Dear MS4s:

You’ve reached the penultimate milestone in your medical school career with only graduation standing between you and having the title of “MD”! Like many of the other significant benchmarks you faced throughout your time at UWSOM, this process can be overwhelming and just plain stressful. 

As all of you approach this time of uncertainty, stress, and excitement, we would like to share some thoughts about navigating the next few weeks. Hopefully, you will find this information helpful and possibly encouraging. Consider the following:

Waiting for the Match

• Once you’ve certified your rank list, the waiting begins.  Patience and relaxation are essential. Note that patience is not simply waiting, it’s what we do WHILE we’re waiting. As such, here are some steps you can take to help you make it through the days and weeks between now and Match Week:

• Calm your body. Our bodies interpret fear or anxiety as a direct threat. Our ability to reason decreases while in fight/flight/freeze mode. The calmer your body is, the more focused and in control of your thoughts and feelings you will be. Check out Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer, which are all meditation and mindfulness apps.

• Calm your mind.  Question yourself through rational thinking. Instead of focusing on whether you will match, focus on the straightforward process of visualizing what it will be like being a resident.

• Engage in meaningful self-care. Increase your positive self-talk and embrace the anxiety that comes with waiting for your match result. Make sure you are being mindful of your alcohol and substance use, getting enough sleep, exercise and time with people and things that bring you joy when you are not studying. 

• Have compassion, empathy, and patience with yourself. You have worked so hard and will be prepared to take the next step in your medical career.  You have value and programs will recognize that with offering you a position at their institution.  You’ve earned it.

• Use the resources available to you. Remember you have a team of people who are invested in your success. Reach out:

• Career Advising Team – https://education.uwmedicine.org/career-advising/ 
• Counseling & Wellness Services – https://education.uwmedicine.org/student-affairs/counseling-wellness/
• Specialty Advisors – https://education.uwmedicine.org/career-advising/specialty-guides/

We are proud of you; we are glad that you are here, and we are rooting for you!

Best Wishes,

Cliff Kelly, MS, MDiv, LMHC – Director UWSOM Student Wellness & Counseling Service

Darren Fisher, MA, LMHCA – Medical Student Counselor

Satoko Takeda, MA, NCC, LMHC – Medical Student Counselor

Sarah Thomson, MEd – Director of Career Advising – UWSOM

Linh Ngo, MSW – Career Advisor – UWSOM

Tonja Brown, MA – Career Advisor – UWSOM

Sarah Wood, Director of Student Affairs –UWSOM

Dr. Maya Sardesai, Assistant Dean for Student Development

Dr. Gerald Tolbert, Assistant Dean for Student Support; Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs