dinner with the residents

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I have asked this question too. The recommendations that I have received is that it is best not to. In the time that I have spent with the residents, which of course in both occations were over lunch, was kinda like an extension of the interview process. It was definately more laid back than the interview itself, but I didn't feel that it was informal enough to have my spouse there. But ultimately it is up to you. I chose to play it safe.
 
I always brought my wife if there was a dinner with residents. Actually, I think it is rude if a program doesn't invite your spouse. After all, he/she will be moving to the area too. Is he/she just supposed to sit in the hotel in a strange city, often with no transportation?
 
I always brought my wife if there was a dinner with residents. Actually, I think it is rude if a program doesn't invite your spouse. After all, he/she will be moving to the area too. Is he/she just supposed to sit in the hotel in a strange city, often with no transportation?

That's what I thought. My husband with travel with me and I can't just tell him to go and find some place to eat or whatever while I have the dinner with the residents. After all, we will stay at the same hotel that they invited me for dinner. I don't know what to do.
 
Just ask whoever sent the dinner invitation. Their response should tell you something about the program, and you won't have to guess on whether it's appropriate.
 
I want to know which programs actually have time for residents to have dinners AND lunches with applicants.............wth, get to work!
 
not that i have a significant other at present, but if i did, i wouldn't bring her to a meet and greet dinner. that time is about me getting to know the residents and vice versa, and a SO would just get in the way of that. i'd either feel bad about having to ignore the SO, or would neglect the important task of mingling with residents. better to let the SO find something else to do on their own, tough as it may be. that's my two cents.
 
yes if i had a so and i brought them to interviews it would be so they could see the city, not learn about the program. just my .02
 
I want to know which programs actually have time for residents to have dinners AND lunches with applicants.............wth, get to work!

The only program who had an established dinner setup when I interviewed was UPenn. That was an optional thing too...you could take them up on that offer if you got into Philly early enough the day before the interview.

I've taken a interviewees out to dinner with other residents on few occasions but in those cases, I've known them personally or it was a cool person who did an away rotation here. But no formal mechanism here to take folks out to dinner.
 
When I was interviewing I had less formal night before dinners and more semi-casual functions with drinks and appetizers. I never attended one where my fiancee was not welcome to attend, and I would have considered it a negative had I been told that she were not welcome.

I felt that she was buying into the program just as I was (even if I were the one working there each day). I also felt that the night before had more of a social, convivial impetus than a business one. There is always the lunch on the interview day for discussion of the program and nuts and bolts stuff.

Plus, she was an extra set of eyes and ears that proved invaluable.
 
Im going to be honest, Ive been a TON of interviews for lots of different jobs (not just medical stuff but consulting too) and Im never a big fan of going out to dinner, drinks for 45 min?...yes, but for the most part so many pathologists are such dry personalities it really causes me pain to have to sit there for 2+ hours and listen to stories of how their daughter rebelled and now dances at a local strip club or how their son is a surf bum in Santa Monica.

Im not there to make friends.
 
we may not there to make friends, but it is important to find out if there are any personality red flags that pop up. if i were at a social event and 4 out of 6 residents i met were as*holes, that'd be a red flag. these are people we may be working with for the next 4 years, and i think it's important to at least be able to have a cordial, professional relationship with the people you're spending 50 hours a week with.
 
50 hours a week? I am going to work at least 80. Gotta submit 6 abstracts to USCAP. 🙂
 
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