So my son is doing his Small Animal Rotating Internship now and is as happy as you can be working long hours for low pay! He is already thinking about his residency or specialty internship (more programs are requiring this in his specialty). Residencies are hard to come by. Last year there were 83 applicants for 16 postitions in the match. He is also looking at programs outside the match.
He approached his undergrad/veterinary school about the possibility of taking him outside the match. They agreed to look into it during their annual budgeting meetings and might be able to work either 1) a specialty internship with guaranteed follow-on 3 year residency or 2) a 3 year residency (less likely since they have a specialty intern now they may want to keep), or 3) just go through the match.
Last week they called and said asked if he would be in town anytime soon. (He is 7 hours away). He said not til late October but could make a trip earlier and gave a couple of dates. They picked the earliest date and asked if he could come and “chat” with the entire faculty of the specialty. They even offered a weekend or at a restaurant. So Monday he is going there hoping they are going to offer 1 or 2 from above. If so he will accept on the spot! We have our fingers crossed and he and his wife are even meeting with a realtor while they are there. They really want this!
I know that this is a long and demanding road, that requires a lot of strength in a lot of areas. It is great to see your son get the position that he wants and that he deserves!!!
Just a note for anyone in the future looking at this.
A couple of weeks ago my son went to the 2024 ACVR Scientific Conference in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the annual conference for Veterinary Radiologists. He was back and forth about going because of the cost but decided to go. He was so glad that he did! He recommends anyone looking into doing a residency go to the conference for their specialty before the match.
He had already secured his residency position but went to the presentations from schools that he had looked into. One he had applied to but withdrew when he got the job told him he was their top candidate. He was happy since it is a top program but also happy in his decision. Also another place was telling him that they would love him to work for them when he finishes his residency. Also made him happy. He learned a lot about the industry, the companies he could work for, the future of AI in the industry, what some people he had worked with in vet school are now doing. It was a time to make contacts and learn.
It also made him feel so happy he had his residency all lined up. At the meeting for future residents there were lots of people for only a few positions. That is only the ones that went to the conference.
Just something to think about for anyone that is going to pursue a residency in the future.
he gets the residency!!