Accepting/ Declining interview offers questions

Started by psych23
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

psych23

New Member
10+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Okay, I need some help on this one. I looked all over SDN and couldn't find a solid thread on this subject. If I somehow overlooked it, please direct to the thread.

When I get interview offers, what time line do I have for accepting or declining the interview? I assumed I should answer right away in case the slots fill up, but then it's hard to schedule in a way to have all the interviews in the same region at once. Is it okay to pick a date and then switch it later on or would that prove to be difficult if all the slots fill up?

I can always decline some interviews but it is so early in the process I don't know how many offers I will get. This is preventing me from declining some offers that I feel like I should.

Any thoughts on this? What would be my best strategy?
 
There have been a lot of great discussions about this exact subject on this forum devoted to ERAS and the NRMP match. A couple of program directors have weighed in with their thoughts.

Cliff notes: Rescheduling is fine and not surprising. Just do so politely and give 2-4 weeks notice of cancellation.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I accepted every interview as they came in, and built a nice do-able interview schedule. Then as more desirable offers came in, I canceled the lesser interviews with a brief email. Something like:


"Thank you for the opportunity to interview with your program. Unfortunately I will no longer be able to attend the interview. I wish you the best of luck for this interview season."


Basically every program took that well. Cancel interviews as early as possible.