Recently I had a very odd interview experience. I'm still trying to digest the experience.
A little background: I'm a US MD grad applying to a 3-year residency program. I have a significant red flag on my application that caused me to not match last year. I am currently reapplying. I have a hand full of interviews this time, so each one matters. The interview in question was arranged by a family friend who works at the hospital; i.e. he pulled some strings to get me the interview. The place is in a major southern city and most of the residents have been historically D.O.s or FMGs. They take in <10 interns per year.
I will enumerate the oddities:
1. The email interview invite contained only one date, no other options for interview date. There was an option as to what time I would interview though. So, I thought this was odd, but I rationalized that since it was getting late in the interview season for a small program, that I was being squeezed in after they have finished conducting all of their interviews.
2. I was the only applicant there that day.
3. I met directly with the program director, and only the program director. I barely even said hello to the program coordinator. And although we conversed for almost 45 minutes, the program director is the only person I met. In fact, I was surprised he was the PD, because another person is listed on FREIDA as the PD.
4. There was no tour, no discussion about the curriculum, about the hospital, the program.
5. I did not meet one resident.
In conclusion, I'm feeling bummed out. I feel this was a sham interview. And although I feel I had a substantive discussion with the PD for the most part, I feel that he was bull-****ting me also at times. I've met quite a few PDs and am now getting good at seeing through their crap. The more I think about this experience, the more I alternate between laughter and anger. But honestly, I think I've been hosed.
A little background: I'm a US MD grad applying to a 3-year residency program. I have a significant red flag on my application that caused me to not match last year. I am currently reapplying. I have a hand full of interviews this time, so each one matters. The interview in question was arranged by a family friend who works at the hospital; i.e. he pulled some strings to get me the interview. The place is in a major southern city and most of the residents have been historically D.O.s or FMGs. They take in <10 interns per year.
I will enumerate the oddities:
1. The email interview invite contained only one date, no other options for interview date. There was an option as to what time I would interview though. So, I thought this was odd, but I rationalized that since it was getting late in the interview season for a small program, that I was being squeezed in after they have finished conducting all of their interviews.
2. I was the only applicant there that day.
3. I met directly with the program director, and only the program director. I barely even said hello to the program coordinator. And although we conversed for almost 45 minutes, the program director is the only person I met. In fact, I was surprised he was the PD, because another person is listed on FREIDA as the PD.
4. There was no tour, no discussion about the curriculum, about the hospital, the program.
5. I did not meet one resident.
In conclusion, I'm feeling bummed out. I feel this was a sham interview. And although I feel I had a substantive discussion with the PD for the most part, I feel that he was bull-****ting me also at times. I've met quite a few PDs and am now getting good at seeing through their crap. The more I think about this experience, the more I alternate between laughter and anger. But honestly, I think I've been hosed.
