Things to Know
- You must register for SSO Breast Match in order to send applications to programs.
- You must use the SSO Breast Match Application Service to send applications to programs that are participating in the SSO Breast Match.
- Check with each program about its application requirements. Applications can be customized for each program.
- All application materials are submitted online using the SSO Breast Match Application Service.
- You must submit your application before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 19, 2024. The Application Service closes on January 19, 2024.
Application Service Overview
Access
The Application Service is closed for the 2024 SSO Breast Match. No applications can be prepared or submitted at this time.
Timing
| Application Service Opens | December 18, 2023 |
| Application Deadline | January 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Interview Notifications Begin | February 5, 2024 |
| Interviews | February 29, 2024 - June 29, 2024 |
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 19, 2024. Once the application deadline has passed you are not able to send any applications to programs, but you can download applications that have previously been submitted.
Programs require a significant amount of time to review and evaluate your application before making their interview decisions. Therefore, you should submit your applications as soon possible. You can submit your application before your reference letters have been received. When they are received, your application will be updated automatically and the program will be notified.
Application Process
Consult the Application Service User Guide for detailed instructions for submitting applications.
1
Research Programs of Interest
The List of Participating Programs on this website identifies all fellowships that are registered for the SSO Breast Match.
Consult the SSO Breast Fellowship Program Directory for information about each program and eligibility requirements for an application.
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Other Sources of Information on Programs
- The program's website
- The Program Director
- Past or current fellows at the program.
Tip: As soon as you find a program of interest, add the program to your list of pending applications in the NMS Match System. The Program Director will be notified of your interest and will have access to your contact information, even before you submit your application, so they can reach out to you with information about their program, if they choose to do so.
2
Prepare Your Application Materials
Gather Your Applicant Information
Some of your SSO Breast Match registration information is prepopulated into your application. Other information that is required to complete your application includes:
- US Citizenship and Visa Information
- Academic History
- USMLE or COMLEX, ABSITE or ACOS In-Service Exam, MCCQE Part I Exam Information, if applicable
- License and Certification Information
- Professional Liability Information
Compose a Personal Statement and CV
A Personal Statement and CV must be included with each application you submit. You can customize your Personal Statement and CV for each program if you wish. You should start working on those documents as soon as possible and upload them to the NMS Match System in PDF format when they are complete.
Get Email Addresses for Your Reference Letter Writers
Each application must have between 1 and 5 letters of reference. You may send different reference letters to each program if you wish. You submit requests for reference letters using the NMS Match System, and your chosen reference letter writers upload their letters to the NMS Match System.
Prepare any Supplemental Material
Check with each program as soon as possible regarding its application requirements. If a program requires additional information included as part of its application, you can prepare this information and upload it to the system as a Supplemental Material PDF document.
3
Submit an Application
Your SSO Breast Match registration fee provides you with 15 credits to send applications to programs. Each credit allows you to send one application to one program, regardless of the number of tracks offered by that program. If a program offers more than one track in the SSO Breast Match, you can specify the tracks you are interested in when you submit your application.
If you want to send applications to more than 15 programs, you will have to pay an additional fee of $30 USD per application.
You do not need to send all applications at once. You can send 1 application on one day and 5 applications the next day. However, once an application is submitted to a program, the core components of the submitted application cannot be changed or withdrawn. You will be able to update Supplemental Material after an application has been submitted, so any corrections to application information can be included as Supplemental Material.
Once you submit an application, the program will have access to your application information immediately.
It is your responsibility to monitor the status of any outstanding reference letters and ensure they are submitted in the NMS Match System in a timely manner. You can submit your applications before your reference letters have been received. When they are received, your applications will be updated automatically and the programs will be notified.
Interviews
Programs may elect for either virtual or in-person interviews. There should be one declared approach at each institution, either virtual or in-person, and no hybrid combination of both approaches. SSO supports the autonomy of each program to choose the format that best meets their needs and the needs of their fellowship candidates
Programs may invite applicants to interviews starting on February 5, 2024. No interview offers may be made before this date.
Interviews may be conducted starting on February 29, 2024. All your interviews must be completed by June 29, 2024.
You may freely discuss any matter with a program and both you and the program may express a high level of interest in each other. An applicant may voluntarily inform a program that they intend to rank the program. Similarly, a program may voluntarily inform an applicant that it intends to rank the applicant. However, neither the applicant nor the program may ask or prompt the other side for this information.
Furthermore, neither applicants nor programs may solicit or disclose information about rank positioning. For example, it is prohibited to make statements like "I will rank you first" or "You are at the top of my list".
