Getting interviews

[Student DO c]

---

Members don't see this ad.

...

 

[mcl]

How do people with below average scores get interviews if programs are only taking a small percentage of their applicant pool. For instance if they are interviewing 80 out of 500 how does a below average applicant make the cut?

Less competitive applicants 1) apply broadly, 2) apply to less competitive programs, 3) schedule an elective rotation at a couple of places to show they aren't their score, 4) use any connection they have to at least get a spot on a wait list. Sometimes directly contacting a program to express interest can yield good results. Programs do tend to ask the best-on-paper applicants first--but those are also the people who get lots of interview invitations and will end up canceling interviews. As cancellations come in, programs become more open to applicants with lower scores but strong letters, or good research potential, or a solid performance in the one clerkship that counts for that specialty, etc.

 

[Sandman2]

Could not have said it better than the above. You have to play all your cards if you are coming from a less competitive background. It starts with applying broadly but can be augmented with doing away rotations, having mentors place phone calls on your behalf, and/or writing personalized letters of intent to the program directors.

Your question is very generic - depending on the specialty that you are applying to, you will have varying degrees of success with the above mentioned strategies. The more competitive the specialty, the less chance the above will work.

 

[The kitchen sink]

Could not have said it better than the above. You have to play all your cards if you are coming from a less competitive background. It starts with applying broadly but can be augmented with doing away rotations, having mentors place phone calls on your behalf, and/or writing personalized letters of intent to the program directors.

Your question is very generic - depending on the specialty that you are applying to, you will have varying degrees of success with the above mentioned strategies. The more competitive the specialty, the less chance the above will work.

Are these letters of intent to PDs better handwritten? Or email for convenience? Or typed and mailed (with your signature?)

 

[Sandman2]

Are these letters of intent to PDs better handwritten? Or email for convenience? Or typed and mailed (with your signature?)

I'm a med student in the application process myself so I don't know what PDs think is best. However, I've heard from many friends who've gone through the match process in the past few years that a well-written and persuasive email works just fine.

 

[Smurfette]

moving to ERAS

 

[foodle]

Are these letters of intent to PDs better handwritten? Or email for convenience? Or typed and mailed (with your signature?)

Best written in the blood of your vanquished foes.

You're seriously over thinking this.

 

[JediZero]

Best written in the blood of your vanquished foes.

You're seriously over thinking this.

But seriously, stab some gunners. Thins or the competition, and shows programs just how committed you are. #s***justgotreal.

 

[foodle]

But seriously, stab some gunners. Thins or the competition, and shows programs just how committed you are. #s***justgotreal.

Pfft. As if SDN isn't 90% filled with gunners or former gunners. 😀

 

[JediZero]

Pfft. As if SDN isn't 90% filled with gunners or former gunners. 😀

And the fewer of our backstabbing, anxiety-ridden selves or there, the better.