Asking the PD how candidates are selected?

[tetris]

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1. "I'm sure you get hundreds of applications, so I was wondering: how do you select from such a large number who to interview and how to rank them?"

2. "How much weight do you place on board scores?"

Are these questions OK to ask at an interview or are they taboo topics?

If they're not taboo, are they in poor taste (would they make me look bad)?

 

[Mariah246]

Too specific.

I'd rather go with the open-ended "What do you look for in an applicant?"

 

[tetris]

Too specific.

I'd rather go with the open-ended "What do you look for in an applicant?"

I dunno about that one. The way it ends off is not positive (and not negative either). I mean, the PD will say something like: we want someone who has shown a dedication to Family Practice, is a hard worker, and loves to work with patients.

Then what can I say but: "oh, ok" or "I see". It somehow makes it seem like I don't have those qualities, know what I mean?

I'd much rather say those things about myself, of my own initiative, than to agree with those words from his mouth.

 

[Quink]

1. "I'm sure you get hundreds of applications, so I was wondering: how do you select from such a large number who to interview and how to rank them?"

2. "How much weight do you place on board scores?"

Are these questions OK to ask at an interview or are they taboo topics?

If they're not taboo, are they in poor taste (would they make me look bad)?

This seems like a waste of a question to me....if you HAVE the interview, move on to the important topics, which would be what they are looking for in a resident, what you can offer the program, research interests, etc.

Many of the faculty who may interview have no say in who gets an interview. Do your homework and show interest in the program, the hospital, the specialty.

 

[tetris]

This seems like a waste of a question to me....if you HAVE the interview, move on to the important topics, which would be what they are looking for in a resident, what you can offer the program, research interests, etc.

Many of the faculty who may interview have no say in who gets an interview. Do your homework and show interest in the program, the hospital, the specialty.

Yeah, I guess there's no real benefit to knowing this info. And even if there is, it's not part of the image I should project - responsible, mature, confident, amicable. Rather, it shows that I'm worried about matching.

 

[dragonfly99]

Definitely don't ask question #1.
Question #2 about the board scores...I don't think it helps you to know, and it might make you sound insecure if you ask...or arrogant if you ask and you have great board scores. Just let the scores speak for themselves. If the interviewer wants to talk about your board scores, then he'll bring it up.

Agree with above recommendations about good topics to ask about. Ask about their hospital, special things about that residency, etc. And SELL yourself as a candidate, same as you would in any job interview.

 

[tetris]

Just let the scores speak for themselves. If the interviewer wants to talk about your board scores, then he'll bring it up.

I think that for low scores, it's best to have some sort of explanation ready. If the interviewer doesn't mention it, the candidate should. It shows that you're aware of the issue, have thought it through, and have worked towards resolving it (studying harder...).

I've been advised by a faculty member that doing so is better than avoiding the issue and having them discuss it in your absence.

 

[Tired]

Maybe I'm missing something or am dumb, but why not just say, "If you don't mind my asking, how do you select candidates?"

 

[tetris]

Maybe I'm missing something or am dumb, but why not just say, "If you don't mind my asking, how do you select candidates?"

I makes you sound insecure, as explained above.

 

[Abram Hoffer]

I makes you sound insecure, as explained above.

you mean, it confirms that you are insecure!

 

[peerie]

I think it sounds ok to just ask: how do you select your residents?

I mean, this is all a process and they have all been through this before (the PDs, etc) but we alas, have not. So, I think actually it shows confidence if you are able to ask a simple question and not get all bent out of shape over it.

One PD went through how they did it and I thought it was very helpful to hear. At the end of the day, we are all people despite all our fears and insecurities. Honesty can go a long way.

 

[SWP]

I went through the interview process a couple of years ago and I think this is a fair question to ask. It may give you some insight into how the program values certain assets you might bring to the program. Some people will tell you that they look at nothing but the personal statement, since this might be the best indicator of how passionate you are about the specialty. I liked programs who look beyond scores and transcripts. I also liked programs where current residents had input into who gets selected. Again, I wouldn't hesitate to ask this question.