If you don't match into a surgical critical care program this year, what is your plan?

While reiterating that matching into an excellent surgical critical care fellowship is your dream and vision, think about what you will do if you don't match on this attempt. If you are coming out of residency training, describe the ideal practice you would join and your plan for applying, interviewing, and matching again down the road. No matter how you answer, keep your mood positive and let them know that not matching wouldn't get you down.

"If, for some reason, I did not match into a surgical critical care fellowship coming out of residency, I've already been told I have a clinical position as a vascular surgeon with my training institution. I would accept that offer happily and begin my career in a modern and visionary institution. At that point, I would want to give them their justice and remain in practice for at least three years before attempting a match into this subspecialty again."