MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

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LutGholein said:
I've been hearing from a few rad applicants that I talk to that the interview invites have been on the slower side of things. I hope it picks up soon
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Ya there was like a big initial wave and then a few trickle invites since then.

Looks like the a handful of people are starting to drop II’s tho so I think it’ll pick up a bit and then hit a bit of an equilibrium of some kind.

This is my gin-buzzed “wisdom.”
 
Dr. Lion said:
I'm not worried about being judged for not drinking and don't think at all that it would affect how I am evaluated. Just wouldn't be out at the bar with my friends holding a cranberry juice or lemon water either lol.
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Ah. I wouldn’t even be at the bar lol.
 
Oligodinero said:
So my II tomorrow afternoon is through Thalamus. I just got done reading all the instructions, downloaded Chrome to my laptop and logged in to check it out. Seems pretty straightforward......but I wanted to ask if anyone had any issues with their interview using Thalamus.
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I didn't have any issues with my Thalamus interview. You do have to click save settings before it will let you join your meeting though. You will have to click it each time you have a new meeting to join. I was a little confused by this in the beginning
 
sunshinefl said:
All this talk about alcohol vs not... I was drinking a coke in a glass with ice. Now I’m wondering if anyone assumed it was a mixed drink, even though it wasn’t and I don’t even drink.
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Even if it was, as long as you’re not bombed on camera...

I had a claw in a glass because it looked like sprite lol only my friend knew what it was
 
Oligodinero said:
So my II tomorrow afternoon is through Thalamus. I just got done reading all the instructions, downloaded Chrome to my laptop and logged in to check it out. Seems pretty straightforward......but I wanted to ask if anyone had any issues with their interview using Thalamus.
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Literally just figured out that Thalamus also had a video conference platform from reading your post. Guess I'll apologize to the program for asking for a zoom link for tomorrow lol. The last Thalamus interview I had only used it as a scheduling platform.
 
MakeLifeHappen13 said:
Them adding an extra round is one of the major reasons why people are interview hoarding. It's like a vicious cycle.
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Also, several programs have openly admitted they are interviewing more applicants this cycle. So yeah I can understand wanting to go to a couple more interviews if there is no cost of travel.
 
getfat said:
Also, several programs have openly admitted they are interviewing more applicants this cycle. So yeah I can understand wanting to go to a couple more interviews if there is no cost of travel.
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On the other hand, I've heard PDs at specific programs state they are interviewing the same amount of candidates this year compared to previous..
 
Yeah I've heard the same amount of candidates are being interviewed this year too. I agree with the others who feel that there are asshats hoarding all the interviews instead of declining them. I know for a fact that there are several folks applying EM that have over 20 invites....ain't nobody needing 20 interviews to match unless they're trying to couples match or have some exceptional circumstance.
 
LutGholein said:
I've been hearing from a few rad applicants that I talk to that the interview invites have been on the slower side of things. I hope it picks up soon
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Think it’s actually been pretty brisk compared to other specialties....look at spreadsheets.
 
Dr. Lion said:
Not with the pandemic going on for sure. I used to drink so I can enjoy a non-alcoholic Heineken or wine doesn't mean I am worried about what they think of me. Just means I'm trying to enjoy a cold one with everyone else. That's usually what me and my buddies who are not drinking do when everyone else is. Taste just as good.

Plus the guys used the classic cranberry juice scene from the departed too much growing up so probably some conditioning there too. Wont catch us holding a water. Thought someone would catch on when I said cranberry juice lol.

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Yeah I spent plenty of time in bars when I played music for a living. I’m old now lol.
 
So I received a rejection from a place where I applied to the categorical program as well as their PSTP, which is a separate track on ERAS (I'm MD/PhD). Was I rejected from both programs or just the categorical? The rejection letter does not specify the track.
 
sella.turcica said:
So I received a rejection from a place where I applied to the categorical program as well as their PSTP, which is a separate track on ERAS (I'm MD/PhD). Was I rejected from both programs or just the categorical? The rejection letter does not specify the track.
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Not sure, though possibly they have a harder time filling the PSTP track (especially if it adds time to residency)? I'm also a PhD and received invites to join a couple PSTP days despite not applying to those tracks. Debating whether to add applications in ERAS so that I could rank them in NRMP (if that's even necessary?). It's super confusing, and probably the thing to do would be to email the program coordinator, express that you're still interested in the PSTP track (if that's the case) and ask.
 
Spectreman said:
122 apps, sitting on 4 interviews, all courtesy invites from auditions. I applied gen surge cause it’s what I always wanted, but knowing my scores are low and a prelim may be in the works. Starting to think a prelim isn’t worth it cause there’s no time to make big changes. I don’t have letters for FM/IM cause I didn’t want to tap out prematurely... here I am now wishing I could. I saw some friends with way lower scores than mine get invites today and now I’m thinking there’s something else about me that’s a liability. Like my age, or that I have kids, or maybe my personal statement sucks. I don’t know, it’s a mess. We’re just in the trenches I guess, but my wife is kind of my rock and her losing her mind right now is like SUPER worrisome. Never seen her like this.
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Damn man, real sorry about the stress for you and the family. This whole process just blows. Just as an anecdote, the hospital I'm rotating at now, the surgical auditioners haven't received a single invite yet. It does seem like gen surg is real slow sending out invites this cycle. Keep your head up man, I'm sure you'll be getting more in the coming weeks.
 
Had one of the chief residents at my interview yesterday comment on LOIs spontaneously lol. He mentioned he had sent them when he was applying and said he didn't want to feel like there was something more he could've done to have a better shot at his first choice, but didn't know if it actually mattered. After that he said that now that he was on the other side of the application process he knows it didn't matter at all. Obviously can't extrapolate to all programs but theres at least a little view behind the veil for LOIs from one place.
 
Espressso said:
Damn man, real sorry about the stress for you and the family. This whole process just blows. Just as an anecdote, the hospital I'm rotating at now, the surgical auditioners haven't received a single invite yet. It does seem like gen surg is real slow sending out invites this cycle. Keep your head up man, I'm sure you'll be getting more in the coming weeks.
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I appreciate it. Gonna keep pushing forward like it’ll work out. I have a friend who was kind of in my shoes and always said “eh, I’ll just soap FM” but he didn’t manage to soap either and had to basically take a gap year. That kind of crap is weighing on me. In the end I just want to feel confident my wife and kids will be taken care of ya know? No matter what happens when this is over as long as I have a job I think our stress level will go way down.
 
Dr. Lion said:
Ya people on one side say they can hurt you. As if PDs are some sort of toxic creature that will ding those who dare to cross their path with interest. Others are people who have experiences like me and sent like 20 LOI on the same day last year and gets 2 invites 7 days later on the same day. Coincidence or LOIs? I always thought it was the LOIs but then again can't prove it.
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I know it worked for my s/o because she got emails back from the PDs saying "I think you would be a good fit here," with the II following after. The one's that I sent out have yielded nothing so far but I think it was worth a shot. I could only find the PD's email for 1 of the programs, the others were sent to the PC.

PM&R surprisingly seems to be pretty dang competitive this year, at least from my point of view. There's a decent amount of impressive board scorers on the reddit spreadsheet, very different from previous years (obviously response bias there). Thankful to at least have plenty of interviews and some love from top programs
 
Dr. Lion said:
So the 2 of the LOIs that were giving me sinus tachy yesterday, and the only 2 that were sent to PDS, both got a very appreciative "we will look at your application" reply. I thought they were an absolute disaster. Far from the perfect LOI we all discuss. No science to these I guess.
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To be fair, that may be a canned response.
 
I have an interview coming up in two weeks that I'd like to move. Is it better to call the PC or would email suffice? Our emails were scheduled through email. I know this is a bit neurotic to ask, but hard times...lol
 
serenity15 said:
I have an interview coming up in two weeks that I'd like to move. Is it better to call the PC or would email suffice? Our emails were scheduled through email. I know this is a bit neurotic to ask, but hard times...lol
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Email as usual.
 
Dry start to the week.

335
 
ritts said:
I know it worked for my s/o because she got emails back from the PDs saying "I think you would be a good fit here," with the II following after. The one's that I sent out have yielded nothing so far but I think it was worth a shot. I could only find the PD's email for 1 of the programs, the others were sent to the PC.

PM&R surprisingly seems to be pretty dang competitive this year, at least from my point of view. There's a decent amount of impressive board scorers on the reddit spreadsheet, very different from previous years (obviously response bias there). Thankful to at least have plenty of interviews and some love from top programs
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No joke about PM&R. I'm not getting nearly the yield I was expecting.
 
cadingcading said:
Have you guys seen OBGYN? Talk about messy. There are people with 260+ who are complaining bout getting 3 interviews.
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I was wondering how OBs first release day would go but don't have any buddies going into OB. That's brutal.
 
Well the reddit sheet is seeming like I won’t get my top spot. Based on number sent out and slots likely remaining

I did an away there and got incredible feedback and literally was told “we’ll make sure to look for your app” during my mini interview. Also had attendings and residents tell me to let them know if they can help. Really don’t know what else I could’ve done besides not be a DO and do a bit better on steps but I figured that me killin the away would at least get me an interview. Feels bad man

EDIT: Changed for anonymity
 
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Chibucks15 said:
Well the reddit sheet is seeming like I won’t get my top spot. Based on number sent out and slots likely remaining

I did an away there and got incredible feedback and literally was told “we’ll make sure to look for your app” during my mini interview. Also had attendings and residents tell me to let them know if they can help. Really don’t know what else I could’ve done besides not be a DO and do a bit better on steps but I figured that me killin the away would at least get me an interview. Feels bad man

EDIT: Changed for anonymity
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They lie. Always do. This is why they warn people not to believe PDs when they say they'll rank them high, etc. I also had a program do this to me and recently got a rejection notice.
 
Chibucks15 said:
Well the reddit sheet is seeming like I won’t get my top spot. Based on number sent out and slots likely remaining

I did an away there and got incredible feedback and literally was told “we’ll make sure to look for your app” during my mini interview. Also had attendings and residents tell me to let them know if they can help. Really don’t know what else I could’ve done besides not be a DO and do a bit better on steps but I figured that me killin the away would at least get me an interview. Feels bad man

EDIT: Changed for anonymity
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Ya be careful on Reddit. SDN gets crap for being like... idk "doom & gloom" but I think Reddit is worse.
 
NecrotizingFasciitis said:
Ya be careful on Reddit. SDN gets crap for being like... idk "doom & gloom" but I think Reddit is worse.
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Just based purely on feedback I got while on service it’s astonishing that I haven’t even gotten an interview. I sent an LOI to the coordinator but also just reached out to the guy that “mini interviewed” me because he said to reach out with any questions or concerns. So who knows maybe I get lucky, I’m fortunate to have many other opportunities, but man I was really hoping for that one and did everything I could
 
Chibucks15 said:
Just based purely on feedback I got while on service it’s astonishing that I haven’t even gotten an interview. I sent an LOI to the coordinator but also just reached out to the guy that “mini interviewed” me because he said to reach out with any questions or concerns. So who knows maybe I get lucky, I’m fortunate to have many other opportunities, but man I was really hoping for that one and did everything I could
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Hang in there homie. We still got a few months of this craziness left.
 
Chibucks15 said:
I try to talk to my patients about coping strategies, but little do they know mine is whiskey, Skyrim, and fortnite/warzone haha
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If you ever want to commiserate this sh**y process while playing warzone DM me for me gamer tag. Warzone is about the only thing that gets my mind off this **** show.
 
Chibucks15 said:
Well the reddit sheet is seeming like I won’t get my top spot. Based on number sent out and slots likely remaining

I did an away there and got incredible feedback and literally was told “we’ll make sure to look for your app” during my mini interview. Also had attendings and residents tell me to let them know if they can help. Really don’t know what else I could’ve done besides not be a DO and do a bit better on steps but I figured that me killin the away would at least get me an interview. Feels bad man

EDIT: Changed for anonymity
Click to expand...
I was told by a PD I auditioned at and got great feedback from to email them in mid november if I hadn't gotten an interview yet. She said it meant they made a mistake, which occasionally happens. So I'd just email the PD and say "hey this is Chibucks15 and I rotated with you, I haven't received an interview yet"
 
PorkChopsOG said:
I was told by a PD I auditioned at and got great feedback from to email them in mid november if I hadn't gotten an interview yet. She said it meant they made a mistake, which occasionally happens. So I'd just email the PD and say "hey this is Chibucks15 and I rotated with you, I haven't received an interview yet"
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Welp I sent one last Friday and one today to different people haha hopefully thats close enough to mid november :/
 
efle said:
Yield protection strikes again

SOAP is going to be wild
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I predict that this will be an unpopular opinion (and I know that you weren't taking sides when you posted) but as ****ty as yield protection is for peers/fellow applicants, I don't necessarily blame those that hold on to a few extra invites and end up going on a few interviews they otherwise wouldn't have in a normal year due to having more time and decreased travel costs. Assuming that the applicant "earned" the interview, he/she shouldn't feel bad about turning down an interview, just so that it could go to someone else, if there's even an inkling that he/she could see themselves ending up at the program.

Yes, I agree that purposeless interviews should be avoided. But say an applicant goes on 20 interviews and ranks all 20 places, I don't think he/she should be penalized in that scenario. On the contrary, the applicant that goes on 25 interviews and ranks 10 is the a$$hole, IMO.

I think it should be up to the programs to either be interviewing more people this year--and ultimately expand their rank lists--or for the AAMC/NRMP (whomever wields that power) to have capped interview numbers. The latter is water under the bridge, the former is not.

TL;DR hate the game (the system as it currently operates), not the player (the applicant that might want to check out a few more places on his/her list).

Edit: I'm just tired of med students placing blame on peers, when in reality, the blame should be directed toward those in positions of power.
 
morningmedicine said:
I predict that this will be an unpopular opinion (and I know that you weren't taking sides when you posted) but as ****ty as yield protection is for peers/fellow applicants, I don't necessarily blame those that hold on to a few extra invites and end up going on a few interviews they otherwise wouldn't have in a normal year due to having more time and decreased travel costs. Assuming that the applicant "earned" the interview, he/she shouldn't feel bad about turning down an interview, just so that it could go to someone else, if there's even an inkling that he/she could see themselves ending up at the program.

Yes, I agree that purposeless interviews should be avoided. But say an applicant goes on 20 interviews and ranks all 20 places, I don't think he/she should be penalized in that scenario. On the contrary, the applicant that goes on 25 interviews and ranks 10 is the a$$hole, IMO.

I think it should be up to the programs to either be interviewing more people this year--and ultimately expand their rank lists--or for the AAMC/NRMP (whomever wields that power) to have capped interview numbers. The latter is water under the bridge, the former is not.

TL;DR hate the game (the system as it currently operates), not the player (the applicant that might want to check out a few more places on his/her list).

Edit: I'm just tired of med students placing blame on peers, when in reality, the blame should be directed toward those in positions of power.
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Totally agree. It's a tragedy of the commons. We're all just doing what the system has made our individual incentive, but the aftermath is going to be detrimental to a lot of PDs and applicants unless interviews are assigned very carefully this year
 
morningmedicine said:
I predict that this will be an unpopular opinion (and I know that you weren't taking sides when you posted) but as ****ty as yield protection is for peers/fellow applicants, I don't necessarily blame those that hold on to a few extra invites and end up going on a few interviews they otherwise wouldn't have in a normal year due to having more time and decreased travel costs. Assuming that the applicant "earned" the interview, he/she shouldn't feel bad about turning down an interview, just so that it could go to someone else, if there's even an inkling that he/she could see themselves ending up at the program.

Yes, I agree that purposeless interviews should be avoided. But say an applicant goes on 20 interviews and ranks all 20 places, I don't think he/she should be penalized in that scenario. On the contrary, the applicant that goes on 25 interviews and ranks 10 is the a$$hole, IMO.

I think it should be up to the programs to either be interviewing more people this year--and ultimately expand their rank lists--or for the AAMC/NRMP (whomever wields that power) to have capped interview numbers. The latter is water under the bridge, the former is not.

TL;DR hate the game (the system as it currently operates), not the player (the applicant that might want to check out a few more places on his/her list).

Edit: I'm just tired of med students placing blame on peers, when in reality, the blame should be directed toward those in positions of power.
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Is there any reason not to rank every program you interview at, other than hating the program obviously?
 
bayerncat said:
Is there any reason not to rank every program you interview at, other than hating the program obviously?
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Honestly, I can't really think of other reasons. I think by "purposeless interviews," I was referring to those that are generally driven by ego and/or neuroticism. I.e. someone goes on an interview because they can, not because of genuine interest in the program. Or because they are neurotic and fearful of not matching.

I suppose sometimes it's a scheduling issue. I.e. you go on a few early interviews to medium interest programs only to be offered interviews at more interesting programs after you've already attended the medium-interest ones.
 
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