Originally posted by pimmar
Some programs will interview you without the letter, I had 2 interviews In California without it.
First, you are absolutely correct. Although many programs used to REQUIRE the letter before they would even interview you, one of the managers there (he left last year for another job at the Calif state board) was able to convince several [many?] of the program directors why they did not have to require the letter first. This was especially important for 4th-year med students -- they could not get letter before graduation, but interview were before then. (The PDs have a valid point, though. Why should they spend time interviewing someone when they can't be sure the person is even eligible for training in Calif?)
Originally posted by pimmar
Just a quick question...if I match outside of California and decide after residency to work/move to California...will I have to do all of the same paperwork to get licensing? Or can I go ahead and apply for the license after I get the status letter even if I am training outside the state?
No....it's the same paperwork and same process. When you apply for the letter, you fill out bunches of forms. Once your education, clerkships, etc have been verified, they issue the letter. Then, your file is left open while you are in training. (You do have to show some type of due diligence that you are in training or trying to get into a program. They will be in touch with you once a year to make sure you are "still alive.") Then, when you are finished with training, whether in Calif or another state, just send in the paperwork documenting your final training (and, of course, send them a check), and they will issue a license.
When you are in the midst of your paperwork, it sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare of forms. But when you sit back and think about it, it's really quite a logical system.
(One of the other posters [Pat Park] is a real good person to answer a lot of questions, even if she is real busy. The new manager they have is a real ding-bat; she's been there 2 years and still does not get it. You ask her a question and she giggles "I dunno, let me ask someone who knows." That's your typical stupid goverment worker.)
Good luck, with the letter and with your training.