I match! 🤲🏾🤲🏾🤲🏾🥺🥺🥺

Finally, it was 10 am. I called my mom, scared about the results I would see…

ALHAMDUDILLAH!!!! I MATCHED!!!!! I AM GOING TO BE AN INTERNIST INSHALLAH!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

I literally sobbed in my car for a good 30 minutes y’all. Alhamdudillah I matched! I thought about all the failed exams, being 3 months delayed from my classmates because of Step One, dealing with hatin’ attendings, all those times I did not feel good enough, all of that DRIVING (‼️‼️‼️). I never thought I would ever see this day but Allah (swt) saw me through. Alhamdudillah!

When I came back into the classroom, everyone was too scared to ask me if I matched since I was the last one that came in lol. But when I sat down at my seat instead of heading to the professor, they were all relieved. They all gave the biggest hugs. I reached out to friends and family and my phone literally was blowing up. Alhamdudillah x1000.

Tuesday- Thursday was a blur ngl. I had graduation pictures with the school (which omg I am graduating soon what the heck?!), finished my longitudinal course, and got to see some old friends. But there was one thought in my mind. Now that I matched, where exactly am I going?

I had a dream that I matched at my #2 choice. Even though it was a great program and I would be happy there, I was devastated when I woke up. I really wanted to be at my #1 program. I could not see myself being anywhere else. I connected with the residents and the people there. I considered it my second home.

Therefore, when Friday finally arrived, I was anxious. For those who do not know, on Match Day, some medical students have a ceremony where students open up their envelopes to find out where they are going and can share their results with the school, friends, and family. Because of the dream I had, I decided I did not want to go on stage. What if I did not get my first choice and my disappointment would be seen by everyone? Absolutely not.

My school had a whole day planned for us. Around 9 am, we took a class photo, and then from 10-11ish they gave us breakfast. And then around 11, all of the students headed to the auditorium with our families where we would receive the envelope and then open it.

Y’ALL I WAS NERVOUS! This was truly it. This is the program I will attend for the next three years of my life. Am I ready to find out? I do not know.

As I was reflecting, I asked God that whichever program I receive, I pray that they love me more than I love them. That it will be beneficial for my professional and personal life. That in this program I find peace and that I gain closeness to Him. 🤲🏾🤲🏾🤲🏾

Finally, around 11:58 am, we all ran down to get our envelopes. This small white envelope felt heavy in my hands. It contained where I would be going. Ya Rubb please make me happy with this decision. 🥺🤲🏾🤲🏾🤲🏾

I ran back up to my family. They had their cameras ready for me to open the envelope. Ok, here we go. Bismillah.

I opened the envelope and saw my #1 choice….wait is this real?

I checked again. Yup, I got my #1 choice!!!!!!

Oh my God Alhamdudillah!!!!! I literally screamed and jumped up and down while hugging my family, tears strolling down my face.

I cannot believe it. ALHAMDULLIDAH I MATCH AT MY #1 PROGRAM!!!!!!

All around me I could hear the screams of joy from my classmates, the air filled with happiness.

Then it was time for everyone to announce where they were going. A lot of my classmates matched in many specialties in top programs around the country allahuma barik!

I looked at my family and I could tell they wanted me to share my joy with everyone else. So after most of my classmates finished sharing where they were going, I went on stage to announce it to everyone as well. It was such a surreal moment to experience what I would watch all of the time on Youtube. I would have never in my life imagined this would be me. And if you did not catch on, I am truly grateful to Allah (swt) for getting me through!!!

And that is it y’all. Alhamdudillah, my match week was a success but I do want to hold space for those who did not match or did not match at their top choices. My heart goes out to you and I really pray that you get even better than what you were looking for.

Also, please keep my Palestinian brothers and sisters in your prayers! This genocide is still happening after 6 months and they are truly suffering. Keep protesting, boycotting, and calling your senators. One day this will be over and Palestine will be free inshallah!!!! 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 

Link to help out: https://linktr.ee/raytrospectively