Calling programs if no interview

[Code Brown]

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Ok, so you've sent out ERAS, and nothing so far. Here is the basic timeline along with what worked for me. On paper, I was by no means an allstar, getting interviews to less than half the places I applied to when all was said and done.

Programs usually go through apps every couple of weeks (remember, the PD often has clinical responsibilities so they're not sitting around waiting for them to trickle in one by one). They then invite the allstars, toss the lousy ones, and put the maybes in a big pile. After 3-4 rounds (mid october) most of the allstars are invited and they rifle through the maybe pile. At this point, they have most of their spots filled. This is also the time that people with way too many interviews start cancelling interviews. Now is your shot.

If you haven't heard from a program by the middle of october, it's going to be time to send out an email to both the Program Coordinator and the Program Director asking for an interview. I remember sending this out on Oct 25th or so, and within 5 days had 6 more interviews - all 6 referenced my request for an interview.

The secondary dance goes on for another month, at which point, you need to send out another email to the same people asking for an interview (i.e., send it off during Thanksgiving). This shows continued interest and from my standpoint, it yielded another 3 interviews.

If you still need interviews, send an email out after Christmas. I got one more here, but did not end up going to it due to scheduling conflicts.

Be prepared to travel on short notice as cancellations can occur only a day or two before and some PD's will give you your shot here.

Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[DAN325]

Thanks for being so helpful. I was curious about the timeline I should attempt this since I only have few interviews and was starting to worry.

 

[El Dooderino]

Thanks for the advice. I have three questions: 1) I am missing one LOR which still isn't in. As PD's are looking at apps would his be a reason I wouldn't get an interview? 2) have you ever heard of programs not inviting an applicant to an interview because on paper the student has such good stats the program thinks the student won't end up there. 3) you mentioned this before, but it sounds like programs at least have some kind of system where invites roll out gradually. Just wondering if you see a flood of invites on one day and you don't get one does it mean they passed over you or just hadn't looked at your app yet.

 

[Idiopathic]

Thanks for the advice. I have three questions: 1) I am missing one LOR which still isn't in. As PD's are looking at apps would his be a reason I wouldn't get an interview? 2) have you ever heard of programs not inviting an applicant to an interview because on paper the student has such good stats the program thinks the student won't end up there. 3) you mentioned this before, but it sounds like programs at least have some kind of system where invites roll out gradually. Just wondering if you see a flood of invites on one day and you don't get one does it mean they passed over you or just hadn't looked at your app yet.

Missing an LOR shouldnt be that big of a deal, although it would be nice to have them all in. I didnt have my 3rd one until mid-November.

It seems like some programs dont go hunting in certain regions because they feel like an applicant will not choose to match there. I think that a program can see where else you have applied, but Im not sure. I lived in the SouthEast and applied to SE programs almost exclusively. I did not get interviews from some middle/low tier programs out west and received a very late offer from one. Its anecdotal, I know but with the cost of interviewing and the limited spots available, this only makes sense.

 

[mikeamark]

Great advice--thank you!

 

[Gardner]

I agree with the approach of calling/emailing programs. I rounded up a few interviews that way, including the place that I matched to.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

What was the approach when emailing/contacting these programs?
One would have to do it correctly to not sound annoying/desperate (my guess)
Where did you match?

 

[vett9d1]

To the OP- thanks for your input; this is great information. When contacting the program how direct can one be? Should we just ask about the "status" of our application and tell them how very interested we are in their program? Or did you say how much you wanted an interview at their institution and ask about availability/ possibly scheduling an interview? Thanks again!

 

[evenkeel]

On a similar note, what would be the best way to go about contacting a program if we have other interviews scheduled in the same city and would like to coordinate interview dates, but have not yet been offered an interview by the program in question (and we know they have already started offering)? Should one wait to be offered an interview? Or, is it appropriate to call, express your interest in the program, and then mention you have interviews in the area on such-and-such date and were wondering if the program still has availabilities for interview dates around this time as you would like to coordinate if the program plans on extending you an interview offer. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Ronin2258]

I am going off a few places that take applications off of ERAS. I will have to bear this in mind within the next week or so.