Emailing programs

[docman85]

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So I know this year the Dean's letter was released earlier so I have a question regarding interview invites.

Is it too early to email programs that you have not received an invite from yet? Or should we wait until later in the year to do this? I have heard from a few residents that said an email to a program of interest could help some if you have not heard anything.

Thoughts?

 

[K31]

Per my advisor, it's not too early to start contacting programs. He recommended calling over emailing.

 

[winkleweizen]

Per my advisor, it's not too early to start contacting programs. He recommended calling over emailing.

The problem with calling is you can only usually talk to the residency coordinator, not the program director.

 

[MTFer]

Any ideas on how these emails should be phrased/written?

 

[SeekerOfTheTree]

Just to warn you I emailed some and got the generic response of we are reviewing your application.

 

[SeekerOfTheTree]

Calling might be better.

 

[MD2013]

I was instructed by my PD not to call, but to email. PD said that calling puts the residency coordinator on the spot and makes them uncomfortable. I emailed a few programs and got an interview offer the next day.

 

[SeekerOfTheTree]

I was instructed by my PD not to call, but to email. PD said that calling puts the residency coordinator on the spot and makes them uncomfortable. I emailed a few programs and got an interview offer the next day.

Damn I would love to know what you said in those emails. I got the old go to the back of the bus and we will let you know when your stop is here line.

 

[ndocy]

Is there a consensus on how to go about this? Email PD or coordinator? Or is calling best? Thanks!

 

[EPtoB]

Is there a consensus on how to go about this? Email PD or coordinator? Or is calling best? Thanks!

I tried to call the PC, hoping that they would feel more obligated to return a phone call than an e-mail. I left a message on Friday afternoon saying that I was interested in the program, had significant ties to the area, etc and would like to know the status of my application. I have yet to hear anything back, so I'm not sure I'm better off than if I had just e-mailed. Although I guess maybe talking to the PC as opposed to leaving a message might be better.

 

[justin8818]

I've emailed six different program coordinators. Got one personalized rejection the next day and have heard nothing but crickets from the others. I kind of regret not emailing the PDs instead, seems like that would have been more productive.

 

[winkleweizen]

I've emailed six different program coordinators. Got one personalized rejection the next day and have heard nothing but crickets from the others. I kind of regret not emailing the PDs instead, seems like that would have been more productive.

yeah, email the PDs and cc the PCs.

 

[justin8818]

Any suggestions on what to do now, since that was almost a week ago? Just wait? I feel silly emailing the same thing to the PD.

 

[EMquest3]

I emailed two programs in my home area, one of them was where I went to undergrad and haven't heard a peep. Not sure if there's anything left to do, those are the last two programs I was really hoping to hear from.

 

[DreamingTheLive]

Pretty hit and miss and really depends on the program. A smaller name or lesser known program is probably more receptive to an interest letter (Arkansas for example) vs. a bigger name-type program. I know of one program that reportedly gets 300+ interest letters (at least last year so probably more this year).

I've sent one this year. It was promptly followed by one of my two rejections. N = 1. Maybe I just suck at interest letters though lol.

 

[dav86]

I emailed four programs last year and got three interviews, one was off a waitlist and it was where I ended up matching. I don't think they hurt, thought I sent them out a little later in the season. I wouldn't send out many, but don't want to regret anything once this whole thing is over.

 

[Deuce Doc]

I emailed shamelessly last year and attribute some of my interviews directly to that contact. I think it helps to have something to say though: I am specifically interested in your program because of x, and I would be an asset to you because of y.

I wrestled with this question a lot and ultimately decided to send the email to whatever contact address they put on their website--PD if it was there, PC if that was the only one readily available. I have a hard time believing that it will be held against you to make additional contact, but certainly received my share of reply emails saying that they only look at ERAS applications, please piss off.

Let the boundless anecdotal evidence continue. Good luck.

 

[dally1025]

It doesn't hurt to email them at least once. I was going to email 2 programs expressing my interest this afternoon but they decided to email me a rejection letter first... Don't wait, just do it! Granted, I emailed a couple of programs a couple of weeks ago and it did absolutely nothing but you never know until you try.

 

[Asystole]

I called a few programs re: new board scores in and a new (2nd) SLOR from my most recent EM away. Seems to have been taken well mostly but one of my top choices seems to be holding out on downloading... even a few days later after almost all of the programs (even ones I didn't contact) have dl-ed the new info. So. Frustrating.