MD & DO co'21 Residency Panic thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
What would be a high rate of attrition/dismissal from residency? 20%?

A couple programs quoted have quoted 4-6% for interns, but I think that included prelims too, so about 1 out of 20. At some places it's going to be more.
 
Fellow ortho Bro.. How you doing interview # wise? Kinda curious to see how DO bros are doing.
Sup broseph, I’m currently looking to go on 10 interviews possibly 11 if I can get somethings to work out. Then I’m also on 2 waitlists that I’m convinced I’m not gonna get off of at this point unless some studs start getting interview fatigue lol

Hope all is going well! Can’t believe we’re in the final stretch!
 
I was told by a resident. Is 9% too high? I love that program
Don’t just look at the percentages because that can vary widely between how many residents are in the program overall, kinda like board pass rates. Look for patterns. If a place is consistently losing 1-2 residents a year then I am using that as a massive red flag.

I actually think some small level of attrition is ok, because some people really will just decide they picked the wrong specialty and then switch. But if it’s a consistent pattern then my take is if there is smoke there’s fire.
 
Don’t just look at the percentages because that can vary widely between how many residents are in the program overall, kinda like board pass rates. Look for patterns. If a place is consistently losing 1-2 residents a year then I am using that as a massive red flag.

I actually think some small level of attrition is ok, because some people really will just decide they picked the wrong specialty and then switch. But if it’s a consistent pattern then my take is if there is smoke there’s fire.
Like 2 max every two years out of like 20 residents some of which for medical reasons
 
The most I did in 1 day was: 1 interview and 2 resident meet and greets.

The most I did in 1 week was: 3 interviews and 3 resident meet and greets.
I did 5 interviews in one week w one meet and greet each. 2 days w 2 interviews each...definitely don’t rec the 2 interviews in a day
 
As an intern... i do recommend second looks for your top programs. My program is doing them to get to know our interviewees better and I thought they were helpful in getting to know them.
are these in person??? No one has offered an in person 2nd look (or virtual now that I think of it). Though at some places the residents were like "call/email if you're in town!"
 
I didn't hear about any 2nd looks either. I just bought a ring light too I'm READY to be witnessed again
I bought a ring light just for interview season! It gives me a massive headache because I have baseline photosensitivity and headache, but I think it really does make a difference and I'm glad I have it.
 
are these in person??? No one has offered an in person 2nd look (or virtual now that I think of it). Though at some places the residents were like "call/email if you're in town!"
No it was through zoom!

and the phrasing my program has been using was “second look” but i guess second look in the sense of meeting the residents informally. We talked and played some games with the applicants for 1.5 hours.
 
I am gearing up for interviews every single weekday this week. In retrospect wish I'd cancelled the Tuesday interview a month ago, but oh well, too late now. For those who've done this, how do you a) not lose your voice and b) continue to seem enthusiastic and engaged by the end of the week? Wish me luck!
 
5209951B-F655-45F9-A84D-B8535AD2A4E7.jpeg
 
I am gearing up for interviews every single weekday this week. In retrospect wish I'd cancelled the Tuesday interview a month ago, but oh well, too late now. For those who've done this, how do you a) not lose your voice and b) continue to seem enthusiastic and engaged by the end of the week? Wish me luck!
I did something similar this past week. I made sure to write down how I felt and all that jazz right after so it was fresh, but then I did something completely mindless for at least a few hours after to purge that out of my brain so that I could objectively evaluate the next one. It was mainly playing with my dogs and netflix... and a lot of eating.
 
Yo so like an interviewer thought they were not on camera but I could see them, and I saw things that I don't think they intended or wanted to be seen (nothing terrible, but absolutely hilarious). I'll leave it at that for anonymity's sake.
 
Y'all are so much braver than me, I'd love to cancel some but knowing people who had to SOAP, suffering through the interviews seems the lesser evil
I canceled my waitlists/trickles which is kinda what's happening now since there's a low chance of me matching there anyways since I'm already ranked so low on their list and I already had 15 programs I'd rank above them. And I'm not allowed to miss many days on rotation so i'm not dealing with it lol.
 
I canceled my waitlists/trickles which is kinda what's happening now since there's a low chance of me matching there anyways since I'm already ranked so low on their list and I already had 15 programs I'd rank above them. And I'm not allowed to miss many days on rotation so i'm not dealing with it lol.
It is a myth tho that if you get interview after being waitlisted then you won’t match there...as long you don’t bomb your interview...if it is a program you don’t want don’t bother...if it is one of your top 10 I would do the interview. Your chance of doing is low is still better than not doing the interview which is zero.
 
I know this isnt a thread for me and my problems... but i am spiraling into my shopping obsession thing. And like everyone i know now is expecting and im like YESSS GIFTS FOR YOU ALL FROM MEEEE
 
Any thoughts on sending a letter of intent to prelim programs? Or is this more of a thing for advanced/categorical programs?
I will be sending one to my desired TY, Ranking an Advanced program first though

This is amazing but I wish they would include exactly how to word it lol guess that is a lot to ask
All you really gotta say is “I’m ranking your program #1”
 
What is reasonable timeframe to cancel interview this year especially if I have to email program to cancel?
 
What is reasonable timeframe to cancel interview this year especially if I have to email program to cancel?
I usually kept it to 5-7 days, but these were in person. Virtual you maybe have a little more leeway but would still stick to like 5 daysish
 
What is reasonable timeframe to cancel interview this year especially if I have to email program to cancel?
Even if it’s a day or two out, it’s virtual this year. Somebody will take it. Like “oh no, the program I don’t want to interview at will be inconvenienced”. I’m sure they’d rather interview people who are interested.
 
Damn was at an interview day and everything looked to be going really well, and I was planning on ranking the place higher than expected. Then we had a Q+A with the residents and well, now I'm ranking it lower than expected. Just did not vibe at all. Kind of sucks.
 
Damn was at an interview day and everything looked to be going really well, and I was planning on ranking the place higher than expected. Then we had a Q+A with the residents and well, now I'm ranking it lower than expected. Just did not vibe at all. Kind of sucks.
welcome to the club
edit: don't listen to nickelback while you're mourning this 🙁 it will NOT make you feel better
 
Last edited by a moderator:
why is your school forcing you to complete 3rd year rotation now rather than cancelling it?
I wish I could tell you. 🙄 I am physically in pain. I even get treated like a third year who doesn't know how to write notes or use EMR.
 
Top