MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

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Ok I will start doing that! I already scheduled all of those interviews to be conducted within the next 2-3 weeks but from now on I will try to follow that. I was just scared initially because i thought they would be good for practice
You gotta do what you think is best for you. No one else will advocate for you in this process. That said, if I'm a mid tier MD applicant with no red flags I'm not going on 20+ interviews. That would br wild IMO.
 
I suspect they have no idea how to try and figure out who is actually interested. Secondaries just waste all of our time and don’t actually help them know that either... but they seem hellbent on trying lol
Secondaries is both teams losing and only marginally narrowing down a list. It's completely pointless. Of course you don't have some big link to most of these places. It's the nature of applying to a competitive field. We are not looking for 4 accounting firm interviews after undergrad... It's just so unrealistic and due to PDs not making clear parameters for who should apply to their program.
 
You gotta do what you think is best for you. No one else will advocate for you in this process. That said, if I'm a mid tier MD applicant with no red flags I'm not going on 20+ interviews. That would br wild IMO.
I kinda fit that bill.. do you really think its that wild

i just thought that since i was able to squeeze all of these into the next 3 weeks (in which time hopefully some reach and target interviews will roll in), there would be no harm in doing them

If I was choosing between a safety and a reach interview i would understand but as of now im only receiving safety IVs
 
You gotta do what you think is best for you. No one else will advocate for you in this process. That said, if I'm a mid tier MD applicant with no red flags I'm not going on 20+ interviews. That would br wild IMO.
It would be wild in a normal year. But a normal year 10-12 is considered the safe target so this year 20+ is probably completely rational to put oneself through, unfortunately.

Also I'm joining the "tell me SOMETHING" club. Applied to 50 DR and 30 TY/prelim and havent heard anything at all, not even secondaries or app recieved
 
I kinda fit that bill.. do you really think its that wild

i just thought that since i was able to squeeze all of these into the next 3 weeks (in which time hopefully some reach and target interviews will roll in), there would be no harm in doing them

If I was choosing between a safety and a reach interview i would understand but as of now im only receiving safety IVs
As I said before, it's your perogative. You earned them! You have to sleep at night with no regrets.
 
I still do not have an invite and I applied to over 100 programs. Many of the people I know at least have 1. Do you think there might be a problem such as a bad LOR? I'm getting nervous. FWIW I did not do great on my boards but passed. Aiming for a PC specialty.
 
Its a tragedy of the commons kind of situation with over application and interviewing. Cant really blame people for over applying. Really what should have happened is our wise leaders should have had the foresight and common sense to limit interview and or application numbers by specialty. Everyone is going to pay because of this, programs and applicants alike. The only one profiting is the middlemen, eras, nbme.
 
I still do not have an invite and I applied to over 100 programs. Many of the people I know at least have 1. Do you think there might be a problem such as a bad LOR? I'm getting nervous. FWIW I did not do great on my boards but passed. Aiming for a PC specialty.
I'd blame the boards before the LoRs. Lots of people sort the stack by USMLE
 
What are people’s thoughts on scheduling an AM interview and a PM interview on the same day at different institutions? Theoretically should be fine, right?

I would be cautious of doing that just because everywhere I've gotten IIs to are having resident meetings the night before, which you probably don't want to miss and you can't go to two at the same time.
 
Its a tragedy of the commons kind of situation with over application and interviewing. Cant really blame people for over applying. Really what should have happened is our wise leaders should have had the foresight and common sense to limit interview and or application numbers by specialty. Everyone is going to pay because of this, programs and applicants alike. The only one profiting is the middlemen, eras, nbme.
I have no idea how so many specialties saw this coming, but then all they did about it was put out requests to please not over apply. ENT are the only ones that took action. I bet they're going to have a much better distribution of interviews because of the tokens compared to nsurg, plastic, etc
 
I would be cautious of doing that just because everywhere I've gotten IIs to are having resident meetings the night before, which you probably don't want to miss and you can't go to two at the same time.
Or can you? Cue classic sitcom trope of entertaining two dates at the same time.
 
I'd blame the boards before the LoRs. Lots of people sort the stack by USMLE
Is it a bad thing that I haven't gotten one invite yet for the number of prog
I'd blame the boards before the LoRs. Lots of people sort the stack by USMLE
It is going to be a rough year with primary care due to shear increase in number of applications to these programs?
 
Is it a bad thing that I haven't gotten one invite yet for the number of prog

It is going to be a rough year with primary care due to shear increase in number of applications to these programs?
its early, and who knows all bets are off considering covid.
The plus side is al it takes is one II and rank to match.
 
to my rads friends- can you correct me if I'm wrong?

Because some advanced DR programs treat the DR interview as an interview for the pre-lim program as well, come rank time do we rank that advanced DR spot + rank the pre-lim spot under it (even if we didn't apply to the pre-lim spot through ERAS)?

I think this works because technically you don't have to apply to a program in ERAS to rank it.
 
to my rads friends- can you correct me if I'm wrong?

Because some advanced DR programs treat the DR interview as an interview for the pre-lim program as well, come rank time do we rank that advanced DR spot + rank the pre-lim spot under it (even if we didn't apply to the pre-lim spot through ERAS)?

I think this works because technically you don't have to apply to a program in ERAS to rank it.
some programs will advertise this, some will not. so there is a possibility you dont have a prelim spot come match time at which point you would soap into one.
TFW 8/35 programs you applied to have already sent out IIs and you werent on the list.
 
some programs will advertise this, some will not. so there is a possibility you dont have a prelim spot come match time at which point you would soap into one.

ic. I mean I would rank the other prelims/TY I applied to, so hopefully I would just do my 1st year elsewhere

just wanted to make sure we didn't have to apply to prelims at all the places we applied rads
 
some programs will advertise this, some will not. so there is a possibility you dont have a prelim spot come match time at which point you would soap into one.

TFW 8/35 programs you applied to have already sent out IIs and you werent on the list.
25/108 for me. Just checked the spreadsheet again. Most of the 25 are my top, reasonable, in state choices. None of them want me.
 
25/108 for me. Just checked the spreadsheet again. Most of the 25 are my top, reasonable, in state choices. None of them want me.
My friends (n=2, small sample size i know, DO) from the Northeast still have no IM interviews. Hang in there!
Edit: i assumed you're applying IM lol. In any case, hang in there!
 
Just got my 1st II at one of my top choices. I've never been more relieved.

I had a research rotation that fell through so I have to use my vacation now. I LITERALLY have nothing else to do besides sit here and refresh my email haha its cold and rainy outside to top it all off. Its gonna be a long cycle

applying to mostly out-of-current region (but into my original "home" area programs). got 5 IV/40+ programs in the last 24h. none from my preferred region, all big time safeties i added in a panic at 3am EST on 10/21. It feels GREAT to have IV - truly, I feel blessed. i got in the 210s on step 1; my home area is very popular. but F&*K i really want to match back home.

praying they come. also on Vacation right now from rotations and am refreshing everyhting like a monster. its toxic. i think we all need to do some serious self-care this weekend. i feel like an ass still being nervous given my total count, but i also want to recognize everyone is in their own boats. im older, have a family who is very much counting on me matching back home after a brutal few years at a med school far away. this process really sucks and i wish there was more transparency from program about who they're looking for and their interview process. this may get some heat but my heart hurts and i feel like i don't have anyone else to vent to, so here i am.

seriously, praying they will come. for all of us who need it...at least we have each other. and sorry if this is pretentious, i am so grateful for the IV i have, but they are all where i currently am and idk if my family can take another three years. i haven't been able to get good sleep in a few nights.
 
applying to mostly out-of-current region (but into my original "home" area programs). got 5 IV/40+ programs in the last 24h. none from my preferred region, all big time safeties i added in a panic at 3am EST on 10/21. It feels GREAT to have IV - truly, I feel blessed. i got in the 210s on step 1; my home area is very popular. but F&*K i really want to match back home.

praying they come. also on Vacation right now from rotations and am refreshing everyhting like a monster. its toxic. i think we all need to do some serious self-care this weekend. i feel like an ass still being nervous given my total count, but i also want to recognize everyone is in their own boats. im older, have a family who is very much counting on me matching back home after a brutal few years at a med school far away. this process really sucks and i wish there was more transparency from program about who they're looking for and their interview process. this may get some heat but my heart hurts and i feel like i don't have anyone else to vent to, so here i am.

seriously, praying they will come. for all of us who need it...at least we have each other. and sorry if this is pretentious, i am so grateful for the IV i have, but they are all where i currently am and idk if my family can take another three years. i haven't been able to get good sleep in a few nights.
You should seriously consider an LOI for the programs that you have ties to and you want to move back.
This year is going to be a very large regional preferance. I am not sure if OOS people get interviews after the regional folks have been reviewed or not.
 
applying to mostly out-of-current region (but into my original "home" area programs). got 5 IV/40+ programs in the last 24h. none from my preferred region, all big time safeties i added in a panic at 3am EST on 10/21. It feels GREAT to have IV - truly, I feel blessed. i got in the 210s on step 1; my home area is very popular. but F&*K i really want to match back home.

praying they come. also on Vacation right now from rotations and am refreshing everyhting like a monster. its toxic. i think we all need to do some serious self-care this weekend. i feel like an ass still being nervous given my total count, but i also want to recognize everyone is in their own boats. im older, have a family who is very much counting on me matching back home after a brutal few years at a med school far away. this process really sucks and i wish there was more transparency from program about who they're looking for and their interview process. this may get some heat but my heart hurts and i feel like i don't have anyone else to vent to, so here i am.

seriously, praying they will come. for all of us who need it...at least we have each other. and sorry if this is pretentious, i am so grateful for the IV i have, but they are all where i currently am and idk if my family can take another three years. i haven't been able to get good sleep in a few nights.
You're a hero and your family should be proud of you for working so hard away from home. I hope you're able to secure a place close to home.
 
Ok I will start doing that! I already scheduled all of those interviews to be conducted within the next 2-3 weeks but from now on I will try to follow that. I was just scared initially because i thought they would be good for practice
It's a good idea to have 1-2 in-person, so probably 2-3 virtual, interviews at places that aren't at the top of your list just to become familiar with how the process goes. Common practice after that is to schedule lower places for later in the cycle to save your energy for your more desired programs and also in case you don't get the yield you want. The exception was if you were going to be in the area, but that doesn't apply this year. As soon as you hit the number you feel satisfied with you can start canceling the less desired places that are scheduled for later on. Ideally, since they were scheduled for later in the season it should give programs and applicants plenty of time to fill the openings.
 
ok DR boys on what day should we start sending LOIs to all 50+ programs ? today?
I have a feeling that this year is going to be very very regional. Our deans were already talking about this previously.
I honestly do not think it is a bad idea to single out a few programs in the region you are interested and write a LOI to them, as long as they have already sent out interviews. It seems like the higher tier programs are spending their time on review, while the regional ones filter by region and step and send out invites. I would probably start sending LOI in about 10 days to a handful of programs.
 
I have a feeling that this year is going to be very very regional. Our deans were already talking about this previously.
I honestly do not think it is a bad idea to single out a few programs in the region you are interested and write a LOI to them, as long as they have already sent out interviews. It seems like the higher tier programs are spending their time on review, while the regional ones filter by region and step and send out invites. I would probably start sending LOI in about 10 days to a handful of programs.

How would you suggest wording an LOI this early? Feel like it could come off super cringey if not done correctly
 
How would you suggest wording an LOI this early? Feel like it could come off super cringey if not done correctly
IDK, id probably say something like, due to the unprecedented nature of this application cycle, I would like to take the initiative early to display my interest in your program. The program appeals to me for x , y , and z reasons. And I would like to move to the region around the program for "w" reasons.

Im not sure, im not a great writer and I have never written an LOI.

Plus who cares about cringe when we are out here fighting for our careers.
 
How would you suggest wording an LOI this early? Feel like it could come off super cringey if not done correctly

You realize applications have been opened for like 3 days right? Anything you say at this point in time will be cringey and is as likely to result in your application being thrown in the trash as getting a interview. Chill out

If you get to the end of November and still hear nothing, then consider sending
 
You realize applications have been opened for like 3 days right? Anything you say at this point in time will be cringey and is as likely to result in your application being thrown in the trash as getting a interview. Chill out

If you get to the end of November and still hear nothing, then consider sending

I didn’t say I was going to write one tomorrow I was inquiring what the content would be for one. You chill out broski
 
Would it be appropriate to email programs regarding an updated PS saying it better conveys my fit for the specialty? I didn’t realize they wanted me to talk about fit for specialty, just interest in it. Also, there are some programs who already sent almost all their II already looking at the schedule
 
We can all only speak to our own experiences but...I disagree about waiting until the end of November. I sent my LOIs in mid-October to early November last year. So like 1 month + after apps were due. The ones I sent in October netted me interviews. One I sent at the end of October I was told I would have received an interview had I contacted them earlier but they were now full and they don’t tend to strongly consider out of region people without LOIs. True? Or just a line? Who knows. But a PD saying their IV spots were full like two weeks after deans letter was released? Interesting. They put me on a waitlist I never got off of.

This year is condensed and unpredictable, I don’t think waiting until the end of November is prudent.
 
Would it be appropriate to email programs regarding an updated PS saying it better conveys my fit for the specialty? I didn’t realize they wanted me to talk about fit for specialty, just interest in it. Also, there are some programs who already sent almost all their II already looking at the schedule

Don’t do this. Save those thoughts for interviews. Unless you are psych, a lot of specialities don’t weight the PS all that much and most people I know aimed for “readable and no red flags”.
 
People out here acting like this is a normal cycle, and that there is some well known set of rules surrounding residency application. Neither of which is true. As long as what you are doing is not a direct violation of match rules. Do what ever you think is appropriate.
 
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