Re-applying to residency programs question

[LM10]

Hello,
I graduated from pharmacy school in May 2018. I applied to 11 programs and did not get an interview. I'm working in a retail pharmacy in the meantime. I'm thinking of applying again for next year.
What are the chances of matching with a residency program in my case?
Are there any tips I need to do to increase my chances of matching with a residency program at this point? I really appreciate your answers.
Thanks.

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[projektreverb]

Pretty sure the stats show lower match numbers for people who have graduated and are 1+ year out. That’s not to say it’s impossible. I know someone who left retail after 6 years to do residency and matched.

You say you applied to 11 programs and didn’t match. I’d revisit your strategy for program selection and take a cold hard look at your application material like your personal statement.

 

[LM10]

Pretty sure the stats show lower match numbers for people who have graduated and are 1+ year out. That’s not to say it’s impossible. I know someone who left retail after 6 years to do residency and matched.

You say you applied to 11 programs and didn’t match. I’d revisit your strategy for program selection and take a cold hard look at your application material like your personal statement.

Thanks for your response. Do you think it is important to go to mid year in my case?

 

[Papichulooo_92]

To answer your question regarding midyear, IMO, it is not required nor is it a "make or break". Banking on traveling all the way to California this year to have a potentially 5-10 min interaction per program, does not really increase your chances more than a "smidge". I would say if you were really committed to this, find local showcases in the area/surrounding states. The smaller showcases that lead up to midyear had much more of an impact and meaningful. Best of luck, anything is possible. Stay determined, keep building a quality CV.

 

[LM10]

To answer your question regarding midyear, IMO, it is not required nor is it a "make or break". Banking on traveling all the way to California this year to have a potentially 5-10 min interaction per program, does not really increase your chances more than a "smidge". I would say if you were really committed to this, find local showcases in the area/surrounding states. The smaller showcases that lead up to midyear had much more of an impact and meaningful. Best of luck, anything is possible. Stay determined, keep building a quality CV.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it

 

[glhm93]

Don't be discouraged, I know of pharmacists who have worked 1-3 years of retail and who went back to apply to residencies and matched with top programs. I think your best bet is to also keep contact with your previous preceptors.

 

[AlPacino]

Its not impossible but statistically speaking, every year you wait to reapply for residency, your chances go down. Ive seen it happen where a rph does 2-4 years of retail and reapplies to residency and gets accepted but its alot harder then mentioned. Id try to get a job outside of retail in some small hospital, build inpatient experience, and get your BCPS.

 

[phermacist]

I haven't been able to secure a job yet after graduating, should I even bother applying if I can't get new letters of rec?

 

[DOOM N GLOOM]

I haven't been able to secure a job yet after graduating, should I even bother applying if I can't get new letters of rec?

You should focus on getting a job. If you’re not even job material, then there’s no way you’re residency material.

 

[projektreverb]

You should focus on getting a job. If you’re not even job material, then there’s no way you’re residency material.

I’ve seen people go the wrong route and apply to all the wrong programs. Read: 3-3.3 students with average extracurriculars and not much else going on apply to top notch programs get rejected.

Sometimes, it’s the way you describe. Sometimes, it’s about applying at your level. I credit my success with the match process to one factor alone: I networked with the right people and that’s what I think got me the interview/match.