MD co ‘20 Residency Panic Thread

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Wait, where do you stand and in what field? I thought you were a competitive applicant iirc (at least that's what I recall back when we interviewed at TJ 3 years ago lol)

Haha I don’t think we’ve met lol. As I’ve never been to TJ.
I’m applying IM. I’m competitive with scores but that’s about it. I like to think my personality is decent too lol.
 
I thought the same and then I finally got one today. My impression based on spreadsheet and what I have seen a PD say on one of the psych forums is that MSPE adds more volume of info to parse through per each candidate. People sending LOIs have been getting back e-mails that schools have barely started to review, they have hundreds of apps, etc. So hopefully it isn't hurting us, just making the process longer for all of us.
Thanks! that’s a bit comforting
 
I thought the same and then I finally got one today. My impression based on spreadsheet and what I have seen a PD say on one of the psych forums is that MSPE adds more volume of info to parse through per each candidate. People sending LOIs have been getting back e-mails that schools have barely started to review, they have hundreds of apps, etc. So hopefully it isn't hurting us, just making the process longer for all of us.
So I remember a couple kids from last year who had an "it'll happen" positive attitude and didn't get interviews at all. I'm thankful for the ones I have, but dammit I want more.
 
So I remember a couple kids from last year who had an "it'll happen" positive attitude and didn't get interviews at all. I'm thankful for the ones I have, but dammit I want more.

Same boat. I'm only at 3. I certainly do not have a positive attitude about the whole thing but more positive than I was yesterday after receiving another one today. I guess I'm brightly pessimistic.
 
When should we start sending out LOIs? The programs Im interested in already sent out a lot of interviews already from the spreadsheet 10+.
I honestly don't think there is a correct response especially looking at feedback on the forums/spreadsheets. I know the advisor at my school suggested we do a few so I personally sent 5. I received responses from 2 PDs and 2 coordinators and got 3 interviews within 36 hours.
 
I honestly don't think there is a correct response especially looking at feedback on the forums/spreadsheets. I know the advisor at my school suggested we do a few so I personally sent 5. I received responses from 2 PDs and 2 coordinators and got 3 interviews within 36 hours.
Just the general "Dear PD, I can't imagine how stressful it is to deal with reading over 1000 apps and I don't mean to be a pain. BUT - reason #1 and reason #2 - pls notice me senpai" ?
 
I honestly don't think there is a correct response especially looking at feedback on the forums/spreadsheets. I know the advisor at my school suggested we do a few so I personally sent 5. I received responses from 2 PDs and 2 coordinators and got 3 interviews within 36 hours.
May I ask when you did this and if you don't mind the field you are applying? No worries if you don't wanna share, it just seems to vary a lot about when to contact from field to field. Thanks friend 🙂
 
Just the general "Dear PD, I can't imagine how stressful it is to deal with reading over 1000 apps and I don't mean to be a pain. BUT - reason #1 and reason #2 - pls notice me senpai" ?

Pretty much. Most were 4-5 sentences. Touched on 1-3 things about the specific program I liked. The advice we received was if they are short and sweet they are more likely to get read and even if they don't get read then the PD or whoever gets the email sees our name again.

May I ask when you did this and if you don't mind the field you are applying? No worries if you don't wanna share, it just seems to vary a lot about when to contact from field to field. Thanks friend 🙂

I'm applying IM. Sent them last week to programs that are higher on my list and had already sent out some invites. I know a few classmates who are applying different fields who have sent them as well with mixed success.
 
Pretty much. Most were 4-5 sentences. Touched on 1-3 things about the specific program I liked. The advice we received was if they are short and sweet they are more likely to get read and even if they don't get read then the PD or whoever gets the email sees our name again.



I'm applying IM. Sent them last week to programs that are higher on my list and had already sent out some invites. I know a few classmates who are applying different fields who have sent them as well with mixed success.

I apologize if this was asked before, but do LOI's get addressed to the PC and cc the PD?
 
I have 7-8 university + university/community IIs so far. I personally will be kissing major behinds this weekend to get some of my top 10-15 programs to notice me and review my file. Yes, every kids nowadays are applying to 30-40 programs min, even people with above average stats for the specialty. PDs don't know what to do at this point.

The program that I did my away last month received 500 applications for 3 spots on the first day. LOL
 
Hoping for one more interview at a decent program so I can cancel this meh interview in the middle of my semi-auditionish rotation.
 
Looking for advice. I got an interview to my top program the middle of the night (for my time zone) , and by the time I saw it in the AM the interview dates were full except for in the next two weeks . The program is across the country and I have already scheduled interviews in that time frame. Moreover, I would have to remediate my rotation by taking extra time off. What should i do? 🙁

edit: Im already on the waitlist for a bunch of dates but this program is pretty desirable
 
Looking for advice. I got an interview to my top program the middle of the night (for my time zone) , and by the time I saw it in the AM the interview dates were full except for in the next two weeks . The program is across the country and I have already scheduled interviews in that time frame. Moreover, I would have to remediate my rotation by taking extra time off. What should i do? 🙁

edit: Im already on the waitlist for a bunch of dates but this program is pretty desirable

I wouldn’t count on much waitlist movement if it’s a “top program” for a lot of people. How many option blocks do you all have. That sucks that it happened like that, but if I were you I would cancel some of the “less desirable” interviews during that time and go to the one you really want to go to so you don’t have to remediate.
 
Looking for advice. I got an interview to my top program the middle of the night (for my time zone) , and by the time I saw it in the AM the interview dates were full except for in the next two weeks . The program is across the country and I have already scheduled interviews in that time frame. Moreover, I would have to remediate my rotation by taking extra time off. What should i do? 🙁

edit: Im already on the waitlist for a bunch of dates but this program is pretty desirable

Can you move any of your current interviews during that time frame, since presumably they’re less-desirable programs? Would swapping the interview for a currently scheduled one still require you to remediate?

In my experience, WL movement is greatest at the end of the season, when people are tired of interviews. It just depends if it’s a top program in general (less likely to have drops) or just a program that appeals to you for personal reasons.
 
Can you move any of your current interviews during that time frame, since presumably they’re less-desirable programs? Would swapping the interview for a currently scheduled one still require you to remediate?

In my experience, WL movement is greatest at the end of the season, when people are tired of interviews. It just depends if it’s a top program in general (less likely to have drops) or just a program that appeals to you for personal reasons.

No , not really, the problem is the travel time
The program said in the email " we can usually interview everyone, even if initially on the waitlist" . It appeals to me for personal reasons (I am from there) and its a very strong program (top 30 ish). The location makes it very desirable
 
No , not really, the problem is the travel time
The program said in the email " we can usually interview everyone, even if initially on the waitlist" . It appeals to me for personal reasons (I am from there) and its a very strong program (top 30 ish). The location makes it very desirable
I got the same invite. I feel like that statement doesn’t apply if early dates don’t fill though
 
No , not really, the problem is the travel time
The program said in the email " we can usually interview everyone, even if initially on the waitlist" . It appeals to me for personal reasons (I am from there) and its a very strong program (top 30 ish). The location makes it very desirable

I mean, it’s up to you. I personally would prioritize having my top program scheduled rather than risk losing out on the interview if there’s no waitlist movement (“usually” isn’t a guarantee), but it just depends on how you weigh the risks and benefits. Are you ok risking the possibility of not being able to interview at that program? Just food for thought. You can also try requesting a swap on your specialty‘s spreadsheet, but my guess is that won’t be successful.

It also might be worth setting up phone alerts so that you don’t sleep through any late interview offers again - but, again, up to you if that’s worth the hassle.

Edit: it looks like you’re applying to IM and this is a Bay Area program- so I’d definitely not bank on interviews necessarily becoming available in the future.
 
I honestly don't think there is a correct response especially looking at feedback on the forums/spreadsheets. I know the advisor at my school suggested we do a few so I personally sent 5. I received responses from 2 PDs and 2 coordinators and got 3 interviews within 36 hours.

This comment, and this comment alone might destroy the email inboxes of every program director in the country. What have you done.


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I mean, it’s up to you. I personally would prioritize having my top program scheduled rather than risk losing out on the interview if there’s no waitlist movement (“usually” isn’t a guarantee), but it just depends on how you weigh the risks and benefits. Are you ok risking the possibility of not being able to interview at that program? Just food for thought. You can also try requesting a swap on your specialty‘s spreadsheet, but my guess is that won’t be successful.

It also might be worth setting up phone alerts so that you don’t sleep through any late interview offers again - but, again, up to you if that’s worth the hassle.

Edit: it looks like you’re applying to IM and this is a Bay Area program- so I’d definitely not bank on interviews necessarily becoming available in the future.
The fact that theres even a potential to need to set an alarm for an email in the middle of the night is insane. This process is so ridiculous.
 
The fact that theres even a potential to need to set an alarm for an email in the middle of the night is insane. This process is so ridiculous.

I wonder if this is a PST vs EST thing? I know I was annoyed by how early some east-coast programs would send emails; I imagine the opposite would be true for people who live in EST.

And then there are just the PCs working at midnight for various reasons...
 
Looking for advice. I got an interview to my top program the middle of the night (for my time zone) , and by the time I saw it in the AM the interview dates were full except for in the next two weeks . The program is across the country and I have already scheduled interviews in that time frame. Moreover, I would have to remediate my rotation by taking extra time off. What should i do? 🙁

edit: Im already on the waitlist for a bunch of dates but this program is pretty desirable
Lololol it happened to me too!! I woke up at 2:30am (to go to the bathroom) I randomly check my phone and see the invite. I had one date that worked for me. As I was clicking on it, it became unavailable.
I wanted to cry
I actually switched an interview so I could go to it.
 
I wonder if this is a PST vs EST thing? I know I was annoyed by how early some east-coast programs would send emails; I imagine the opposite would be true for people who live in EST.

And then there are just the PCs working at midnight for various reasons...
It shouldn’t be true the opposite way for the East coast. Really we shouldn’t have to worry past Regular business hours. So an interview coming from the pst coast I shouldn’t have to worry about past 8pm.
Now it does suck the other way because west coast could get invites at 5am, but no one should be catching them at 2:30 am like the above poster.
 
It shouldn’t be true the opposite way for the East coast. Really we shouldn’t have to worry past Regular business hours. So an interview coming from the pst coast I shouldn’t have to worry about past 8pm.
Now it does suck the other way because west coast could get invites at 5am, but no one should be catching them at 2:30 am like the above poster.
How does that make sense? The interview came in at 11pm. A little past business hours.
 
That's it boys, I'm at 13 (-1 to be cancelled this weekend). Debating cancelling another one, and still waiting for 1-2 top-in-my-mind programs. I definitely over-applied but I'm fairly happy with the outcome.

I have too many and im struggling to figure out which ones to cancel..

I applied with one program in my mind as my top choice, but absolutely fell in love with a program I interviewed at today so that makes cancelling stuff even harder lol
 
I have too many and im struggling to figure out which ones to cancel..

I applied with one program in my mind as my top choice, but absolutely fell in love with a program I interviewed at today so that makes cancelling stuff even harder lol
I feel you. It's a good problem to have, but it's still stressful. It's also important to have a good mix of interviews at reaches and safeties.
 
I feel you. It's a good problem to have, but it's still stressful. It's also important to have a good mix of interviews at reaches and safeties.

Idk if you can even really say FM has a lot of “reaches”, but the more “competitive” programs I applied to (Penn and Jeff) passed me by.

Very good problem to have, but yeah, doesn’t make the decision any easier.
 
How does that make sense? The interview came in at 11pm. A little past business hours.
Totally my point. I’m saying “we shouldn’t” as in it’s a dumb system that just gives people undue stress. Didn’t make that clear.
 
Anyone else panicking that there's not enough panic in the dedicated panic thread? I think I'm getting anxiety from my anxiety. Can't wait till this is over.

In other news, how is everyone doing today? Hope your interviews are going well! 🙂
 
Anyone else panicking that there's not enough panic in the dedicated panic thread? I think I'm getting anxiety from my anxiety. Can't wait till this is over.

In other news, how is everyone doing today? Hope your interviews are going well! 🙂

I agree, we have to start ramping this up. Someone start a SOAP thread.


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Anyone else panicking that there's not enough panic in the dedicated panic thread? I think I'm getting anxiety from my anxiety. Can't wait till this is over.

In other news, how is everyone doing today? Hope your interviews are going well! 🙂
I promise I’m always on the verge of losing it.
I’m on a super busy Sub I and that helps a lot. Work so hard you forget your future is hanging in the balance.
 
Was feeling a bit blue yesterday not having heard back from most places, then today got 3 interview invites within an hour including one in my home state I'm quite interested in. Good luck to everyone and I hope everyone has some good news coming soon if they haven't already 🙂
 
I sent an LOI to one of my top choices where I did undergrad and have strong ties to, and I got an interview invite from them later in the day. Are there such a thing as courtesy invites?
 
I sent an LOI to one of my top choices where I did undergrad and have strong ties to, and I got an interview invite from them later in the day. Are there such a thing as courtesy invites?
I don't think they'd waste an invite if they weren't already interested. It's not exactly difficult to just ghost someone. I bet they appreciated the letter!
 
How is everyone doing this week? It was much slower for me this week than last week. I was expecting the opposite - that this week will have more invites since this is the first full week after the MSPE release last Tuesday. But it was not happening. I am wondering if that’s it in terms of invites that I may be getting.
 
How is everyone doing this week? It was much slower for me this week than last week. I was expecting the opposite - that this week will have more invites since this is the first full week after the MSPE release last Tuesday. But it was not happening. I am wondering if that’s it in terms of invites that I may be getting.

Slow. I think i got two and one was from my home program (finally)
 
How is everyone doing this week? It was much slower for me this week than last week. I was expecting the opposite - that this week will have more invites since this is the first full week after the MSPE release last Tuesday. But it was not happening. I am wondering if that’s it in terms of invites that I may be getting.
1 invite and 1 WL this week. very very very slow.
 
1 invite and 1 WL this week. very very very slow.
Where you at overall?

From a few of my friends across 5 diff fields this year seems to be much slower overall compared to years past.

Perhaps people shotgun applied even more so this year? Dunno
 
I haven’t had any movement since the MSPE came out. I’m sitting at 4 and I don’t think I’m going to move any further.
 
Guys, it depends on the fields and programs. IM does appear to be slow-I feel next week will be more important than this one. FM does probably more comprehensive reviews than all other fields, so they'll keep reviewing and sending. I'd give them another 2 weeks before worrying. Anesthesia has ASA coming up, so I'd give them 2 weeks more before worrying. EM-next week is the biggest one, then probably the 2 weeks after that some will go out as well. OBGYN-next week should have a few, as well as the week after. Keep in mind many programs send a few in November too.
 
2 university IIs among my top 10 list this week. Hoping to get another 2-4 university IIs by the end of this month.
 
How is everyone doing this week? It was much slower for me this week than last week. I was expecting the opposite - that this week will have more invites since this is the first full week after the MSPE release last Tuesday. But it was not happening. I am wondering if that’s it in terms of invites that I may be getting.
5 II from university programs this week, most in my desired region (IM).
 
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