Getting more info

[rkaz]

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[Psychotic]

I'm having trouble deciding between my top two choices, who to rank 1 and who to rank 2. At one of the two programs, the chief resident has been wonderful about responding to my follow up questions. Her answers are a bit briefer than I'd like, but she has been very kind about replying. I've sent her about 3 to 4 emails, and she always has a response for me within 1 to 2 days.

At the other program, I've only sent 1 email to the chief resident with questions 2 weeks ago, and she didn't respond. The answers to the questions I asked will help me make my final decision, but now I don't know what to do. Should I write to her again, telling her that I know she is busy and if she can suggest me someone else to communicate with? Should I just write to the PC instead and ask if there is another resident I can talk to? The program coordinator at this program is super helpful, and she'd likely give me another resident's contact info. I don't want to rank this program number 2 just because of insufficient info. Thanks!

If it is that important to you, forward the questions to the PC and ask for help in finding someone who can respond.

 

[foodle]

I'm having trouble deciding between my top two choices, who to rank 1 and who to rank 2. At one of the two programs, the chief resident has been wonderful about responding to my follow up questions. Her answers are a bit briefer than I'd like, but she has been very kind about replying. I've sent her about 3 to 4 emails, and she always has a response for me within 1 to 2 days.

That's a lot of communications. I think you're running the risk of being a nuisance. If the information you're after is really hyper-critical to your decision making process, contact the PC or PD.

 

[rkaz]

I won't contact that resident further. She was the one who initially contacted me, asking if I had questions. I think I'm all questioned out with that program, but if I think of something else, maybe I'll email a different chief resident, instead of troubling the same person.

 

[Law2Doc]

That's a lot of communications. I think you're running the risk of being a nuisance. If the information you're after is really hyper-critical to your decision making process, contact the PC or PD.

That was my thought on first blush as well. One followup question/email is totally fine. Maybe two if it's really relevant. 3-4 just sounds like too many. You my be telegraphing that you are too high maintenance or need everything spelled out to you. The time to ask 99.9% of your questions was really on interview day (and/or at the preinterview dinner.) i suppose coming back for a second look could also have given you opportunities for additional questions that wouldn't come off as a flurry of emails, but it's Likely too late for that this year.

 

[rkaz]

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[Law2Doc]

I don't consider myself high maintenance at all, but I do agree that I tend to need things fairly spelled out (as compared to others, as I often ask people to clarify things). That's just a part of who I am, as I have always been like that since I can remember. Nonetheless, I don't think I have really been a nuisance to anyone.

This particular program was at the early part of my interviews, and at that time, I really wasn't sure what to ask or not. As I interviewed at more places, I became better at finding out certain features of programs that were more of interest to me that I wanted more info about. I didn't realize all of these things in the beginning.

If people want to write me off and judge me simply for asking questions (like many of you seem to be doing on this thread), that is their perogative. (And no, this isn't specifically directed at you L2D.) I'd rather these programs just write me off, so I can match instead with those who'd be a better fit. I consider myself a very decent person and a great team player, so if asking too many questions/clarifications is such a big turnoff... then I'm better off not matching at these programs. And I also find it sad that so many of you here are so darn judgmental.

Not being judgmental at all. I am just stating the reality that it's pretty rare To get more than one follow up email after interview day and so four would raise some eyebrows.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

Not being judgmental at all. I am just stating the reality that it's pretty rare o get more than one follow up question after interview day and so four would raise some eyebrows.

I hope you meant one email vs. four emails. I think it wouldn't be unexpected to get an email with, for example, 3 separate questions. Nor do I think applicants should shrink from putting a few questions post-interview. We are talking about the next 3-7+ years of someone's life, and given how much information programs have extracted form us (from the interview/interrogation, to the "showing interest" performance of peppering them with questions the answers to which we care not a whit, to our essay, USMLE, grades, LORs, etc.), I think it's the least they could do to help us make our decision. Not all programs have great websites, so addressing interviewee questions should be a priority for all programs.

 

[Law2Doc]

I hope you meant one email vs. four emails. I think it wouldn't be unexpected to get an email with, for example, 3 separate questions. Nor do I think applicants should shrink from putting a few questions post-interview. We are talking about the next 3-7+ years of someone's life, and given how much information programs have extracted form us (from the interview/interrogation, to the "showing interest" performance of peppering them with questions the answers to which we care not a whit, to our essay, USMLE, grades, LORs, etc.), I think it's the least they could do to help us make our decision. Not all programs have great websites, so addressing interviewee questions should be a priority for all programs.

Yes, I meant 4 separate emails, as OP indicated. I'm not saying asking a question of two after interview day is bad -- it's fine. Send a follow-up email. Maybe even two. But when the emails keep coming after that from the same one person, the recipient starts to wonder if this reflects on how this person might be to work with. I don't know -- four follow-up emails just sounded like too much to me.

 

[Psychotic]

Yes, I meant 4 separate emails, as OP indicated. I'm not saying asking a question of two after interview day is bad -- it's fine. Send a follow-up email. Maybe even two. But when the emails keep coming after that from the same one person, the recipient starts to wonder if this reflects on how this person might be to work with. I don't know -- four follow-up emails just sounded like too much to me.

There is a line that should not be crossed, and this is a pretty good stab at it (4 emails). I agree that you don't want to "be that guy" who comes across as high maintenance.

I emailed a total of 2 questions (one each to 2 different programs) after a dozen interviews. Neither response I got really answered my question, and I let it drop - I decided to not press for a fuller response, or to tack on added questions. Their uninformative or incomplete answers more or less told me something about the program, whether they intended to do that or not.

OTOH I had a nice back and forth conversation through SDN with a resident at a program who offered to answer questions (he posted the offer on a thread). I sent him about 5 questions that resulted in one or two follow up questions. This felt much different to me than asking questions of an interviewer I had actually met, and because of the anonymity I felt I could ask more penetrating questions, and to press for more details. I also felt the answers I got were more "real" than what I got from program contacts on interview day; those replies felt very official and were mostly not very informative although they were unintentionally revealing in their lack of frankness (my opinion).

If you have burning questions about a program that weigh heavily on how you would rank, especially if you are trying to separate #1 from #2, I suggest trying to find someone on SDN at the program who is willing to answer questions, or maybe going through a "friend of a friend" or some other avenue. But if this is about a program further down your rank list, I would probably just let it go.

Honestly, I think the standing offer from these programs for applicants to ask questions after the interview is a bit of lip service on their part, something they have to offer. I don't really think they want to engage in ad nauseam email conversations with applicants.

Ultimately, this is an imperfect process; applicants will never have perfect information about programs, and I am sure the programs feel the same about applicants.

 

[Law2Doc]

There is a line that should not be crossed, and this is a pretty good stab at it (4 emails). I agree that you don't want to "be that guy" who comes across as high maintenance.

I emailed a total of 2 questions (one each to 2 different programs) after a dozen interviews. Neither response I got really answered my question, and I let it drop - I decided to not press for a fuller response, or to tack on added questions. Their uninformative or incomplete answers more or less told me something about the program, whether they intended to do that or not.

OTOH I had a nice back and forth conversation through SDN with a resident at a program who offered to answer questions (he posted the offer on a thread). I sent him about 5 questions that resulted in one or two follow up questions. This felt much different to me than asking questions of an interviewer I had actually met, and because of the anonymity I felt I could ask more penetrating questions, and to press for more details. I also felt the answers I got were more "real" than what I got from program contacts on interview day; those replies felt very official and were mostly not very informative although they were unintentionally revealing in their lack of frankness (my opinion).

If you have burning questions about a program that weigh heavily on how you would rank, especially if you are trying to separate #1 from #2, I suggest trying to find someone on SDN at the program who is willing to answer questions, or maybe going through a "friend of a friend" or some other avenue. But if this is about a program further down your rank list, I would probably just let it go.

Honestly, I think the standing offer from these programs for applicants to ask questions after the interview is a bit of lip service on their part, something they have to offer. I don't really think they want to engage in ad nauseam email conversations with applicants.

Ultimately, this is an imperfect process; applicants will never have perfect information about programs, and I am sure the programs feel the same about applicants.

I think programs are generally sincere about their willingness to answer an email or two from an applicant. It's only beyond that that I am talking about. I mean, if the program was unclear about its call schedule or something in a handout you should feel free to inquire. Or if you missed something pertinent during interview day or forgot to ask something. But beyond that you should use your schools alumni or maybe SDN IMHO. Again, this is just my opinion. But I've been on both sides of the issue.