An Interesting Residency Interview

[nostromo]

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I received feedback a few weeks ago regarding
a residency interview.

If you're interested in which program, you can e mail me by checking my profile.

Anyway, this was for a PGY-2 spot in preventive medicine, which has an academic and a practicum year, leading to the MPH degree and board certification through the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

My interviews went extremely well, but the program director informed me that only one faculty member has some reservations about accepting me for the following reason:

I flunked and had to repeat an undergraduate Biochemistry course. Thus, this faculty member felt I might not be up to the academic challenge of an MPH program.

I found this rather interesting, in light of the fact that I managed to finish medical school and pass parts 1-3 of the boards, not to mention medical school biochemistry, which I felt, was much harder.

Anyway, I was eventually offered a position, so the story has a happy ending.

I guess the moral is: anything can come back to haunt you.

Maybe a hidden agenda?

Okay, now I'm just being paranoid.

 

[Pikevillemedstudent]

Nostromo,
Could you please give me an explanation on what exactly the field of preventive medicine encompasses? Also, could you discuss practice opportunities and salary? Thank you very much
Pike

 

[Rusty]

During one of my residency interviews, an interviewer began the interview by stating "from you record, you know something about statistics, right." I nodded in a vague sort of way, although I failed to see what this had to do with a Neurology residency interview.

"Do you need to perform an F-test if you have already performed a two-tailed t-test? he asked.

My first thought was that this person was a tremendous loser for asking this question. If he was going to pimp me (which is rare at Neuro interviews) he might have though to pimp me about Neurology.

My second thought was that I knew the answer for some silly reason, so I answered his question correctly which seemed to irritate him.

Next, he noted that I received a C grade in Economics 101 as a freshman undergraduate 13 years prior to this interview.

"You seemed to have difficulty with this economics course. What happened there?" he asked.

"Well... it was 13 years ago. I imagine that I was not motivated to study for this course," I replied.

"Hmmm. That's interesting. But, what do you think really happened there?" he asked in an tone I didn't like.

"I'm not quite sure what happened with this course...it was 13 years ago. Since that time I have had many academic experiences and throughout graduate school and medical school I have remained near the top of my class academically," I responded.

"Yes, you record is exemplary. However, I am concerned over this Economics course which you took as an undergraduate. Why do you think that it caused you so much trouble?" he continued as if he had not heard a word that I said.

Later, I had an oppportunity to think about this experience and I decided that this interviewer was an ass. He was trying to provoke me into a response that he could use against me for some reason. I tried not to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he irritated me.

I decided not to rank this program based upon this and other negative experiences during my interview day. However, my lasting impression of this program was this ass. Remember, intereviews are an opportunity to evaluate the program and this program failed.

 

[Rusty]

The Central Application Service of the San Francisco Match which serves allopathic Neurology, Neurosurgery, ENT and Ophthalmology programs requires undergraduate transcripts as part of the standardized application packet.

 

[nostromo]

Sorry to take so long to respond.

This is a program in occupational/preventive medicine, which does not participate in the match. None do. You apply directly for a pgy-2 position. Most programs prefer board eligibility or certification in a primary care specialty, but it's not required.

This is an allopathic program and there are about 20 altogether, and one osteopathic program in Ft. Lauderdale.

They wanted my undergrad trascripts because part of the residency includes one year of course work leading to the MPH. I guess they wanted to be sure I could handle "Masters-Level" course work. Also, most MPH students don't have advanced degrees, so, the y simply have the same requirements for every one.

I know, sounds kind of ridiculous that I would get raked over the coals for a few slip ups in undergrad, considering my future course work.

One thing about being in the military: you become quite adept at smiling and nodding a lot.

Going to the gym and running 5 miles a day seems to help. So far, I've managed to avoid road rage, but, if I move to New Jersey (hint hint), that may change.


Mike

 

[Neurogirl]

That's the most ridiculous thing I've EVER heard! I have an MPH (which I finished during my first year of med school) and it's not that difficult a program. In fact, I found it easier than undergrad! In view of your subsequent training, I really don't understand their logic. I wonder if the faculty member in question was even a physician. If not, that might explain their attitude.

 

[nostromo]

Actually, Neurogirl, the interviewer was a physician.

The more I think about it, perhaps she was just testing my meddle. After all, this was an interview and I guess she just wanted to see how I would respond. I'm so burnt out right now that I didn't even flinch. I guess that's a good thing in this instance.

As far as the MPH goes: my understanding is that they're not all created equal.

I have a buddy from Tulane who told me getting the MPH was about as challenging as graduating from the 6th grade.

From that comment, I gather that basic requirements for the MPH are similar from program to program, but the core curriculum may be more challenging at some institutions.

For example, some require a thesis, others do not. Interestingly, Johns Hopkins doesn't. Very interesting.

In answer to a previous inquiry: I believe salaries for occ med/prev med specialists start in the 150-160k range.

Hope this helps.

Anyone know if ER is new this week? It's the only way I can get my CME.