MD & DO Co’22 ERAS Panic Thread

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Probably bc I only have 10 interviews rn not 20 like some of you so Im able to get away with not having back to back and not sure why anyone should be actually going on 20+ interviews theres really no need

There is if youre genuinely interested in hearing what the 20 programs have to say in order to best determine your rank list

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[MedScat]

Anyone have any clue what happened to the reddit mega thread? On my end I'm seeing that mods removed it?

 

[Coltuna]

Anyone have any clue what happened to the reddit mega thread? On my end I'm seeing that mods removed it?

oh wow that's what I'm seeing too. probably good for my mental health lol

 

[FrechToastFries]

Anyone have any clue what happened to the reddit mega thread? On my end I'm seeing that mods removed it?

They made a new one

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Probably bc I only have 10 interviews rn not 20 like some of you so Im able to get away with not having back to back and not sure why anyone should be actually going on 20+ interviews theres really no need

20 interviews, if you have them is very much considered an acceptable number to match in my speciality. Everyone I know is shooting between 20-25.

Surgical sub speciality. I wouldn’t say “there is no need” for prospective applicants searching the forums. Each specialty should look at charting outcomes and determine 90% (95% even better) match thresholds for contiguous ranks.

 

[Deecee2DO]

20 interviews, if you have them if very much considered an acceptable number to match in my speciality. Everyone I know is shooting between 20-25.

Surgical sub speciality. I wouldn’t say “there is no need” for prospective applicants searching the forums. Each specialty should look at chatting outcomes and determine 90% (95% even better) match thresholds for contiguous ranks.

I guess I should have said for IM

 

[Ganon]

I’m not even half way through my interviews and I’m already getting tired of sitting for hours, I can’t imagine doing 30 or 40 like the people last year

 

[Chelsea FC]

So do people not normally drink during meet and greets?

 

[Ganon]

So do people not normally drink during meet and greets?

I do.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

So do people not normally drink during meet and greets?

Just don’t drink so much that you can’t keep your composure.

 

[Chelsea FC]

Just don’t drink so much that you can’t keep your composure.

Nah I was legit having a nice sour just one. But everyone else was just sitting there. Made me feel kinda weird

 

[cybermed2424]

How many TY/prelim program invites should we shoot for? Is there a specific interview number where, say, 95% will match?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Nah I was legit having a nice sour just one. But everyone else was just sitting there. Made me feel kinda weird

Like they weren’t even drinking water or a soda?

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

So do people not normally drink during meet and greets?

my experiences so far have been:
1. I poured myself a glass of wine but no one else was visibly drinking so i didn't drink it until after the call
2. Other people were drinking things from cans that could have been beer or not beer, so i drank my wine but was self conscious
3. Residents made it clear they were drinking and we could too, but i had just gotten home from road trip and was too tired for alcohol. had a nice iced tea instead.

 

[Osteosaur]

Like they weren’t even drinking water or a soda?

I went to what was billed as a "casual resident social" and a good 3/4 of everyone was in button-down shirts or suits and on the edge of their seat. Honestly I hate these things.

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Does anyone know what makes a good or bad interviewer? Honestly in all these little 10-15 minute interviews I feel like I give, hopefully, thoughtful answers to the behavioral interview questions but it all feels so janky. Like I can't say I had a warm conversation with anyone. Just a handful of prepared questions and on my way. Is this the norm? How poorly do you need to perform not to match?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I went to what was billed as a "casual resident social" and a good 3/4 of everyone was in button-down shirts or suits and on the edge of their seat. Honestly I hate these things.

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Does anyone know what makes a good or bad interviewer? Honestly in all these little 10-15 minute interviews I feel like I give, hopefully, thoughtful answers to the behavioral interview questions but it all feels so janky. Like I can't say I had a warm conversation with anyone. Just a handful of prepared questions and on my way. Is this the norm? How poorly do you need to perform not to match?

Don't have an answer but just wanted to say I feel similarly. After most of my interviews I've felt like they've gone decently well, I had ok/good answers, conversation went relatively pleasantly. But then I'm like....but that was it. It wasn't anything out of this world or anything like that. So I have no idea how to feel afterwards. And the worst ones are where they just start the interview with, "so do you have any questions for me?" after giving an hour long presentation that answered any question I could have had about the program.

 

[Osteosaur]

Don't have an answer but just wanted to say I feel similarly. After most of my interviews I've felt like they've gone decently well, I had ok/good answers, conversation went relatively pleasantly. But then I'm like....but that was it. It wasn't anything out of this world or anything like that. So I have no idea how to feel afterwards. And the worst ones are where they just start the interview with, "so do you have any questions for me?" after giving an hour long presentation that answered any question I could have had about the program.

That is exactly it! Its nice. Its pleasant. I say what I need to say, but I am sure everyone else is great also?

I dont know how these people walk away from programs knowing "you are my number one!" or vica versa.

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

That is exactly it! Its nice. Its pleasant. I say what I need to say, but I am sure everyone else is great also?

I dont know how these people walk away from programs knowing "you are my number one!" or vica versa.

This is why I was saying in the other thread that I actually think auditions are important with virtual interviews. Idk how to stand out among hundreds of applicants for a few spots in a span of 20 min convos with a few residents and faculty. But with the programs I auditioned at theres a huge difference

 

[Ganon]

I went to what was billed as a "casual resident social" and a good 3/4 of everyone was in button-down shirts or suits and on the edge of their seat. Honestly I hate these things.

This has been every single one I've been on. Literally wearing the same things we wear during the interview minus the tie for the guys (including jackets half the time).

It's not a casual, relaxed thing when I'm wearing most of a suit and have lights on my face and nobody is drinking, y'all. It's more like being interrogated for a crime.

I will continue having my drink during them and acting chill, though. I am *not* going somewhere that I have to have a stick up my butt for 3 years

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

I went to what was billed as a "casual resident social" and a good 3/4 of everyone was in button-down shirts or suits and on the edge of their seat. Honestly I hate these things.

Gross, everyone at the ones I've been to has been pretty casual thankfully

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

This has been every single one I've been on. Literally wearing the same things we wear during the interview minus the tie for the guys (including jackets half the time).

It's not a casual, relaxed thing when I'm wearing most of a suit and have lights on my face and nobody is drinking, y'all. It's more like being interrogated for a crime.

I will continue having my drink during them and acting chill, though. I am *not* going somewhere that I have to have a stick up my butt for 3 years

Mine have been bad too. Ive started playing this game when they ask us about ourselves, where I try and see who can come up with the craziest way to show they have a tie to the area. The winner right now is a kid who said his grandfather traveled through the area the residency was located and would tell his grandkids about it and since then hes always wanted to live there. Like it was some legend being passed down through generations..

 

[Ganon]

The worst is every kid trying to ask a question that seems intelligent, but it's very obvious they are just speaking up for the sake of being memorable/seeming engaged/hearing themselves speak. If it's something you really wanna' know and can't Google, by all means, but it's obvious when people are speaking up for a "I spoke up too!" reason.

 

[MedScat]

This has been every single one I've been on. Literally wearing the same things we wear during the interview minus the tie for the guys (including jackets half the time).

It's not a casual, relaxed thing when I'm wearing most of a suit and have lights on my face and nobody is drinking, y'all. It's more like being interrogated for a crime.

I will continue having my drink during them and acting chill, though. I am *not* going somewhere that I have to have a stick up my butt for 3 years

Oops i wear a sweatshirt and pajama pants and finish at least two glasses of wine lmao

 

[Osteosaur]

The worst is every kid trying to ask a question that seems intelligent, but it's very obvious they are just speaking up for the sake of being memorable/seeming engaged/hearing themselves speak. If it's something you really wanna' know and can't Google, by all means, but it's obvious when people are speaking up for a "I spoke up too!" reason.

Only questions I really want to know are whether or not my quality of life will be good.

Meanwhile I turn to reddit and some M3 whose never held a job is complaining their classmates aren't "showing initiative" and creating scutwork for themselves to do.

 

[justcuriouser]

Do interviews still roll in during November or are we pretty much set with what we’ve got 🥺

 

[Captain_Falcon]

Only questions I really want to know are whether or not my quality of life will be good.

Meanwhile I turn to reddit and some M3 whose never held a job is complaining their classmates aren't "showing initiative" and creating scutwork for themselves to do.

I hate these people. The people I've rotated with have ranged from stellar straight-through students with no work history, to non-trad students with multiple gap years and work histories, and everything in between. On the whole, those students who didn't experience real work life scenarios are definitely the type to complain about things.

 

[Psych1912]

Do interviews still roll in during November or are we pretty much set with what we’ve got 🥺

Starting to feel like things are slowing down. Just looking at Thalamus and ERAS pretty much all interview slots are filled. I guess it depends on whether people drop appointments.

I hear conflicting things from everyone about all things related to this so I think a lot of it is very program/specialty specific. There is no way programs have actually reviewed all their applications in a month though.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I hate these people. The people I've rotated with have ranged from stellar straight-through students with no work history, to non-trad students with multiple gap years and work histories, and everything in between. On the whole, those students who didn't experience real work life scenarios are definitely the type to complain about things.

An attending had to ask me to run some paperwork to the pharmacy because the intranet was down. He apologized like 5 times. I was like bro I’m 37 and have had some really ****ty jobs. Running a piece of paper to the pharmacy is nothing.

 

[EMDoc22]

Well I'm now 2/4 on LOIs which is honestly better than I was expecting. So far no rejections in response (knock on wood), the other two have just ghosted me.

 

[calivianya]

Wait, what were the 60%ish match numbers you’re talking about?

The 2021 match data.

In a nutshell:
PGY1 IR: 43 spots, 221 applicants. MDs: 32/160 matched. DOs: 3/26 matched.
PGY2 IR: 121 spots, 257 applicants. MDs: 97/179 matched. DOs: 12/31 matched.
PGY1 DR: 122 spots, 989 applicants: MDs: 71/615 matched. DOs: 28/186 matched.
PGY2 DR: 986 spots, 1657 applicants. MDs: 670/958 matched. DOs: 143/233 matched.

Obviously the data is pretty dirty since the PGY 1 and 2 of both have the same people and honestly there are some people getting counted four times, not to mention some people were undoubtedly applying rads as a backup. But looking at the overall matched/applicants for the PGY2 pools since they're both bigger/more common, we have around 69% MDs/61% DOs for DR and 54% MDs/38% DOs for IR.

https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MRM-Results_and-Data_2021.pdf

 

[Chelsea FC]

Annoyed at residents coming on the spreadsheets giving feedback saying applicants should not ask about negatives about the program. And the meet and greets are just there to sell you on the program and won’t say anything that needs improving. This whole process is just so full of malarkey.

 

[calivianya]

The worst is every kid trying to ask a question that seems intelligent, but it's very obvious they are just speaking up for the sake of being memorable/seeming engaged/hearing themselves speak. If it's something you really wanna' know and can't Google, by all means, but it's obvious when people are speaking up for a "I spoke up too!" reason.

Legit just got out of a social a few minutes ago (yes, I was typing the above during the social) where everyone was like this. Dressed up, sitting on the edge of their seat, asking "smart" questions.

T-shirt and beer here, and when they finished circle jerking each other with statements like, "Playing off the last question, blah blah blah," "Similarly, blah blah blah blah," and "I'm so glad to hear that because (thing the resident was just talking about) is what I'm looking for in a program," I finally asked, "Not to ruin the serious vibe or anything, but how's the food?"

I'm gonna hold down the fort over here and ask the questions that really matter, kthnx. I learned everything I need to know because the program has much worse food benefits than the other IM backup I interviewed for on Monday, and I am not above making rank list decisions based on the food perks or lack thereof.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Annoyed at residents coming on the spreadsheets giving feedback saying applicants should not ask about negatives about the program. And the meet and greets are just there to sell you on the program and won’t say anything that needs improving. This whole process is just so full of malarkey.

Lol what. I ask those on almost every interview. I even ask the PDs about things they would change. What exactly is the point of this if we can't ask what we want to know.

 

[Chelsea FC]

Lol what. I ask those on almost every interview. I even ask the PDs about things they would change. What exactly is the point of this if we can't ask what we want to know.

apparently it signaling to the program that you are looking for negatives to rank it lower. Like what toxic Bs is this??

 

[Chelsea FC]

Legit just got out of a social a few minutes ago (yes, I was typing the above during the social) where everyone was like this. Dressed up, sitting on the edge of their seat, asking "smart" questions.

T-shirt and beer here, and when they finished circle jerking each other with statements like, "Playing off the last question, blah blah blah," "Similarly, blah blah blah blah," and "I'm so glad to hear that because (thing the resident was just talking about) is what I'm looking for in a program," I finally asked, "Not to ruin the serious vibe or anything, but how's the food?"

I'm gonna hold down the fort over here and ask the questions that really matter, kthnx. I learned everything I need to know because the program has much worse food benefits than the other IM backup I interviewed for on Monday, and I am not above making rank list decisions based on the food perks or lack thereof.

I was the only one in my social chilling with a nice IPA in my hand listening to other people in button ups after canned interview questions. While I’m asking about the dope beer gardens and outdoor activities to do in the area. I’m blessed with enough IV to be self-selected out by the stale boring programs

 

[ciestar]

Legit just got out of a social a few minutes ago (yes, I was typing the above during the social) where everyone was like this. Dressed up, sitting on the edge of their seat, asking "smart" questions.

T-shirt and beer here, and when they finished circle jerking each other with statements like, "Playing off the last question, blah blah blah," "Similarly, blah blah blah blah," and "I'm so glad to hear that because (thing the resident was just talking about) is what I'm looking for in a program," I finally asked, "Not to ruin the serious vibe or anything, but how's the food?"

I'm gonna hold down the fort over here and ask the questions that really matter, kthnx. I learned everything I need to know because the program has much worse food benefits than the other IM backup I interviewed for on Monday, and I am not above making rank list decisions based on the food perks or lack thereof.

Id much rather interact with someone like you during a social lol
When we host them, the whole point is to let loose and talk more candidly.

 

[redsox93]

Annoyed at residents coming on the spreadsheets giving feedback saying applicants should not ask about negatives about the program. And the meet and greets are just there to sell you on the program and won’t say anything that needs improving. This whole process is just so full of malarkey.

That doesn’t make any sense lol. I want people to ask me what the negatives, how else are you gonna find out

 

[Chelsea FC]

That doesn’t make any sense lol. I want people to ask me what the negatives, how else are you gonna find out

yeah Prelim/TY residents reporting back on the spreadsheets and reddit that we shouldn't. This is legit the question I ask at every program.

 

[redsox93]

yeah Prelim/TY residents reporting back on the spreadsheets and reddit that we shouldn't. This is legit the question I ask at every program.

Prelim/TY makes even less sense lol everyone knows you’re trying to find somewhere chill.

 

[Captain_Falcon]

apparently it signaling to the program that you are looking for negatives to rank it lower. Like what toxic Bs is this??

Are you able to name these programs where the residents are saying this?

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

I am not above making rank list decisions based on the food perks or lack thereof.

100% this, I have been asking about the food situation at every social. For the most part I’ve liked the residents and opportunities at every program but some are stingy with the food and that is no good

Please feed me, I will be a great and happy resident for you with a full tummy

 

[FrechToastFries]

Annoyed at residents coming on the spreadsheets giving feedback saying applicants should not ask about negatives about the program. And the meet and greets are just there to sell you on the program and won’t say anything that needs improving. This whole process is just so full of malarkey.

Which specialty?

 

[calivianya]

yeah Prelim/TY residents reporting back on the spreadsheets and reddit that we shouldn't. This is legit the question I ask at every program.

Me too. I have a different way of asking it but I ask the same thing, and I've been getting great answers from the PDs/interviewers. Most of them laugh first and compliment me on it being a great question. If I catch wind of this behavior related to somewhere I interviewed, it might just make me decide not to rank the program tbh.

If something's so bad people feel the need to hide it, or the program culture is such that all potential problems are swept under the rug and never mentioned again, those are some of the biggest red flags I can think of... next to the way the residents talked about women in the program at one of my auditions, but nobody's going to be dumb enough to do that on an online meeting I'd hope.

 

[Chelsea FC]

Also FYI to residents , I know covid sucks and was a difficult time but plz be careful how you talk about it. Like saying words cool etc when people literally had loved ones sittting in a truck for a morgue is never a good look. I know we are getting desensitized to the whole situation but over half a million loved ones got snatched from their families plz be mindful about that when talking about how they handled being redeployed during covid.

 

[Deecee2DO]

When do the bulk of IV drops start flowing? December?

 

[Deecee2DO]

Do interviews still roll in during November or are we pretty much set with what we’ve got 🥺

Seriously its a ghost town lol I mean it cant be over its like very early November but the spreadsheets look like December. Maybe its because less people are going on there because they have the majority of the invites they want so theyre less inclined to be bothered by the spreadsheets which is showing an underreporting?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

What is everyone's thoughts about being in a new program? Like, first class?

 

[Osteosaur]

What is everyone's thoughts about being in a new program? Like, first class?

Sound scary to me like you're doing in blind. Second or third class you can at least scope out, "How has administration responded to problems/resident requests?"

 

[Ganon]

What is everyone's thoughts about being in a new program? Like, first class?

My first thought is that I don’t want my one shot at training marred with growing pains

That said, you could probably finagle it into a super amazing experience if you have the tenacity!

 

[iforget2]

What is everyone's thoughts about being in a new program? Like, first class?

Way too many kinks to work out that I feel would take time on top of your already busy clinical hours. I interviewed at a program where I would be the 3rd class, and the PGY-2s who are the first class were continuously looking for their own preceptors as they went along. They played it off as "you can make residency however you want it", but to me it just means there's no set structure to the program. I wouldn't know what their board pass rates are, and I wouldn't know what fellowships residents have gone into.