do connections help?!??!?

[regulator2000]

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I've heard that connections help in getting interviews and stuff. I have an acquaintance that is a prog director at a large LA hospital that offers IM residency. Do u guys think that it will give me any leverage at her hospital? score in step 1 94/226, step 2 pending.
(ps-- i do feel guilty asking her, but hey, i REALLY want to stay in LA)

 

[Otto Octavius]

I would say that the right connections can be more important then your board scores or grades. There is no algorithm in the ranking criteria for residency prorams (other then broad ones used to screen applicants like score or school cut-offs that the secretaries often do based on program directors tell them to). It's mainly just a bunch of people who sit in a room and decide where to rank people off the top of their heads. If one of those people (eg a program director, who runs the meeting) is willing to speak up for you, your chances of being ranked highly are pretty good. It's not considered inappropriate to contact people you know and let them know that you are interested.

 

[regulator2000]

thanks octavirus. very helpful. i do hhave some friends that are in 1st and 2nd year of IM residencies. Could they help me out? to get an interview at least??

 

[Otto Octavius]

My program used to solicit input from current residents about interviewee's (something to keep in mind when you are going on the tour with the resident). A medical student also had me write an e-mail to our program director endorsing him too. I don't know how much it helps, but if they are willing to contact their program director on your behalf, it can't hurt. Just have them send their program director a note (which is better then telling the program director in person so that he/she will remember your name) saying that you are interested in the program and that you seem like a good guy to work with. Have them do it closer to interviewing time though so that their note doesn't get lost in the system.