contacting programs

[tom_jones]

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For programs where other people have received interview offers and you have yet to hear from them, is it beneficial to call them?

And if so, what should you say?

 

[shahkg]

For programs where other people have received interview offers and you have yet to hear from them, is it beneficial to call them?

And if so, what should you say?

Good question, I was wondering that myself...anyone have any input? 😕

 

[Amy]

Just call and say you'd like to check on the status of your application. Most of them are very nice about looking you up and giving whatever information they have (your app was reviewed today, etc). It also doesn't hurt to ask if they let people know if they're not being considered.

 

[kinetic redux]

Anyone actually do this (call programs), or is this just a hypothetical? I have a ton of programs that have not rejected me but have not contacted me for interviews, either. Is that just their passive-aggressive way to tell me that I suck ass? Or are programs still in the process of handing out interviews? I don't want to call programs if I don't have to. This conversation would not be fun to have:

kinetic: Uh, hi ...I haven't heard from you yet -- is that because you're still deciding who to interview?
Secretary: Name?
kinetic: kinetic.
Secretary: Let me check ....kinetic ...kinetic .......
(Long pause.)
Secretary: (muffled giggles) Are you kidding? Is this a joke?
kinetic: Wha --?
Secretary: (to another secretary) Hey, get this application! Look how crappy this guy is and he wants to know if we'll interview him!! WAH HA HA!
kinetic: ...
Secretary: Oh, uh, what I mean is, your application is still under consideration.
kinetic: Thanks (bitch).

 

[kinetic]

Somebody better answer this before I make myself look like a ***** today.

 

[DadiyaMD]

Somebody better answer this before I make myself look like a ***** today.

Hey kinetic,
I called one of the programs that i hadn't heard from yet to tell them that i was interested. I left a message on the secretary's voicemail since she didn't pick up...and the next day i got an email saying i was currently on the waitlist for an interview.
I think at this point, most programs have given out all interview dates and that the people who haven't heard anything yet are probably on a waitlist to see if a slot opens up. This is my guess.

 

[bananaface]

It is pretty common for people to call programs and ask when decisions are being made and mailed. But, they generally won't tell you your actual admission status over the phone, since they don't want to hassle with veryfying your identity, or having people scream at the office secretaries.

Good Luck. 🙂

 

[kinetic]

Ugh, thanks, guys. I sorta figured that I was on the waitlist, but you know how it goes ...DENIAL! Here's what I wrote to a guy who asked why he hadn't heard from a lot of programs (in the IM forum):

I've thought about this circumstance (because I'm in it). Here's my conclusion. The answer lies in where the programs are in their interview schedule. In other words, if the programs have handed out all of their interviews, you're up the creek even if you apply to 500 new programs. I tend to think that most programs hand out interviews to their "first-tier applicants" before the Dean's Letter even goes out. Yes, yes, I know they say that places don't make up their minds until after Nov. 1, but we all know lots of people who got interviews before the Dean's Letter. After that ruckus has cooled off, the Dean's Letter goes out and they give out their "second-tier interviews" to a bunch of other people. At that point, a lot of people will have to turn down at least SOME interviews and they fill in the rest with their "third-tier interviews." I think they are in this last group right about now. I doubt that applying to a lot of places at this point would change anything.

Easy to give advice, hard to take it, eh? Well, I'm still gonna call a few programs today. I hate being on the waitlist. That's like, "you suck and we don't really want you here, but we need to fill our interviewee slots just in case we have to resort to the dregs (you) come Match day ... 😀 ." And you have to be like, "thank you!"

 

[kinetic]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I called one place and they hadn't downloaded my application because I had applied late! (I panicked when I hadn't gotten too many interviews and submitted 17 more programs on Nov. 8 or so!) They said it was a good thing I called because they'll download it and give it a look-see. AAAAAARRRGH!!! Time to get on the phone like a ******.

 

[kinetic]

Gak ...spoke too soon. Called five programs:

One printed out my application to look at.
One said I was rejected, but they hadn't had time to let me know (no joke).
One said they'd call me back.
One I got an answering machine.
One said I'd hear by the end of the day -- i.e., rejection, since I didn't even give them my name. That's a pool rejection letter if I ever heard it.

 

[kinetic]

New York Presbyterian Hospital (Presbyterian Program) is still reviewing all of its applications, if anyone wants to know. They said they'd get out all of their invites by the end of this week.

 

[kinetic]

MUTHA F***AAAA!

Another program which accidentally didn't send the application to review! ARGH!

 

[kinetic]

Couple of programs which rejected me back in September by ...not talking to me. Sweet. Best money I ever spent.

 

[kinetic]

Damn, this is like torturing yourself. Nothing like getting like 20000 rejections in under five minutes. Sweet. Lemme whip myself while I'm on the phone.

*whippity whip whip whip*

 

[Amy]

Sorry to hear about all the crap you've gone through today, kinetic. Someone today told me that he called a program he hadn't heard from yet, and they basically said, "When do you want to interview?" I guess they had a list of people they were only gonna interview if they called. I really need to find time (during business hrs) to get on the phone and call my remaining programs!

 

[kinetic]

Four places forgot to review my application. Of those, one of them reviewed it and extended an interview to me. One laughed at me. Two still are playing coy. Most of the places that hadn't gotten in touch with me had rejected me. Still, it's good to know. I recommend calling. I still have a few places to call tomorrow.

 

[Amy]

I called a bunch of places, too. Got a few rejections or "your chances are slim to none" comments. Still, it's good to know. Many places are still reviewing apps, so I'm holding on to the hope that I'll get a few more interviews. The thing that scares me most is the fact that more than one program told me "we got a lot more apps than usual this year." Looks like G surg is as competitive as ever! 😱

 

[jmattwilson]

I called a bunch of places, too. Got a few rejections or "your chances are slim to none" comments. Still, it's good to know. Many places are still reviewing apps, so I'm holding on to the hope that I'll get a few more interviews. The thing that scares me most is the fact that more than one program told me "we got a lot more apps than usual this year." Looks like G surg is as competitive as ever! 😱

Amy, how many interviews do you have?

 

[tasmanian]

yeah, same here - like openning a jar full of worms - too many have applied (FMGs with visa issue are desparate ?!) ...
btw, NY Presbuterian prog rejected me weeeks ago and what are they up to reviewing now is only known by themselves ... 😀

 

[kinetic]

Ah, well I guess that's just their way of telling me that I suck craptastically! I wouldn't doubt it. 😀 (You can tell I've been numbed to rejections by now. MWAH HA HA HA!!! You can't hurt me any more! )

 

[kinetic]

The best was one place (which shall remain nameless) which the secretary was like:

Her: Yes, kinetic, we are still reviewing applications and will be doing so for at least a few more weeks. There are still a few open spots left and so ...oh.
Me: Yes?
Her: Ah ...your scores are too low.
Me: Oh.
Her: Yeah.
Me: OK.
Her: Best of luck.
Me: Yep.
*click*

 

[Amy]

Amy, how many interviews do you have?

Seven. I want at least 10!

 

[jmattwilson]

Seven. I want at least 10!

Are you on a couple of wait lists? I spoke with one of my friends today and he said he had been waitlisted at 7 programs and 4 have given him offers after other people have cancelled. I hope you get 12 and a few more

 

[Amy]

Not sure how I would know if I'm on a "waitlist." I did call almost every program I hadn't heard from and most said they're still reviewing apps, so I guess if I haven't been rejected yet it means I'm on the "waitlist"...?

Thanks for the well wishes, jm. 😍

 

[ekydrd]

How's this for being told I'm on the waiting list...

"This is to inform you that after a review of your application, you have been approved to interview at Kern Medical Center. However, at this time, we have no interview dates available. Should a cancellation occur, we will contact you to set this up. We wish you great success in the upcoming match."

Cool. Guess I'd better start checking airline ticket prices. 🙄

 

[Amy]

How's this for being told I'm on the waiting list...

"This is to inform you that after a review of your application, you have been approved to interview at Kern Medical Center. However, at this time, we have no interview dates available. Should a cancellation occur, we will contact you to set this up. We wish you great success in the upcoming match."

Cool. Guess I'd better start checking airline ticket prices. 🙄

Maybe this is a very passive-aggressive way of rejecting you. 😛

(Hope you get an interview, anyway. 😉 )