Contacting programs for interviews - proper etiquette

[bugsterizer83]

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If a program you applied to hasn't sent interview offer:

• When is the most appropriate time to contact them? (Mid October? Late November? Or does it matter?)
• Which contact method is most appropriate? (E-mail or call? or does it matter?)
  • Specifically, who do you contact? The program director him/herself or the residency coordinator?
• What do you say when you call or e-mail?

 

[gutonc]

If you haven't heard anything by mid-November, go ahead and call (ROFL) or email the PC and say "hey, I want an interview, can I have one?".

 

[smartparts]

I started in Nov and saved the PD/faculty calls etc for Dec/Jan. Sent an email to the programs I was really interested in to let them know and briefly gave a reason or two.

Dear [person],

Just wanted to express my continued interest in [program] for internal medicine. I've heard great things from my [PD/advisor/alumni faculty/etc] about your training program, especially regarding [ICU, clinic, whatever]. I'm interested in [sub-specialty] and noticed you guys had an incredible match last year.

Sincerely,
[OP]

 

[thierryhenry]

Don't call.
Email PD and PC, but have a reason why you're emailing.
Don't fish.

 

[Please_Stand_By]

" Dear PD,

Plzplzplplz can I has interview?"

 

[deleted392989]

Yeah... don't call the PD or PC. Email is appropriate.

 

[Raryn]

I'd disagree with most of the above.

If you don't get an interview in the next week or so, you can call the program coordinator of the programs you're very interested in. Just express an interest and ask for a general status update. I did it 4 years ago when I applied and got an extra 2-3 interviews that way. If you're a decent candidate but they don't have any reason to know that you're particularly interested in their program, they may be overall equivocal on inviting you, and a call may tip them over.

*shrug*. It worked for me to get interviews. I have no clue where those programs eventually ranked me (I matched somewhere I got an interview organically where I had very strong ties to the city) so it's entirely possible that those extra interviews didn't do me any good, but I was interested in the programs and it didn't hurt to express that.

 

[rokshana]

agree with raryn...i did the same thing and got an additional 2 (maybe 3) interviews out of calling...got 1-2 rejections too, but at least i was able to cross them off my list! 🙂