MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

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From the 2020 PD survey, if we follow the trend, then we should expect the bulk of interviews in early November of this year.

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popopopop said:
From the 2020 PD survey, if we follow the trend, then we should expect the bulk of interviews in early November of this year.

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Nice share. I think this makes sense. I've received two messages now saying they won't send out invites till mid november. So I think that makes sense. I also think they'll be more programs interviewing into mid to late january as well.
 
popopopop said:
I had one program with dates up towards 2/25!
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I had one of these as well. My interview is in mid February. Is that too late. Does it matter when you interview? I thought they start making the rank list in February.
 
Prehealth1011 said:
I had one of these as well. My interview is in mid February. Is that too late. Does it matter when you interview? I thought they start making the rank list in February.
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I think we can only speculate. It shouldn't make a difference as you said with the ranking. It might even boost you a bit if they remember your face late in the cycle. I don't know about January vs February though, wonder if we have data on that? I have a late Jan. date as it's my only option, definitely not my first choice. Just my thoughts.
 
popopopop said:
From the 2020 PD survey, if we follow the trend, then we should expect the bulk of interviews in early November of this year.

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Keep in mind that MSPEs were sent out later than applications last year. So technically the bulk should be happening right now. It is a crappy season for sure. If you haven't gotten anything from places you want to go to I would reach out to them. I think with everyone over applying this year, it is making things tricky.
 
cadingcading said:
Keep in mind that MSPEs were sent out later than applications last year. So technically the bulk should be happening right now. It is a crappy season for sure. If you haven't gotten anything from places you want to go to I would reach out to them. I think with everyone over applying this year, it is making things tricky.
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Yeah its a double edged sword. While this may theoretically be the best time for an LOI, with programs just absolutely swamped with applications, it could end up harming you more than helping. At least in neuro according to the reddit spreadsheet, only 51% of programs have even sent out invites at all yet. It obviously is gonna be different based on different specialties though
 
Chibucks15 said:
Yeah its a double edged sword. While this may theoretically be the best time for an LOI, with programs just absolutely swamped with applications, it could end up harming you more than helping. At least in neuro according to the reddit spreadsheet, only 51% of programs have even sent out invites at all yet. It obviously is gonna be different based on different specialties though
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Agreed. But I've heard of more people having luck this way then not having luck. Isn't this how things were done in the pre-ERAS era? I think the worst that could happen is that they ignore your LOI.
 
cadingcading said:
Agreed. But I've heard of more people having luck this way then not having luck. Isn't this how things were done in the pre-ERAS era? I think the worst that could happen is that they ignore your LOI.
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Earlier in the thread people have anecdotal evidence that it can also show that you're 'impatient' and can be bad. My schools advisor who used to be a surgery PD said that if she got any LOIs or any sort of non-urgent communication this early it was viewed as a big negative. I think its best to stay the course at least through this week then start considering if you've still heard nothing
 
Chibucks15 said:
Earlier in the thread people have anecdotal evidence that it can also show that you're 'impatient' and can be bad. My schools advisor who used to be a surgery PD said that if she got any LOIs or any sort of non-urgent communication this early it was viewed as a big negative. I think its best to stay the course at least through this week then start considering if you've still heard nothing
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I guess it can depend on the specialty? I was reading one thread where someone's mentor reached out to a few programs and that helped. So maybe getting a mentor to help would be better? In any case, some programs have filled up their interview slots already. I'm not sure what waiting is going to do except ensure that you don't have an interview at the end.
 
cadingcading said:
I guess it can depend on the specialty? I was reading one thread where someone's mentor reached out to a few programs and that helped. So maybe getting a mentor to help would be better? In any case, some programs have filled up their interview slots already. I'm not sure what waiting is going to do except ensure that you don't have an interview at the end.
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I agree with that. I think having a mentor reach out would be a million times better. Programs have filled up interview slots (for now). It seems like an insane principle to fill up all slots for the year within the first 7 days because there is no way in hell that you got through even half of the applications unless you used some insane filter. The logic just doesn't make sense you could be missing so many applicants that are good for the program if you do something like that but who knows. Definitely specialty specific
 
Chibucks15 said:
I agree with that. I think having a mentor reach out would be a million times better. Programs have filled up interview slots (for now). It seems like an insane principle to fill up all slots for the year within the first 7 days because there is no way in hell that you got through even half of the applications unless you used some insane filter. The logic just doesn't make sense you could be missing so many applicants that are good for the program if you do something like that but who knows. Definitely specialty specific
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I agree wholeheartedly. I have some very upset friends because they are on a waitlist 4 days after apps opened. SOAP is going to be messy this year.
 
So is it better to SOAP or do a research year? Will programs know you applied last year if you apply to a different specialty (does ERAS tell them)? I would think a research would be better since you would still be a US grad and can spin the “I had a change of heart” story
 
ace_inhibitor111 said:
So is it better to SOAP or do a research year? Will programs know you applied last year if you apply to a different specialty (does ERAS tell them)? I would think a research would be better since you would still be a US grad and can spin the “I had a change of heart” story
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If you’re gonna change either way then wouldn’t it be better just to soap into something non competitive?
 
Got nothing this week. Three backup invites last week, one supplemental request, and two saying they would send out invites in early november.
 
ace_inhibitor111 said:
Nah, I have a feeling if a program SOAPs they must be somewhat malignant (considering they interview 100s of people supposedly). I think it’s worth it to try again to at least have some chance of getting into a program you want.
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Not necessarily. I almost SOAPed into a tiny rural FM program last year that routinely doesn’t fill just because nobody wants to live there. My friend got the SOAP spot instead and she’s actually really happy there.
 
AspiringERMD said:
Not necessarily. I almost SOAPed into a tiny rural FM program last year that routinely doesn’t fill just because nobody wants to live there. My friend got the SOAP spot instead and she’s actually really happy there.
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I’m down for ultra rural FM, so freaked out I’m not going to have a job next year that I’ll do whatever at this point.
 
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For people on the fence of whether to send in LOI's or not:

I've been on 2 interviews now. Both PD's said that they have assigned all interviews at this point and would only open more "to people who went above and beyond to show their interest".

For reference, I'm applying FM, have received an II every single weekday since it opened, and have >15 interview invites total. Not to brag, but to counter the absolutely ridiculous "iTs ToO eArLy To FrEaK oUt" advice posts I've seen. If you don't like where your numbers are, NOW is the time to act on that. Wait another week and you are probably too late.
 
KarlFranz said:
FM is notorious tho for sending out way sooner than IM and other specialties. You should have a lot more interviews than most IMs at this point.
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That could very well be true, I have not talked to anyone in the IM applicant group. I am speaking specifically for FM, and for any other specialties that behave in a similar way.
 
Dr. Rafiki said:
That could very well be true, I have not talked to anyone in the IM applicant group. I am speaking specifically for FM, and for any other specialties that behave in a similar way.
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...which isn't the majority. Neuro for example only has had 53% of program even send out invites at all. So for the majority of people, the "don't freak out yet" stuff is completely warranted. You'd also rather err on the side of caution in this case because its literally only been a week and programs haven't been able to read everything fully. So if someone takes your advice and blasts programs with LOIs it will more likely than not bite them in the butt (depending on specialty of course)
 
This is the worst. I feel like I can’t even distance myself from checking since interview dates fill so fast. So I get to refresh ERAS and email Q5 mins, and thus I am repeatedly rejected Q5 mins. Still at ZERO. I never imagined all my sacrifice and suffering would be for nothing.

oh and as I was writing this post I got an ERAS notification... got a glimmer of hope... only for it to be a rejection from a community program with 20% DOs and low minimum scores of which I am well above.

The depths of this ongoing nightmare is unimaginable.
 
sunshinefl said:
This is the worst. I feel like I can’t even distance myself from checking since interview dates fill so fast. So I get to refresh ERAS and email Q5 mins, and thus I am repeatedly rejected Q5 mins. Still at ZERO. I never imagined all my sacrifice and suffering would be for nothing.

oh and as I was writing this post I got an ERAS notification... got a glimmer of hope... only for it to be a rejection from a community program with 20% DOs and low minimum scores of which I am well above.

The depths of this ongoing nightmare is unimaginable.
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@sunshinefl, there is nothing i can say that will make you stress less. But think back about the time when you applied to medical school and got in. Getting a residency is going to be even easier. Its super early, and not all programs have even sent out IIs yet. You got this.
 
sunshinefl said:
This is the worst. I feel like I can’t even distance myself from checking since interview dates fill so fast. So I get to refresh ERAS and email Q5 mins, and thus I am repeatedly rejected Q5 mins. Still at ZERO. I never imagined all my sacrifice and suffering would be for nothing.

oh and as I was writing this post I got an ERAS notification... got a glimmer of hope... only for it to be a rejection from a community program with 20% DOs and low minimum scores of which I am well above.

The depths of this ongoing nightmare is unimaginable.
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Hey sunshinefl I messaged you personally. please keep your head up!
 
I’m not opening the spreadsheet anymore and you all shouldn’t either. Applying EM and even though it just went over 50% of programs today, it’s impossible to tell what invites are new or not since it’s getting so cluttered, and the box that says “new programs sending first interviews” and “old programs” doesn’t even work 3/4 the time since there’s always 100+ people on there constantly refreshing.

I already feel less stressed. Ignorance is bliss.
 
sunshinefl said:
This is the worst. I feel like I can’t even distance myself from checking since interview dates fill so fast. So I get to refresh ERAS and email Q5 mins, and thus I am repeatedly rejected Q5 mins. Still at ZERO. I never imagined all my sacrifice and suffering would be for nothing.

oh and as I was writing this post I got an ERAS notification... got a glimmer of hope... only for it to be a rejection from a community program with 20% DOs and low minimum scores of which I am well above.

The depths of this ongoing nightmare is unimaginable.
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It sucks today, but one day this will be in the rearview mirror. Stay strong, youve come so far. And you have us if you need it.
 
Welp, got my only II of the season so far. Emailed back in 3min flat, but apparently was supposed to schedule in the ERAS system (who actually uses the ERAS scheduler?!) so...by the time they emailed me back to correct me, there weren't even any waitlist slots left. 30min, tops.

FML. This season is going to BLOW.

It wasn't this bad last year. Close, but not this bad.
 
mehc012 said:
Welp, got my only II of the season so far. Emailed back in 3min flat, but apparently was supposed to schedule in the ERAS system (who actually uses the ERAS scheduler?!) so...by the time they emailed me back to correct me, there weren't even any waitlist slots left. 30min, tops.

FML. This season is going to BLOW.

It wasn't this bad last year. Close, but not this bad.
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Dude, this process ****ing blows. I am angry for you all.
 
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