Do not meet the minimum application criteria but got IV anyway?

[alberrito]

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Hi I'm a FM applicant
Yesterday I found out that I have received an early IV from a program that requires a FM LoR, which I did not include in my application. Is it possible that they missed it? There's no way they really want me because I am an average applicant and I do not have contacts in the program. What should I do now? Call the PD to let him know or go to the IV anyway and hope they'll overlook it? I just don't want them to found out later and not rank me, which would mean I blew $300+ on transportation and hotel to attend an IV that did not matter.
Any input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

 

[woo]

Your obviously a sub-par applicant from what you say. I would probably just cancel ERAS if I were you and take a research year to better your application.

Kidding aside, your freaking out for no reason. Take your interview. They obviously saw something in your application and decided to offer you an invitation. Why would you worry about something that is out of your control. Your a FM applicant without a FM letter? (thats weird). But probably not a deal breaker, also how do you actually know what is required for a full application for that program. Things change, websites are outdated sometimes, you yourself said you don't know much about the program.

Worst case, schedule it late and cancel if you get other programs you like better (I can understand the $$$ thing, however $300+ dollars is a small price to pay when your losing out on a ~50K salary for the next year if you match). Bottom line, schedule your interview (if you want it).

 

[playingfrombehind]

Hi I'm a FM applicant
Yesterday I found out that I have received an early IV from a program that requires a FM LoR, which I did not include in my application. Is it possible that they missed it? There's no way they really want me because I am an average applicant and I do not have contacts in the program. What should I do now? Call the PD to let him know or go to the IV anyway and hope they'll overlook it? I just don't want them to found out later and not rank me, which would mean I blew $300+ on transportation and hotel to attend an IV that did not matter.
Any input would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

In the name of honesty you could raise that you actually don't have a FM letter when you call or e-mail to book your interview. That's entirely up to you. It is a possibility the program didn't even read your letters at all - maybe just looked at USMLE scores to decide if you deserved an interview.

For example at my school's IM program the interviewers read your letters the day before/ right before / during your interview. They use USMLE scores / audition rotations / other red flags to filter out who to give an itnerview to. So basically they don't put much emphasis on letters unless its someone they know.

My scores are very sub-par and I applied to some programs that stated they required "x" score for step 1. Even though I was nowhere close to that score still got several interviews. So I think their decision making is very fluid.

 

[alberrito]

Thanks guys, I will go to the IV and try to ace it!