Help a friend get a position in your program?

[bigDinLV]

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So it is that time of year, people are applying for their residencies... The applications are in and sitting in the office. Normally everyone browses through them and collectively we pick who we want to interview. I was looking through the applications today and I came across a friends application. He graduated med school with me but was unable to get a job in our specialty. He scrambled into an intership year.

If I didn't know the guy I wouldn't have spent much time looking at his application. His board scores around the 40th and 20th percentiles on steps one and two, respectively. He didn't spend any time at our program either. We only have 3 positions that will be available for next year and plenty of well qualified medical students that have rotated though and would make great additions to our program.

This guy was a good friend through med school. We hung out quite a bit. Outside of work he drinks way too much and can be a little crazy and inappropriate at times. If the only problem was the bad board scores, I would tell our program director what a good guy he is and how we should give him a job. His scores are better than one guy that rotated through and everyone seems to like for our program. His outside issues make me hesitate to support him. I couldn't honestly tell my program director that I believe he will be a solid resident.

So what do I do?
-Tell the program director to at least give him an interview? Let him hold his own from there, if the other residents don't like him that would be the end of it and I would not push for them to rank him.

-Or don't say anything. Let him not get into our specialty again. Leaving him with some job he will have to scramble for again. I feel bad about doing this.

 

[reedman]

man its not your job to save your friend from his inadequacies. we all have to figure out where our aptitude is and just work with that.

What if he nails the interview and gets in? are you willing to watch him struggle all the way through a residency he probably shouldn't be in?

 

[McGillGrad]

I would only give my honest opinion if asked by the PD. There are some classmates that I would not trust with a cadaver.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I couldn't honestly tell my program director that I believe he will be a solid resident.

I think you answered your question already.

 

[lowbudget]

So what do I do?
-Tell the program director to at least give him an interview? Let him hold his own from there, if the other residents don't like him that would be the end of it and I would not push for them to rank him.

I say A. But, only if he asks you to. He may not need/want your help.

I would vouch for a good friend even if he had flaws so long as he was capable of proving his keep. I think about all the people who have supported my career even when I eff up. I'm forever loyal to them, and I step up my game knowing they're on my side.

In the big scheme of things, that's what friends do.

 

[bigDinLV]

I put a word in for the guy, he still didn't get an interview.. Oh well..

 

[error404]

That seems appropriate. I mean, you said yourself, you wouldn't have even looked at his application if you didn't know him.

I'm all about helping friends and family get where they want to go. I've got a ton of brothers, and helped friends into top ten law schools, business schools and med schools. But you can't get someone to a place they don't deserve. Their scores and their attitude needs to be appropriate.

If you're interested in helping someone get in, focus on helping them with their application, rather than trying to pull strings. Otherwise, remember that if they get in because of your help, and really can't handle it, it will reflect badly on you.