MD co ‘20 Residency Panic Thread

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sharkbyte said:
I think it'll help your case more if you have strong ties to a school (undergrad, hometown, family in area, SO from area or currently in area, worked with institution or someone from institution in the past) and/or you have tangible aspects of the program that you resonate with and you have certain activities or experiences that can back that up. The problem becomes when people just kind of shotgun send LOIs to like 10+ programs including places where they have no ties just out of a hope to get an invite at a place that sounds nice (I don't even blame these people honestly, it's kind of how the system is set up)
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I legitimately have ties to some low tier programs on my list bc of my parents' house and me growing up in the area. But, on MyEras, I have zero ties to this area since undergrad. So, when I'm writing these LOI telling them of my ties to the area with my parents still living there and me wanting to go home and be closer to them, most of these programs think that I'm bsing. It's a shame actually. Apparently, everyone is writing bs about how they have friends and families close to those programs.
 
Yeah, literally everyone will pull out some “ties“ to the area. Had a person the year above me who would always dig up some distant cousin or someone they hardly knew and act like theyre going home To see their best buds. Kinda sucks when it actually is true cause it just gets lost in the mix with other people’s BS.

Have my first pre-interview dinner tomorrow following an IV. Why did I schedule these back to back? OH, thats right, cause we have to do a stupid ass EM subi in 4th year with ridiculous shifts where I’m unlearning stuff. Actually had my attending tell me to write less detailed notes even though I saw just as many pts. as the other student who was writing super short notes with no A+P while chatting up nurses. /hatehatehate
 
Seanman111 said:
Yeah, literally everyone will pull out some “ties“ to the area. Had a person the year above me who would always dig up some distant cousin or someone they hardly knew and act like theyre going home To see their best buds. Kinda sucks when it actually is true cause it just gets lost in the mix with other people’s BS.

Have my first pre-interview dinner tomorrow following an IV. Why did I schedule these back to back? OH, thats right, cause we have to do a stupid ass EM subi in 4th year with ridiculous shifts where I’m unlearning stuff. Actually had my attending tell me to write less detailed notes even though I saw just as many pts. as the other student who was writing super short notes with no A+P while chatting up nurses. /hatehatehate
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What site am i hoping to avoid?

Ive never heard write less detailed notes before though haha
 
When you guys send LOI's do you guys/girls do a follow up email to check on in two weeks if they got the LOI or just hope they got the email and not bother them at all?
 
Sandovalsel said:
When you guys send LOI's do you guys/girls do a follow up email to check on in two weeks if they got the LOI or just hope they got the email and not bother them at all?
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God no don’t do that. If they don’t respond to the LOI leave them alone.
 
Epilepsy365 said:
I legitimately have ties to some low tier programs on my list bc of my parents' house and me growing up in the area. But, on MyEras, I have zero ties to this area since undergrad. So, when I'm writing these LOI telling them of my ties to the area with my parents still living there and me wanting to go home and be closer to them, most of these programs think that I'm bsing. It's a shame actually. Apparently, everyone is writing bs about how they have friends and families close to those programs.
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Seanman111 said:
Yeah, literally everyone will pull out some “ties“ to the area. Had a person the year above me who would always dig up some distant cousin or someone they hardly knew and act like theyre going home To see their best buds. Kinda sucks when it actually is true cause it just gets lost in the mix with other people’s BS.

Have my first pre-interview dinner tomorrow following an IV. Why did I schedule these back to back? OH, thats right, cause we have to do a stupid ass EM subi in 4th year with ridiculous shifts where I’m unlearning stuff. Actually had my attending tell me to write less detailed notes even though I saw just as many pts. as the other student who was writing super short notes with no A+P while chatting up nurses. /hatehatehate
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True. All good points. The LOIs have been taken to a huge extreme now.
 
Thankfully, it seems most programs are fairly good at realizing the bs. I haven't been surprised at all to hear from the programs that I have without ever needing to send out a LOI, with one program being a huge exception. I could never see myself sending a LOI to a program that I never rotated at, have no family ties, and has never placed our graduates.
 
Oedipa Maas said:
I just think it's silly that "ties" are one of the only things seen as valid. I spent my loan money applying to you, I think you are a great program in a cool area, why wouldn't I go just because I don't have 3.5 family members in a 50 mile radius?
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Apparently everyone nowadays is applying broadly and programs literally don’t know wtf to do. So they’re looking for some ties or regional familiarity to gauge your interest in ranking them bc everyone and their mother know that unless you’re a top ten program, it’s all about location at the end of the day.
 
Epilepsy365 said:
Apparently everyone nowadays is applying broadly and programs literally don’t know wtf to do. So they’re looking for some ties or regional familiarity to gauge your interest in ranking them bc everyone and their mother know that unless you’re a top ten program, it’s all about location at the end of the day.
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Honestly this. I don't know how the hell programs are going to pick their residents now and moving forward. Puts a lot more importance on acing aways.
 
Oh hey, finally a pre-interview dinner that didn't suck! Some very good reasons why though, and I suspect most dinners won't be like this. 2/4 right now on them. Will try to make most of my dinners at programs I haven't done away's at and that are not near my state. Those I feel you gotta go to.
 
Yeah idk how useful LOIs are. I've sent a bunch to programs in areas where I have family. A lot have either ghosted me or sent generic emails back. 1 or 2 basically rejected me. I ended up getting an interview from 1 a week after I sent my LOI after not hearing anything back for a week. Idk if it was the LOI or if I would have gotten an interview regardless
 
Have people been contacting the program to ask for emails of people who interviewed you to send a thank you email?
 
MerYangBey said:
Have people been contacting the program to ask for emails of people who interviewed you to send a thank you email?
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No I just sent a General thanks and name dropped folks to the PC

Sidenote guys I received my first interview invite since the MSPE went out. the invitation awoke me from a nap and surprised the crap out of me. Yayyyyy
 
Realized ~10/40 programs I applied to mostly as safeties are IMG only. I've heard (including from my home program) that these programs just aren't "appealing" to US grads but I don't think that can be the whole answer. Plenty of ppl who failed a step/had to SOAP/go unmatched would probably want to go to these programs so I'm thinking it's a program preference as well. Anyway, long short I feel like I wasted like $200 and 10 spots applying to these programs. I'm sitting at 8 interviews and haven't gotten an invite in 2 weeks. I've sent LOIs with 0 luck 🙁
 
Welp38 said:
Realized ~10/40 programs I applied to mostly as safeties are IMG only. I've heard (including from my home program) that these programs just aren't "appealing" to US grads but I don't think that can be the whole answer. Plenty of ppl who failed a step/had to SOAP/go unmatched would probably want to go to these programs so I'm thinking it's a program preference as well. Anyway, long short I feel like I wasted like $200 and 10 spots applying to these programs. I'm sitting at 8 interviews and haven't gotten an invite in 2 weeks. I've sent LOIs with 0 luck 🙁
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I noticed that with some programs ive applied to but this is in FM so idk how malignant they could potentially be (which is what I worried about). I applied to a few programs who had nowhere on their websites they didnt accept MD’s without significant OMM training, or, not at all. They were former AOA programs, but, now that theyre all ACGME i was dumb enough to apply anyway.

I think the IV train is gonna slowly open up again as people drop their interviews.
 
Last time that I will use JetBlue to fly to any interview. Delayed in Boston for 10 hours and won’t make it to one of my top 5 choices pre-interview dinners.

Oh yeah. Don’t connect through Ohare Chicago. Weather is starting to get horrible now.
 
Epilepsy365 said:
Last time that I will use JetBlue to fly to any interview. Delayed in Boston for 10 hours and won’t make it to one of my top 5 choices pre-interview dinners.

Oh yeah. Don’t connect through Ohare Chicago. Weather is starting to get horrible now.
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Oh man sorry. That sucks.
 
Epilepsy365 said:
Last time that I will use JetBlue to fly to any interview. Delayed in Boston for 10 hours and won’t make it to one of my top 5 choices pre-interview dinners.

Oh yeah. Don’t connect through Ohare Chicago. Weather is starting to get horrible now.
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Ive had bad experiences one way or another every time I’ve gone through O’Hare.
 
Only 6 interviews in a competitive surgical specialties and 19 rejections.... Should I start applying for a backup specialty?
 
deutschzweiteil said:
Only 6 interviews in a competitive surgical specialties and 19 rejections.... Should I start applying for a backup specialty?
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Look at the charting outcomes for your specialty. I’d say you’re likely to match over not match.

You’re kind of coming to application deadlines so if you feel you need to you need to look, make sure the deadline hasn’t already passed, and apply now.
 
Just a rant in the middle of the panic. I flew in for an interview yesterday from out of state. I land in said state and before I even get off the plane I get an email saying that my interview is canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'! Mind you, the interview is supposed to be <24 hrs later. Called the PC several times after the flight and no answer. I get an email a couple minutes later just saying that they have no further information at this time. No response to my email to try and accommodate me for an interview early next week and I tried calling back today and nothing. Cannot believe how unprofessional this is.
 
Clopidogrhelin said:
Just a rant in the middle of the panic. I flew in for an interview yesterday from out of state. I land in said state and before I even get off the plane I get an email saying that my interview is canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'! Mind you, the interview is supposed to be <24 hrs later. Called the PC several times after the flight and no answer. I get an email a couple minutes later just saying that they have no further information at this time. No response to my email to try and accommodate me for an interview early next week and I tried calling back today and nothing. Cannot believe how unprofessional this is.
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Yikes. That's no bueno. I would be pretty upset.
 
Clopidogrhelin said:
Cannot believe how unprofessional this is.
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Any name and shame? Either way, that's completely unacceptable. How did they not at the very least explain what caused the cancellation?? Man, I'd be pissed off. Too late to get any money back from the travels and wasted time. Sorry you had to go through that.
 
Seanman111 said:
Any name and shame? Either way, that's completely unacceptable. How did they not at the very least explain what caused the cancellation?? Man, I'd be pissed off. Too late to get any money back from the travels and wasted time. Sorry you had to go through that.
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Definitely plan on doing so after the match. Just want to avoid any unlikely but possible repercussions if they find out lol.
 
I did an away rotation several months ago, and recently interviewed at the institution I did the away at.

I loved the away rotation...however, at the interview it was clear that many of the interviewers hadn’t read my application whatsoever, and some of them were rather aggressive/confrontational/unpleasant in their lines of questioning.

How should I interpret this?
 
ahorner1990 said:
I did an away rotation several months ago, and recently interviewed at the institution I did the away at.

I loved the away rotation...however, at the interview it was clear that many of the interviewers hadn’t read my application whatsoever, and some of them were rather aggressive/confrontational/unpleasant in their lines of questioning.

How should I interpret this?
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Your away rotation exposed you to day to day life in the department. Your interview is a separate experience that probably is not representative of what it would be like to work there. I wouldn't put a lot of weight on it.
 
ahorner1990 said:
I did an away rotation several months ago, and recently interviewed at the institution I did the away at.

I loved the away rotation...however, at the interview it was clear that many of the interviewers hadn’t read my application whatsoever, and some of them were rather aggressive/confrontational/unpleasant in their lines of questioning.

How should I interpret this?
Click to expand...

You bombed your away rotation and the residents hated you. Words spread to the higher up that you’re unlikable.

I and another student did aways at the same site. It was obvious that the PD interrogated this person hard while I had the opposite experience during my interview with the PD. The only difference was that this person was very unlikable and some of the residents reported back the general feedback to the PD.
 
Clopidogrhelin said:
Just a rant in the middle of the panic. I flew in for an interview yesterday from out of state. I land in said state and before I even get off the plane I get an email saying that my interview is canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'! Mind you, the interview is supposed to be <24 hrs later. Called the PC several times after the flight and no answer. I get an email a couple minutes later just saying that they have no further information at this time. No response to my email to try and accommodate me for an interview early next week and I tried calling back today and nothing. Cannot believe how unprofessional this is.
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Wow, makes my story seem like nothing in comparison. Was told I'd get a phone interview, sat by my phone for the time range during which they said they'd call, then never received a phone call. No replies to my emails either.
 
Clopidogrhelin said:
Just a rant in the middle of the panic. I flew in for an interview yesterday from out of state. I land in said state and before I even get off the plane I get an email saying that my interview is canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'! Mind you, the interview is supposed to be <24 hrs later. Called the PC several times after the flight and no answer. I get an email a couple minutes later just saying that they have no further information at this time. No response to my email to try and accommodate me for an interview early next week and I tried calling back today and nothing. Cannot believe how unprofessional this is.
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Was it Peds?
 
Epilepsy365 said:
You bombed your away rotation and the residents hated you. Words spread to the higher up that you’re unlikable.

I and another student did aways at the same site. It was obvious that the PD interrogated this person hard while I had the opposite experience during my interview with the PD. The only difference was that this person was very unlikable and some of the residents reported back the general feedback to the PD.
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Are you joking? Or is this a real answer? Because if it’s real I don’t like it one bit.
 
MerYangBey said:
Are you joking? Or is this a real answer? Because if it’s real I don’t like it one bit.
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It’s a real answer based on that person interview exp, mine, and resident feedbacks revealed to me.

If you’re doing an away at a site and those people love you, the interview should be very chill and informal. Think about it. They know you for four weeks, love you, and want you as a resident. What’s the point of antagonizing you when they have a solid grip of who you are and absolutely love you?

If they grill you despite you being there for four weeks, it means they hate you. PD and assistant PD do read your profile before interviewing you, so the excuse of them not knowing your application doesn’t fly.
 
Epilepsy365 said:
It’s a real answer based on that person interview exp, mine, and resident feedbacks revealed to me.

If you’re doing an away at a site and those people love you, the interview should be very chill and informal. Think about it. They know you for four weeks, love you, and want you as a resident. What’s the point of antagonizing you when they have a solid grip of who you are and absolutely love you?

If they grill you despite you being there for four weeks, it means they hate you. PD and assistant PD do read your profile before interviewing you, so the excuse of them not knowing your application doesn’t fly.
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If they have made up their mind that they hate you, why go to the trouble of grilling you? That person will be out of their lives forever after that day, so really I just imagine them acting disinterested if anything.
 
Epilepsy365 said:
It’s a real answer based on that person interview exp, mine, and resident feedbacks revealed to me.

If you’re doing an away at a site and those people love you, the interview should be very chill and informal. Think about it. They know you for four weeks, love you, and want you as a resident. What’s the point of antagonizing you when they have a solid grip of who you are and absolutely love you?

If they grill you despite you being there for four weeks, it means they hate you. PD and assistant PD do read your profile before interviewing you, so the excuse of them not knowing your application doesn’t fly.
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I just feel like it’s a bit harsh considering that your answer is one theory or possibility. Hate is a strong word.
I was hoping this thread would be more supportive of our fellow applicants. Considering this system just keeps dumping crap on us.
But again I do agree that your thought process could be accurate it’s just there is no way to know for sure and there is always a good reason to not make someone feel bad.
 
ahorner1990 said:
I did an away rotation several months ago, and recently interviewed at the institution I did the away at.

I loved the away rotation...however, at the interview it was clear that many of the interviewers hadn’t read my application whatsoever, and some of them were rather aggressive/confrontational/unpleasant in their lines of questioning.

How should I interpret this?
Click to expand...

Could it have been like a stress interview? I had someone alternate between super pleasant and confrontational for the interview and I felt like they were just trying to see how I would respond. Everyone did mention something about my app though. I have heard of interviewers being "blinded" to candidates applications so they can have a judging system separate from their scores/ECs/etc, but I would imagine applicants would be told beforehand.
 
vernhart said:
If they have made up their mind that they hate you, why go to the trouble of grilling you? That person will be out of their lives forever after that day, so really I just imagine them acting disinterested if anything.
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The word “grilling” means different things to diff people. In my opinion, if you did an away rotation for four weeks and then interviewed there, I define grilling as being too traditional in which they gone through the cutter cookie questions instead of being an informal chat.

In my opinion, grilling is defined as the following questions for example:
1) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
2) Why are you a fit for our program?

These questions are perfectly fine if you have never done an away rotation. It’s a huge red flag if you are being asked these questions especially when you have worked with the team for four weeks and have been evaluated by multiple attendings and residents. It means you bomb on your away rotation.

No ifs or buts about it. Therefore, the student misinterprets as the interviewers not reading their applications when their fate has already been decided by his or her four week performance. I will also say that if you are killing your aways, you will get excellent feedbacks whether you ask for it or not. When you’re being kept in the dark, it means you are bombing it.
 
deutschzweiteil said:
Only 6 interviews in a competitive surgical specialties and 19 rejections.... Should I start applying for a backup specialty?
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Do you have extra money to throw at the problem? Kinda late at this point, and they'd probably know they were a backup specialty given your application date and, presumably, rotations and specialty-tailored application. If your backup is GS, that's probably where you'd end up if you fail to match a surgical subspecialty...

Clopidogrhelin said:
Definitely plan on doing so after the match. Just want to avoid any unlikely but possible repercussions if they find out lol.
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Might be worth a phone call to see if they plan to reschedule, and if so, if they were willing to cover your transportation costs. Seems a reasonable question under the circumstances. Give them the benefit of the doubt that the emergency was real -- at least until you hear otherwise.

ahorner1990 said:
I did an away rotation several months ago, and recently interviewed at the institution I did the away at.

I loved the away rotation...however, at the interview it was clear that many of the interviewers hadn’t read my application whatsoever, and some of them were rather aggressive/confrontational/unpleasant in their lines of questioning.

How should I interpret this?
Click to expand...

I'd believe your longer-term impressions of the program over your interview impressions. But the possibility is real that the other posters are correct that the grilling means they didn't love you. So don't put all of your expectations in that basket...
 
Honestly, it didn’t occur to me that they could hate me. A few things:

I got my eval from this place several months ago (when the away was) and it was overwhelmingly positive
My interviews were with people in the department that I hadn’t worked with previously (I suspect this was done on purpose)
If they hated me, would they really ask me to fly back across the country to interview several months after the away? That seems really mean...
 
ahorner1990 said:
Honestly, it didn’t occur to me that they could hate me. A few things:

I got my eval from this place several months ago (when the away was) and it was overwhelmingly positive
My interviews were with people in the department that I hadn’t worked with previously (I suspect this was done on purpose)
If they hated me, would they really ask me to fly back across the country to interview several months after the away? That seems really mean...
Click to expand...

If you are getting that treatment from the PD or assistant PD, it’s a bad sign bc they def get the feedbacks about you from residents and other attendings.

If it’s mostly faculty members that haven’t worked with you, it doesn’t mean anything.
 
samac said:
Was it Peds?
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No, family.
DokterMom said:
Might be worth a phone call to see if they plan to reschedule, and if so, if they were willing to cover your transportation costs. Seems a reasonable question under the circumstances. Give them the benefit of the doubt that the emergency was real -- at least until you hear otherwise.
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I have been calling during office hours since yesterday and nobody picks up. I emailed yesterday, also during business hours, and no response as of yet.
 
Clopidogrhelin said:
No, family.

I have been calling during office hours since yesterday and nobody picks up. I emailed yesterday, also during business hours, and no response as of yet.
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Consider yourself lucky that you won’t be dealing with such unprofessionalism for the next 3 years. $150-200 is worth it when you don’t have to deal with such terrible people for your training.
 
Oedipa Maas said:
Agreed. Can we all calm down (and by that I mean panic) and rail against the system again instead of each other? I'll start. I have 6 invites all to places that I love but I'm not at the magical 10-12 to match and I'm scared. 😢
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I totally get that. We’re both psych right? I’m at 5. I think the max I’ll pick up is 7. It’s nerve wracking.
 
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