for bored ongoers

[raspberry009]

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Just a random question. I'm bored and this question has been on my mind today...

A program from a very prestigious school (some would say the best in the country... but people can choose for themselves...) just contacted me a few days ago wanting an interview. I assumed that I was on the waiting list and they offer me a spot because another declined. haha... if I'm the last person on their list, why in the world would I want to drop 500 bucks to visit a program to be a backup person?? Anyway, the coordinator proceeded to tell me that I will be the last interview offer, however, I was by no means at the bottom of the list. They had offered interviews out of the first group of applications of which I wasn't a part of (and I applied on the first day ERAS opened). (I'm assuming this group are all the AOA folks...) However, the committee somehow stumbled across my application and as a result really wanted me to visit and were very impressed. She said that she would be willing to make and exception for me to visit a whenever I needed because of the late notice.

My thoughts...no possible way! I'm honored, and of course I scheduled an interview, but this story can't possibly be true... what is this "grouping" of applications? It's January already...what is the deal?

 

[mlw03]

i think all the prestige stuff can be thrown out the window. if yo're genuinely interested in the program, you may as well go if you have the money to do so. but if you're not interested and you have numerous programs you are happy with by this point, then i'd say, "i'm honored, but no thanks."

 

[raspberry009]

i completely agree with you. but may main query is can this be true? do faculty put people in "groups" before they even look at their info.

anyway just a question. i'm not really wanting advice over what to do. just is this info factual or not. but very good advice.

can PDs actually "lose" an application with the way ERAS is set up?

 

[Winged Scapula]

i completely agree with you. but may main query is can this be true? do faculty put people in "groups" before they even look at their info.

Sure....why not? ERAS allows programs to filter files by whatever descriptor they wish. Let's say they filter by Step 1 score (probably the most common factor) and they choose a cut off of 200.

Once they have downloaded all those apps, then the programs may further subdivide them into "let's interview everyone with a score above 230" or whatever. All the others that don't meet that criteria get invited later, on a wait list or hold for further review.

anyway just a question. i'm not really wanting advice over what to do. just is this info factual or not. but very good advice.

can PDs actually "lose" an application with the way ERAS is set up?

Sure...if they print out applications from students they are interested in, it may have gotten put into the wrong file, the wrong pile, etc. Perhaps they didn't download it (although you would know this). When you are dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of applications, misplacing one is not unexpected. Its scary it doesn't happen more (at least as far as we know).