The scramble: be aware and be prepared.

The scramble is is an opportunity for internship hopefuls who did not receive a match to send applications to internship programs that did not fill all of their spots. It's a second chance to apply to internships you may have not considered before. And while participating in the scramble is something to look forward to, preparing for the possibility ahead of time will make it much less painful if you don't match, and decide to participate in the scramble as a result.

The scramble takes place three days after notification day. What happens is a list of programs with openings available after the initial matching is released. Potential interns can then contact those programs directly, to try to join their program. The list can be found on the D&D Digital site, on the left side titled something along the lines of "Fall 2010 Programs With Openings." This page, before the programs are listed, will inform you when the listings will become available. It is important to note that the list of available programs will be posted at midnight D&D Digital's time, so if possible, plan to begin looking at the list then, and not the morning of.

Because only about half of all internship applicants match, even if you believe you are highly qualified and very likely to match, preparing for the scramble before notification day is a good idea. While you may have a couple days between notification day and the scramble, many people who do not match will be very distraught at this time, and being prepared before this time may lower your stress.

The following is a list of things to do, many of which were recommended by my undergraduate program director, to prepare before notification day.

- Prepare digital copies of all of the application materials you have. This includes things like your application form, a general application letter/personal statement, unofficial transcript(s), and resume. If possible, turn these into pdf files, as e-mailing word documents may change formatting.

- Prepare a generic e-mail that you can edit, requesting the chance to apply for an internship. DO NOT send this generic e-mail! Once you have determined which programs with openings you will be applying to in the scramble, you will need to personalize this generic e-mail as much as possible in the small amount of time you have.

- In this e-mail, you should include that you have attached digital copies of the files listed above, and note that if they need a copy of your letters of recommendation that you can obtain new copies of them for the program in question as soon as possible.

- Let the people who are writing your letters of recommendation know as soon as you find out you were not matched, that you may need new copies of their letters for the scramble. That way you truly will be able to send them "as soon as possible."

- Try to get your hands on a copy of the Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice for the scramble. An electronic copy in particular may be useful, as if it's a text/pdf file you can use the search function to look up internships, instead of flipping through pages. This may give you more information than looking on the program's website will.

- Block off your entire day (or at least the first half of it) to do nothing but take part in the scramble. If you have class, try to get the notes ahead of time or from someone else.

- Ask people in your support system, your family and friends, to come help you on the day of the scramble. You don't have to go through the scramble alone, and more eyes will allow you to look through all of the potential programs more quickly. Emphasize to them just how important this is to you, and if possible, ask them to block off their calendar for you even before notification day. If you don't end up having to go through the scramble, you could always use this time to celebrate instead!

- You'll likely be monopolizing computer and internet on the day of the scramble. You'll need internet access to research programs where you may want to apply, and to send out applications by e-mail. And if you have an electronic copy of the Applicant Guide to Supervised Practice, you'll want access to that as well.

- You'll also want to monopolize the phone. You'll want to have the phone line free all day, so that if a program you apply to you is interested, you will be able to receive their call. So if you've got roommates or family at home, this is further reason to involve them in the scramble with you, so that they aren't interfering with your ability to be contacted. While it may be tempting to only list your cellphone line to receive calls, a dropped call could be disastrous, so if you have access to a land line, that may be the better choice on scramble day.

- Try to get access to a fax machine. Some internships may specify that they want your application and/or materials sent by fax, so if you have a friend who owns one, ask to borrow it. If you can't borrow one, make sure you know the location of the closest place you can pay to send a fax from, such as Kinko's.

I was able to successfully obtain an internship spot in the scramble because I was prepared for it and because my family helped me get decide which programs to apply to. Being thoroughly prepared for the scramble is tantamount to being successful in it, and doing so as soon as possible, even before you find out if you match or not, will help make it less painful.

Source(s): D & D Digital. (2007). D & d digital. Retrieved from http://www.dnddigital.com/