courtesy interviews?

[Nuriko]

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I am currently doing a rotation at a program that I have applied to. So far, the program did not give me any news, good or bad. However, when I called, I was told that rotating visiting students got automatic interviews and the change would be noted.

Im confused as to how I should feel about this. On one hand, I am happy to get whatever chance to interview that I can. On the other hand, if my away rotation is the only reason they are even giving me this chance, I wonder if they are actually taking me seriously as an applicant... I feel like its a hard call to make, and that I dont really know what to make of it. How is it with you guys?

 

[Colba55o]

I am currently doing a rotation at a program that I have applied to. So far, the program did not give me any news, good or bad. However, when I called, I was told that rotating visiting students got automatic interviews and the change would be noted.

Im confused as to how I should feel about this. On one hand, I am happy to get whatever chance to interview that I can. On the other hand, if my away rotation is the only reason they are even giving me this chance, I wonder if they are actually taking me seriously as an applicant... I feel like its a hard call to make, and that I dont really know what to make of it. How is it with you guys?

This is not uncommon. I have heard of many programs that do this. After all you did have to go through some screening process to be approved to do an away there didn't you?
If they werent taking you seriously as an applicant why would they waste time having you rotate there?

 

[coprolalia]

I feel like its a hard call to make, and that I dont really know what to make of it.

If you're a chick, start fake-baking now. Go to the interview in three-inch heels, a low-cut black blouse and one of them Victoria's Secret push up bras that makes your cleavage bust out over the top button (which should be buttoned but isn't). Put a lot of lip-liner and dark eyeliner on... generally wear enough make-up that a 5th Avenue hooker would be proud. Touch every male interviewer on the arm when they talk to you and laugh at whatever they say. Wear a tight skirt that's a size too small. Don't worry about the fact that you're a courtesy invite. If you do this (and you're reasonably attractive), you'll get a spot.

If you're a dude, however, you're f**ked. Might as well go to the interview after you've had three or four Bloody Mary's. Then, just head straight for the free lunch. That's what I'd do. Then again, that'd be knowing then what I know now...

-copro

 

[bigdan]

N-

Go into that interview with your chin held high. Remember that you have done a one-month long interview there already, by nature of your rotation. You might not have made the initial cutoffs for interviews (or maybe you would have), but you have shown a real interest in the program by actually going there, and you've (hopefully) actually shown them how good you are, instead of just talking about it during an interview. You are as "valid" an interview as anyone else, I suppose.

If it doesn't pan out like that, do what Coprolalia said.

dc

 

[jennyboo]

Treat the "courtesy" interview as a real one.

The residency program has very strong motivation to consider a candidate who spends a month with them IF IT'S SOMEONE THEY LIKE. Every residency has made hiring "mistakes," people who looked good on paper and interviewed well but turned out to be turds when they actually showed up for work. Hiring someone they know and already like is seen as the easiest way to avoid hiring a "mistake" they'll regret and struggle to either graduate them as soon as they can, or get rid of them (easier said than done).

Remember, hiring decisions are made with emotion ("I like this person") and justified by the facts afterward.

 

[Bertelman]

...I wonder if they are actually taking me seriously as an applicant... I feel like its a hard call to make, and that I dont really know what to make of it. How is it with you guys?

Does it matter? They'll extend an invitation, and you have an opportunity to accept the interview or decline. If you decline, they'll probably wonder what the deuce you were doing there for the last month. If you accept, you will be expected to treat the interview as a legitimate one, and be on your best behavior. Either way, you won't realistically know what they think of you until Match.

This is not uncommon. I have heard of many programs that do this. After all you did have to go through some screening process to be approved to do an away there didn't you?
If they werent taking you seriously as an applicant why would they waste time having you rotate there?

I wouldn't read too much into being "accepted" for an away rotation. I don't think too many schools treat this as seriously as they do their true interview invitations. All I needed to rotate at an away was a pulse and confirmation from my Dean's office I was in good academic standing.

In the end, I received an official "Thanks, but no thanks" letter through ERAS before I arrived for the away, quickly followed that day by the program apologizing that there was a mistake, and that I did indeed have an interview, to be scheduled while I was there. That tells me they saw my app, outright declined me, then offered the courtesy. Despite multiple attendings being impressed by my performance, including at least one letter written on my behalf to the PD, good relationships with the residents, and supportive words from the chief, I didn't match. In the end, I'm sure my numbers represented a red flag the size of S. Dakota.

I'm not trying to tell you to give up hope. I have no idea where you are, or what your app looks like. I'm just trying to say there is no way you can interpret anything from a courtesy interview, so don't even try. Feel good that you have a month there to prove yourself, and that you have one more interview you may not have otherwise gotten. Give it your best, and you may end up there.

 

[killerleaf]

you have spent a month at a program, you know the program, the program knows you. you have a distinct advantage to those that just show up with "sunday clothes and party manners" on their interview day.

Plus, it may also be a way for the program to interview a few more than would normally be possible. There are only so many spots for the formal days...again, it gives you a chance to shine!

 

[cchoukal]

I had a buddy that did an away at a big-name program out west and they declined even to courtesy interview him while he was there!

If you're going to use your one month's worth of familiarty with the program to improve your interview, I'd make sure to focus on expressing my interest in them. That is to say, they'll ask you why you want to come there, and your job is to be as genuinely interested as you possibly can be in their particular program and what they have to offer, and why they and you, together, make a good match. This probably requires that you go beyond just citing stuff they have printed on their website (cuz every joe-schmoe that interviews there has access to that).

And, again, Copro's seldom wrong about this sort of thing, so I'd re-read what he said right before your interview.

 

[gaspasser2004]

The program where I graduated (Hopkins) used to have a courtesy interview policy where all visiting student rotators were given an interview. This kind of worked like the electoral college does - usually everyone invited for an interview deserved it. Until... the most obnoxious medical student known to man came to my program for a month and proceeded to make a negative impression on everyone he/she encountered. Doing things like talking on his/her cell phone in the operating room calling other programs to schedule interviews. Or asking if he/she could have a "comfy" anesthesiologist chair to sit in too. This person is still talked about at Hopkins. We gave this person an interview because the policy had been described to him/her before his/her terrible performance. I don't know what the exact policy is now at Hopkins, but we sure learned our lesson with that one...

 

[Nuriko]

Thanks guys. You all bring up some very good points.

I guess my mentality was that they must not have thought very much of me based on my stats if interview invites had already been going out and I hadn't heard anything. When I spoke to the secretary on the phone, it almost made it seem as if getting an invite simply by virtue of doing a rotation there wasn't a huge deal, as anyone regardless of the strength of their application would get one.

That being said, I am certainly very happy to have such an opportunity and will not take it lightly.

 

[frank51]

The program where I graduated (Hopkins) used to have a courtesy interview policy where all visiting student rotators were given an interview. This kind of worked like the electoral college does - usually everyone invited for an interview deserved it. Until... the most obnoxious medical student known to man came to my program for a month and proceeded to make a negative impression on everyone he/she encountered. Doing things like talking on his/her cell phone in the operating room calling other programs to schedule interviews. Or asking if he/she could have a "comfy" anesthesiologist chair to sit in too. This person is still talked about at Hopkins. We gave this person an interview because the policy had been described to him/her before his/her terrible performance. I don't know what the exact policy is now at Hopkins, but we sure learned our lesson with that one...

Well now you basically have to apply to get a rotation there, they will need your transcripts, board scores, and recommendation letters, once they review your application, they will approve you for a rotation if you meet their requirements.