Contacting PD/coordinator to show interest

[linacalicious]

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I saw a post recently while perusing that some people have contacted some programs in order to express interest and got some interviews because of it. I'm not the best applicant and I want to do everything I can to increase my chances. My question is when to contact the programs. I've noticed that some have already extended interview offers but have heard that many programs do not even look at ERAS until after ASTRO. The dilemma is that I don't want to contact them too early for fear that they'd forget about me when the time comes, but also don't want to contact too late. Any thoughts here?

Also, better to contact the PD or coordinator? And what about doing this same thing for out-of-region PY/TY's?

I've used this forum quite a bit and I appreciate the help and advice all have supplied. Best wishes to all applying.

 

[RadOncHopeful1]

@linacalicious

I would not recommend doing this if you are just emailing any program to try and receive extra interviews. If you truly have interest in a SPECIFIC program or two, for example due to your location or a legitimate connection like long-distance relationship etc, then by all means go ahead and do it. But it is disingenuous to email everyone with pseudo-interest. Rad-Onc is a small field and you do not want your name circulating between PD's as having "false connections" to the entire country.

I wish you all the best moving forward and good luck with the match.

 

[Ray D. Ayshun]

Yes, it's okay to contact pd, and prolly a good idea if you can make a meaningful argument re your interest. Don't do it because your nervous, or because you think you're a marginal candidate. Do it because there's something in your app that's changed or because there's some reason they might not think you're likely to attend an interview or rank them highly (geography for instance). I'd say do this now, if at all. Also, do for Ty years, as they are much more likely to screen out applicants based on geography. For them, it might be cool to email coordinator. I will add that I want through all this **** last year, and it worked out perfectly. Best thing to do is be patient and fight the urge to let everybody know how lucky they'd be to interview. I know it's not helpful to say, but you'll be fine. Probably....

 

[linacalicious]

@linacalicious

I would not recommend doing this if you are just emailing any program to try and receive extra interviews. If you truly have interest in a SPECIFIC program or two, for example due to your location or a legitimate connection like long-distance relationship etc, then by all means go ahead and do it. But it is disingenuous to email everyone with pseudo-interest. Rad-Onc is a small field and you do not want your name circulating between PD's as having "false connections" to the entire country.

I wish you all the best moving forward and good luck with the match.

I wasn't asking if I should write an email to every program with some hokey reason of why I want to be there, just to a select few as others have suggested.

Curious to hear from others regarding their experience doing this and the outcomes. Thanks.

 

[bob1988]

I was a pretty marginal candidate and I did email some programs to express my interest. And I was did get a couple interviews at programs I emailed and actually matched at one such program. So, it can work in your favor. Just make sure you have a specific interest and a solid reason to want to come to that program etc.

 

[thecarbonionangle]

Did it at a few programs last year with legitimate reason. No success. Don't count on it, but it can't hurt I guess.