MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

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I like what ENT did with unlimited apps but 5 "tokens" to indicate your favorites. I can see a few overly optimistic people screwing themselves by spending all their tokens at big names. But for the average applicant that's a fantastic way to make sure a few of your favorite random/mid-tier/safety programs know you're actually interested and interview you, as well as telling your dream program or two that they're your favorites.
I’m applying ENT and I actually think the token system has not worked that well. Programs cannot be forced to interview someone even if they give a token and they are inviting top applicants without tokens over average + token. In a year with 530 USMD applicants for 330 spots, every program knows that they will fill, token or not.
 
I’m applying ENT and I actually think the token system has not worked that well. Programs cannot be forced to interview someone even if they give a token and they are inviting top applicants without tokens over average + token. In a year with 530 USMD applicants for 330 spots, every program knows that they will fill, token or not.
Hahah fair enough, I suppose the token system only works if everyone plays by the rules. If the big names are just going to interview the same group of heavily overlapping candidates regardless of how tokens were spent, then there's no solution besides a central interview scheduling service with a cap.
 
I’m applying ENT and I actually think the token system has not worked that well. Programs cannot be forced to interview someone even if they give a token and they are inviting top applicants without tokens over average + token. In a year with 530 USMD applicants for 330 spots, every program knows that they will fill, token or not.
I'm honestly surprised people thought programs would act any differently than what they're doing. The token thing seems like it's only slightly more effective than a LOI - which is not at all.
 
Hahah fair enough, I suppose the token system only works if everyone plays by the rules. If the big names are just going to interview the same group of heavily overlapping candidates regardless of how tokens were spent, then there's no solution besides a central interview scheduling service with a cap.
I think an interview cap could work in some specialties but not others. E.g. for ENT this year, 200 people will not match just due to the excess number of applicants. Capping interviews can even out the interview distribution, but I think it's better to go unmatched with 0-1 interviews vs. 8-9. Someone with 0-1 interviews knows they will need to work on contingency plans pretty early on whereas the latter may not.
 
I think an interview cap could work in some specialties but not others. E.g. for ENT this year, 200 people will not match just due to the excess number of applicants. Capping interviews can even out the interview distribution, but I think it's better to go unmatched with 0-1 interviews vs. 8-9. Someone with 0-1 interviews knows they will need to work on contingency plans pretty early on whereas the latter may not.

Wait what? Aren't there ENT applicants going unmatched anyways because applicants >> seats?
 
Wait what? Aren't there ENT applicants going unmatched anyways because applicants >> seats?

Yes, that's why I think interview caps in specialties with more applicants than spots can give 'false hope'. These specialties are also most likely the ones with the most shotgunning of apps.
 
It is now required to take step 1 to sit for step 2. They changed that when they announced going to P/F, fyi.
No this is incorrect. You do not need to take Step 1 to take step 2 CK. Which is what everyone is referring to. The wording was specific to having to take step 1 to take Step 2 CS.
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No this is incorrect. You do not need to take Step 1 to take step 2 CK. Which is what everyone is referring to. The wording was specific to having to take step 1 to take Step 2 CS. View attachment 324041View attachment 324042
On the other hand, they are talking about a virtual CS and we may be taking it as intern...if we make it through this brutal match process
 
On the other hand, they are talking about a virtual CS and we may be taking it as intern...if we make it through this brutal match process
Yeah, who knows what will happen with CS and comlex PE. Unfortunately, I think there is too much money on the table for them to listen to common sense. So we may all end up having to stop caring for real patients so we can take care of fake patients to prove we are safe to continue taking care of real patients.
 
how my EM #gang doin?
Just kind of a wreck. Very below avg MD reapplicant with 8 EM IIs and I vacillate between certainty that I’ll match my #1 and certainty that I won’t match at all and they’re literally both making me cry.

Also guilt over the FM interviews I’ve done when I’m starting to have a change of heart about whether to rank my FM backups at all :/
 
Just kind of a wreck. Very below avg MD reapplicant with 8 EM IIs and I vacillate between certainty that I’ll match my #1 and certainty that I won’t match at all and they’re literally both making me cry.

Also guilt over the FM interviews I’ve done when I’m starting to have a change of heart about whether to rank my FM backups at all :/
I am so nervous about interviews. You don’t get feedbacks at all...and programs lie. My worst nightmare about this is making the same mistake at all my interviews and end up not matching...
 
Unrelated to eras, but as match/intern year approaches anyone else ****ting their pants at the thought of actually...being responsible for stuff? I feel like I've hemorrhaged all of step1 + step2 info from my head since interviews have started. ****
 
Unrelated to eras, but as match/intern year approaches anyone else ****ting their pants at the thought of actually...being responsible for stuff? I feel like I've hemorrhaged all of step1 + step2 info from my head since interviews have started. ****

Bruh I'm performing at like 50% compared to clerkship year.
 
Unrelated to eras, but as match/intern year approaches anyone else ****ting their pants at the thought of actually...being responsible for stuff? I feel like I've hemorrhaged all of step1 + step2 info from my head since interviews have started. ****
Yeah. I’m missing basic pimp questions that I would’ve answered in seconds last year. I remember going to the “intern boot camp” didactics at the beginning of last year thinking “how do they not know this?”

Oh, that’s how...
 
Unrelated to eras, but as match/intern year approaches anyone else ****ting their pants at the thought of actually...being responsible for stuff? I feel like I've hemorrhaged all of step1 + step2 info from my head since interviews have started. ****
Yeah. I’m missing basic pimp questions that I would’ve answered in seconds last year. I remember going to the “intern boot camp” didactics at the beginning of last year thinking “how do they not know this?”

Oh, that’s how...
I would say there's only about 10-20% of stuff you studied for Step 1/2 that's applicable in real life. The stuff you've hemorrhaged is likely stuff you didn't need to know anyway. For you rising 3s and 4s reading this thread, remember that you too will be our shoes and you should be nice to your interns.

Your day to day life as intern will probably consist of:
  • Repleting electrolytes
  • Getting yelled at for placing an inappropriate consult when your seniors are the ones who put you up to it
  • Signing forms for DME you never knew existed
  • Being put on hold for 35 minutes or being transferred 17 times to fill out a prior authorization
  • Getting page after page for nursing orders that you think are common sense, but apparently are not such as "patient may shower" (when what you really want to say is please for the love of your god go take a shower)
  • Repleting electrolytes
  • Getting paged by pharmacy asking if you really did mean to put in oxy 15 Q4H around the clock (yes, and actually that's still less than the person's home dosage and frequency)
  • Patients snarkily telling you "it's in my chart, don't you look at people's charts?" (yes, I do, but I have 41 patients to take care of today and sorry/not sorry I didn't know you had a hang nail in 1995)
  • Getting yelled at for either not doing enough or taking too much initiative
  • Quickly excusing yourself for a minute while you look at UpToDate on your phone to answer something you knew as an M1/M2
  • Repleting electrolytes
  • After a long hard day where you wanted to rip your hair out every other minute, still being in awe you get to now start taking care of patients in a way that matters and can have a meaningful, positive, lasting impact on someone's life
 
Unrelated to eras, but as match/intern year approaches anyone else ****ting their pants at the thought of actually...being responsible for stuff? I feel like I've hemorrhaged all of step1 + step2 info from my head since interviews have started. ****

This is why I've been keeping up with my Step 2 reviews like 3-4 days a week. I know I have terrible memory and I feel like if I let go of Anki I'm going to walk into intern year with the medical knowledge of a potato.
 
Unrelated to eras, but as match/intern year approaches anyone else ****ting their pants at the thought of actually...being responsible for stuff? I feel like I've hemorrhaged all of step1 + step2 info from my head since interviews have started. ****
I wish I had access to uworld for step 3... but I'm too cheap to buy it since residency programs say they'll pay for it.
I've started rewatching all of online med ed since I actually have the time now
 
I wish I had access to uworld for step 3... but I'm too cheap to buy it since residency programs say they'll pay for it.
I've started rewatching all of online med ed since I actually have the time now
Idk about you, but I’m hopping on that Dr. Ryan 🥰🥰🥰 BnB Step2/3 review course he’s got. I love that man.
 
Yo ngl I'm not doing any studying for a while and I refuse to feel guilty about it.

On a separate note, any IM interviews recently?? i feel like the trickle is getting weaker and weaker by the hour
Agree. I am planning to take step 3 in June to avoid Stupid CS...and I am binge watching Netflix...interview season is stressful enough...I am not studying anything 🤣
 
Agree. I am planning to take step 3 in June to avoid Stupid CS...and I am binge watching Netflix...interview season is stressful enough...I am not studying anything 🤣

Woah woah woah - are you saying that if we don't take step 3 soon, we will have to take CS after all?
 
Woah woah woah - are you saying that if we don't take step 3 soon, we will have to take CS after all?
Best not to risk it? I probably will try to sign up on the early side too (don't you need to show that you've graduated though? Also it looks like they recommend having completed one postgraduate year of training, but I don't know if they hold anyone to that).

Sorry guys, I chickened out an in the end didn't cancel any interviews. It's such an unpredictable year that after consulting with family I decided a bit of a buffer was a good idea. Per specialty recommendations for average applicants based on numbers, I only applied to 15 programs. I was offered 12 interviews and initially was only going to attend 10 (not a competitive specialty) but changed my mind and am going to all 12. The 2 I was on the fence about were both prelim programs, and it seems like every year there are people who match advanced programs but not prelims and would be grateful if those spots end up in SOAP (though my guess is that this year they won't, but we'll see). Not trying to kick off the whole "what constitutes hoarding" debate again, just recognizing this is a stressful time and hoping for the best for everyone.
 
Best not to risk it? I probably will try to sign up on the early side too (don't you need to show that you've graduated though? Also it looks like they recommend having completed one postgraduate year of training, but I don't know if they hold anyone to that).

Sorry guys, I chickened out an in the end didn't cancel any interviews. It's such an unpredictable year that after consulting with family I decided a bit of a buffer was a good idea. Per specialty recommendations for average applicants based on numbers, I only applied to 15 programs. I was offered 12 interviews and initially was only going to attend 10 (not a competitive specialty) but changed my mind and am going to all 12. The 2 I was on the fence about were both prelim programs, and it seems like every year there are people who match advanced programs but not prelims and would be grateful if those spots end up in SOAP (though my guess is that this year they won't, but we'll see). Not trying to kick off the whole "what constitutes hoarding" debate again, just recognizing this is a stressful time and hoping for the best for everyone.
You only applied to 15 programs!!! Wow, that's an incredible 80% yield. I wish next year I could save some money and only apply to 15-20, but I'll probably end up applying to 70+. Can't risk it as a DO.
 
Best not to risk it? I probably will try to sign up on the early side too (don't you need to show that you've graduated though? Also it looks like they recommend having completed one postgraduate year of training, but I don't know if they hold anyone to that).

Sorry guys, I chickened out an in the end didn't cancel any interviews. It's such an unpredictable year that after consulting with family I decided a bit of a buffer was a good idea. Per specialty recommendations for average applicants based on numbers, I only applied to 15 programs. I was offered 12 interviews and initially was only going to attend 10 (not a competitive specialty) but changed my mind and am going to all 12. The 2 I was on the fence about were both prelim programs, and it seems like every year there are people who match advanced programs but not prelims and would be grateful if those spots end up in SOAP (though my guess is that this year they won't, but we'll see). Not trying to kick off the whole "what constitutes hoarding" debate again, just recognizing this is a stressful time and hoping for the best for everyone.

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Best not to risk it? I probably will try to sign up on the early side too (don't you need to show that you've graduated though? Also it looks like they recommend having completed one postgraduate year of training, but I don't know if they hold anyone to that).

Sorry guys, I chickened out an in the end didn't cancel any interviews. It's such an unpredictable year that after consulting with family I decided a bit of a buffer was a good idea. Per specialty recommendations for average applicants based on numbers, I only applied to 15 programs. I was offered 12 interviews and initially was only going to attend 10 (not a competitive specialty) but changed my mind and am going to all 12. The 2 I was on the fence about were both prelim programs, and it seems like every year there are people who match advanced programs but not prelims and would be grateful if those spots end up in SOAP (though my guess is that this year they won't, but we'll see). Not trying to kick off the whole "what constitutes hoarding" debate again, just recognizing this is a stressful time and hoping for the best for everyone.

Why are you apologizing, that's not hoarding.
 
Agree. I am planning to take step 3 in June to avoid Stupid CS...and I am binge watching Netflix...interview season is stressful enough...I am not studying anything 🤣
They are already in the process of making a virtual CS. From the lame-ass claim "stakeholder vote", it will come back...exactly when? No one knows but them...I am pretty sure they will try to implement it ASAP...because you know CS is "crucial" to ensure safe patient care. Dr prior to CS are all "incompetent". 10 SP grading is more crucial than anything else even tho no one practices it in real life..
Best not to risk it? I probably will try to sign up on the early side too (don't you need to show that you've graduated though? Also it looks like they recommend having completed one postgraduate year of training, but I don't know if they hold anyone to that).

Sorry guys, I chickened out an in the end didn't cancel any interviews. It's such an unpredictable year that after consulting with family I decided a bit of a buffer was a good idea. Per specialty recommendations for average applicants based on numbers, I only applied to 15 programs. I was offered 12 interviews and initially was only going to attend 10 (not a competitive specialty) but changed my mind and am going to all 12. The 2 I was on the fence about were both prelim programs, and it seems like every year there are people who match advanced programs but not prelims and would be grateful if those spots end up in SOAP (though my guess is that this year they won't, but we'll see). Not trying to kick off the whole "what constitutes hoarding" debate again, just recognizing this is a stressful time and hoping for the best for everyone.
As long as you get the "graduated" from your school. You don't have to wait to register. It is better if you have some intern training obviously, but don't have to...Most of the ****s I learned for step 1-2 I did not learn from school and clinical anyway.
 
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Just finished interviewing at one of my top programs and feel like I dropped the ball hard. First 3 interviews with faculty all went well, last one with PD felt like a ****show.

Interviews were all 30-35 minutes, PD started asking me "What questions do you have for me?" with like 25 minutes to go. 5 minute warning came up and I literally COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK, and I mean nothing. I asked at least 10 questions if not more beforehand.

So I replied with, your presentation was very thorough and I had all my questions answered, is there anything else you'd like to ask about me? And he's just straight up like nah I'm good. Then we just said thanks and ended it. Am I overthinking this or does it look extremely bad if I didn't use up all my allotted time with the PD? Damn this is gonna be haunting me until March.
 
Just finished interviewing at one of my top programs and feel like I dropped the ball hard. First 3 interviews with faculty all went well, last one with PD felt like a ****show.

Interviews were all 30-35 minutes, PD started asking me "What questions do you have for me?" with like 25 minutes to go. 5 minute warning came up and I literally COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK, and I mean nothing. I asked at least 10 questions if not more beforehand.

So I replied with, your presentation was very thorough and I had all my questions answered, is there anything else you'd like to ask about me? And he's just straight up like nah I'm good. Then we just said thanks and ended it. Am I overthinking this or does it look extremely bad if I didn't use up all my allotted time with the PD? Damn this is gonna be haunting me until March.
You're good. They know that you've been through a full day of info and question asking. The PD session is mostly for getting to ask the real admin questions and putting a face to the program leadership. Most of the PDs at the end of the day have started off saying they know I'm probably questioned out by now.
 
Just finished interviewing at one of my top programs and feel like I dropped the ball hard. First 3 interviews with faculty all went well, last one with PD felt like a ****show.

Interviews were all 30-35 minutes, PD started asking me "What questions do you have for me?" with like 25 minutes to go. 5 minute warning came up and I literally COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK, and I mean nothing. I asked at least 10 questions if not more beforehand.

So I replied with, your presentation was very thorough and I had all my questions answered, is there anything else you'd like to ask about me? And he's just straight up like nah I'm good. Then we just said thanks and ended it. Am I overthinking this or does it look extremely bad if I didn't use up all my allotted time with the PD? Damn this is gonna be haunting me until March.
No big deal. You did fine.
 
Just finished interviewing at one of my top programs and feel like I dropped the ball hard. First 3 interviews with faculty all went well, last one with PD felt like a ****show.

Interviews were all 30-35 minutes, PD started asking me "What questions do you have for me?" with like 25 minutes to go. 5 minute warning came up and I literally COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK, and I mean nothing. I asked at least 10 questions if not more beforehand.

So I replied with, your presentation was very thorough and I had all my questions answered, is there anything else you'd like to ask about me? And he's just straight up like nah I'm good. Then we just said thanks and ended it. Am I overthinking this or does it look extremely bad if I didn't use up all my allotted time with the PD? Damn this is gonna be haunting me until March.

I've been in a similar situation, they're annoying, but you're fine.



I do have a tip though, I usually have like 20 questions printed out in front of me in case I blank out.
 
I've been in a similar situation, they're annoying, but you're fine.



I do have a tip though, I usually have like 20 questions printed out in front of me in case I blank out.
I already went through my entire list of questions, and the others I didn't ask were all covered by the extensive 1 hour pre-interview presentation. I was in a real brain freeze lol
 
Just finished interviewing at one of my top programs and feel like I dropped the ball hard. First 3 interviews with faculty all went well, last one with PD felt like a ****show.

Interviews were all 30-35 minutes, PD started asking me "What questions do you have for me?" with like 25 minutes to go. 5 minute warning came up and I literally COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO ASK, and I mean nothing. I asked at least 10 questions if not more beforehand.

So I replied with, your presentation was very thorough and I had all my questions answered, is there anything else you'd like to ask about me? And he's just straight up like nah I'm good. Then we just said thanks and ended it. Am I overthinking this or does it look extremely bad if I didn't use up all my allotted time with the PD? Damn this is gonna be haunting me until March.
Nah you’re good, congrats on doing well with the rest of them! With them being the last interviewer it’s not uncommon to run out of questions.

One thing that’s worked really well for me so far is that when the interview gets awkward or conversation starts to die down I always ask what brought them to the program, and what changes have been made, for better or worse, since they’ve been there. They really open up at that point and the conversation always picks back up.
 
Nah you’re good, congrats on doing well with the rest of them! With them being the last interviewer it’s not uncommon to run out of questions.

One thing that’s worked really well for me so far is that when the interview gets awkward or conversation starts to die down I always ask what brought them to the program, and what changes have been made, for better or worse, since they’ve been there. They really open up at that point and the conversation always picks back up.
I mean, I think most of us have tried this - it's on a list of questions to ask residency programs if you google - and it doesn't always work. LOL. as someone who is a chatty extrovert it kills me and sometimes i try to distract them by talking about something else lol but a lot of times when it doesnt work i just think to myself throw in the white towel lol
 
I mean, I think most of us have tried this - it's on a list of questions to ask residency programs if you google - and it doesn't always work. LOL. as someone who is a chatty extrovert it kills me and sometimes i try to distract them by talking about something else lol but a lot of times when it doesnt work i just think to myself throw in the white towel lol
Same. It has a lot to do w how much the interviewers have in common with you. I found some interviews we talked about random things that had nothing to do w the specialty or program. Some interviewers I just don’t know what else to say. It also depends on how detail their website and introduction session are. However, I fount any thing interview with an interviewer long than 20 mins is getting a bit too long.
 
If you’ve been offered first author on a new research project that’s pretty unique, is it appropriate to update programs about it you’re waitlisted at/hoping to hear from? Or is it only if you’ve actually published something? We won’t be done collecting data and ready to publish until late Spring so not really sure how to handle it
 
I mean, I think most of us have tried this - it's on a list of questions to ask residency programs if you google - and it doesn't always work. LOL. as someone who is a chatty extrovert it kills me and sometimes i try to distract them by talking about something else lol but a lot of times when it doesnt work i just think to myself throw in the white towel lol

Well my list of questions is just a bunch of random stuff about the program. But I don’t just ask about the area and stuff I just start asking them the same **** they throw at us; Why EM? Why this town? Do you enjoy being away from *insert hometown/ med school/ residency*, tell me about your research. It’s not failed yet, they always become chatty kathies.
 
Well my list of questions is just a bunch of random stuff about the program. But I don’t just ask about the area and stuff I just start asking them the same **** they throw at us; Why EM? Why this town? Do you enjoy being away from *insert hometown/ med school/ residency*, tell me about your research. It’s not failed yet, they always become chatty kathies.
I think you're underestimating us :shrug:. You might just be lucky and have a different personality type of interviewer lol
 
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If you’ve been offered first author on a new research project that’s pretty unique, is it appropriate to update programs about it you’re waitlisted at/hoping to hear from? Or is it only if you’ve actually published something? We won’t be done collecting data and ready to publish until late Spring so not really sure how to handle it
I think someone asked this on a spreadsheet and it was said only update them if it's accepted/published. Have you sent an LOI to this program? Have a mentor reach out!
 
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I already went through my entire list of questions, and the others I didn't ask were all covered by the extensive 1 hour pre-interview presentation. I was in a real brain freeze lol
If there is a pre-interview presentation, I always ask to expand upon a broad topic such as research support, mentorship, procedural exposure, etc. after giving my own little intro. So it goes something like: "In the pre-interview presentation, you went over mentorship available to residents. I think mentorship is extremely important for [insert reasons here]. Would you expand upon [insert aspect of mentorship]?"
 
If you’ve been offered first author on a new research project that’s pretty unique, is it appropriate to update programs about it you’re waitlisted at/hoping to hear from? Or is it only if you’ve actually published something? We won’t be done collecting data and ready to publish until late Spring so not really sure how to handle it
Heavens no. I get offered first author on projects all the time..... it’s how faculty enslave you and get their publication-dependent promotions. I’m just sad that you think it’s a privilege
 
If you’ve been offered first author on a new research project that’s pretty unique, is it appropriate to update programs about it you’re waitlisted at/hoping to hear from? Or is it only if you’ve actually published something? We won’t be done collecting data and ready to publish until late Spring so not really sure how to handle it
I'm with the majority - no, not worth an update if there's nothing they can look at yet. Now if you think you can collect enough data/ get your PI to sign off on a preprint being posted to BioarXiv, then yes you could send an update and include the link, but that also may not be feasible in terms of timing.

When I was applying to med school I had 2 papers I was writing that I was really excited about, but one kept being rejected (I know that doesn't sound good but I swear it's still probably the paper I'm proudest of) and the other wasn't ready to be submitted yet. I printed out the figures for both papers for my second interview, so that I could talk people through them and I really do think it helped them understand our findings and why the research was interesting/ important. If you have some tables/figures that it would be OK to screenshare if you're asked about your research during an interview, that might be one way to use the new project to your advantage even if it's not quite ready to be published.
 
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