THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VIRMP SCHEDULE
Every year, the VIRMP website publishes the schedule for the upcoming Match. It is of utmost importance that you familiarize yourself with it and understand what it means, how to prepare, and what to do in and for each stage/deadline. We discuss these in other posts, and go into great detail in our e-Book, How to Navigate the Matching Program.
Bottom line, if you don't pay attention to the VIRMP deadlines, you won't be able to plan ahead, and in some cases, actually almost miss a deadline if you're really not paying attention. This adds unnecessary stress, and even lead to application errors/mistakes that can cost you a position in the upcoming Match.
LET'S LOOK AT EACH DEADLINE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE (THE APPLICANT)
TAKE HOME POINTS
After last year's success, we're now publicly offering coaching sessions on the Matching Program.
Click here for more details!
If you are on the fence about doing an internship, you can always put your APPLICATIONS in by early December. Then, if you decide you don’t want to do an internship, you can just not rank any. You won’t be entered into the system, so you won’t be matched. If you decide you DO want to do an internship, then you put your rank list in. It gives you another month to consider your future.
It’s important to keep the application deadline in mind when thinking about your letters of recommendation, as well! I have some complementary advice on that, including structuring your senior year with this schedule in mind: http://vetducator.com/mastering-the-internship-application-timeline/
Totally agree – there is zero reason to rush in to register, apply and rank programs! Be familiar with the deadlines and plan ahead, which includes letters of recommendation. Always give your letters writers enough time! You don’t want those to be rushed.