Couples match help

[lewis03]

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Right now, I am really interested in a program. I know this may change in the future with interviews coming up, as it has changed so many times up till now. However, based on their website and feedback on SDN, seems like it would be a good fit for me. So i was wondering how to go about convincing that program that:

a) even though I'm not from the area, i really want to go there.

b) I want my husband, who is applying to a different field, to match there too!

I think i probably am qualified base on step 1, but I guess you can never tell... and I have these other factors working against me. I don't believe they have sent out interview invites yet, but i'm scared that I won't get one based on regional proximity.


Thanks!

 

[fakin' the funk]

Right now, I am really interested in a program. I know this may change in the future with interviews coming up, as it has changed so many times up till now. However, based on their website and feedback on SDN, seems like it would be a good fit for me. So i was wondering how to go about convincing that program that:

a) even though I'm not from the area, i really want to go there.

b) I want my husband, who is applying to a different field, to match there too!

I think i probably am qualified base on step 1, but I guess you can never tell... and I have these other factors working against me. I don't believe they have sent out interview invites yet, but i'm scared that I won't get one based on regional proximity.

I take it you've already submitted your PS to them via ERAS. If so, there goes one opportunity: my #1 piece of advice would've been to customize a PS for that program specifically talking about why you'd fit in there.

But before we proceed, remember that it's still very early, most programs haven't sent out any interviews AFAIK, and you can def wait until some interviews go out before you start panicking.

Once the interviews start being offered: Depending on how competitive you and your husband are, you may be able to "extort" an interview. As in, if one of you gets an interview, both of you send nice emails to your respective PD's stating what's occurred, what the situation is, and how much you really really wanna go there. Basically, you want to gently prompt the PD's to talk. This only works if one of you is SO desirable (and the field the person's being pulled into isn't, say, plastics) that the PD who offered the interview HAS to have that person, and can then lean on the other PD to score the interview for the other person.

Unsolicited solo emails or calls to PDs may be successful, and I don't see how enthusiasm on your part would hurt your chances for an interview (unless you're somehow rude or annoying).

Hope that's a start. I couples matched so I can offer you some specific advice for anesthesia (and possibly specific programs) if you want to PM me. Good luck.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

I take it you've already submitted your PS to them via ERAS. If so, there goes one opportunity: my #1 piece of advice would've been to customize a PS for that program specifically talking about why you'd fit in there.

But before we proceed, remember that it's still very early, most programs haven't sent out any interviews AFAIK, and you can def wait until some interviews go out before you start panicking.

Once the interviews start being offered: Depending on how competitive you and your husband are, you may be able to "extort" an interview. As in, if one of you gets an interview, both of you send nice emails to your respective PD's stating what's occurred, what the situation is, and how much you really really wanna go there. Basically, you want to gently prompt the PD's to talk. This only works if one of you is SO desirable (and the field the person's being pulled into isn't, say, plastics) that the PD who offered the interview HAS to have that person, and can then lean on the other PD to score the interview for the other person.

Unsolicited solo emails or calls to PDs may be successful, and I don't see how enthusiasm on your part would hurt your chances for an interview (unless you're somehow rude or annoying).

Hope that's a start. I couples matched so I can offer you some specific advice for anesthesia (and possibly specific programs) if you want to PM me. Good luck.

I'm in the same boat, wifey applying to rads. We've been emailing the PDs as I've gotten interviews (to mixed success). It's problematic because apparently most radiology interviews seem to go out Oct/Nov, and anesthesia is approaching full swing. So far, I've just been scheduling interviews and hoping the radiology programs will be accommodating her with the same/similar dates.

The part I'm not looking forward to is having to email programs 3-4 weeks ahead of my interview date and be like, "uh, so my SO doesn't have an interview yet, and if she doesn't get one soon, there's not really any point in me even coming out and interviewing." I don't want to make it sound like an ultimatum (because it wouldn't be), but I'm also struggling with a way to word it so that it doesn't come across that way.

 

[lewis03]

I'm in the same boat, wifey applying to rads. We've been emailing the PDs as I've gotten interviews (to mixed success). It's problematic because apparently most radiology interviews seem to go out Oct/Nov, and anesthesia is approaching full swing. So far, I've just been scheduling interviews and hoping the radiology programs will be accommodating her with the same/similar dates.

The part I'm not looking forward to is having to email programs 3-4 weeks ahead of my interview date and be like, "uh, so my SO doesn't have an interview yet, and if she doesn't get one soon, there's not really any point in me even coming out and interviewing." I don't want to make it sound like an ultimatum (because it wouldn't be), but I'm also struggling with a way to word it so that it doesn't come across that way.

So she's already started contacting program directors??? That's interesting... How did you guys approach the e-mail? "my husband got an interview and I'm really interested in the program?" When you say varying success, what do you mean? Some nice e-mails back, some no response at all? I am basically in the same boat as you in terms of my husband not getting invited till way later.

 

[fakin' the funk]

It's problematic because apparently most radiology interviews seem to go out Oct/Nov, and anesthesia is approaching full swing. So far, I've just been scheduling interviews and hoping the radiology programs will be accommodating her with the same/similar dates.

Yep, you gotta let those apps age like a fine wine. I would totally totally not expect to coordinate travel for interviews or expect programs to accommodate same/similar dates unless they're already open/available.

The part I'm not looking forward to is having to email programs 3-4 weeks ahead of my interview date and be like, "uh, so my SO doesn't have an interview yet, and if she doesn't get one soon, there's not really any point in me even coming out and interviewing." I don't want to make it sound like an ultimatum (because it wouldn't be), but I'm also struggling with a way to word it so that it doesn't come across that way.

As long as you give AT MINIMUM 1 week cancellation it's OK. 2 or more is better. They understand that your interviewing is contingent on something else; if you're feeling like tipping your hand you can be extra-polite and let them know "I may need to cancel we are waiting to hear on her interview." But again, you don't want to have this conversation/mini-ultimatum in December or January, you want to have it in mid-late November when the radiology ball is rolling. Remember, programs want you too (well, unless you're f***-ugly)

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

if you're feeling like tipping your hand you can be extra-polite and let them know "I may need to cancel we are waiting to hear on her interview."

That's a good way of phrasing it, thanks.

Remember, programs want you too (well, unless you're f***-ugly)

And I knew there was a reason ERAS requires a photo....

 

[team ortho]

I'm in the same boat, wifey applying to rads. We've been emailing the PDs as I've gotten interviews (to mixed success). It's problematic because apparently most radiology interviews seem to go out Oct/Nov....

So just to clarify, have you and your wife been emailing PD's? I am in the exact situation, I am applying to ortho and won't hear for another month+ and my wife is applying to paeds and is racking up the interviews.

And to f/u on another question:

How did you guys approach the e-mail? "my husband got an interview and I'm really interested in the program?" When you say varying success, what do you mean? Some nice e-mails back, some no response at all? I am basically in the same boat as you in terms of my husband not getting invited till way later.

?


Thax

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

So just to clarify, have you and your wife been emailing PD's? I am in the exact situation, I am applying to ortho and won't hear for another month+ and my wife is applying to paeds and is racking up the interviews.

And to f/u on another question:
?


Thax

We did at first. I would just email saying something along the lines of "thanks for interviewing me, I'm honored and looking forward to it, my wife has applied also and we'd like to coordinate our travel arrangements if possible." Some people replied with a "can't really help you" while others said "we'll see what we can do."

I mean, ultimately we'll see how much pull/willingness to pull they have if I have to email them with my impending cancellation because my wife doesn't have an interview yet. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, though.