How are interviews going?

[path-hopeful]

---

Members don't see this ad.

How are everyone's interviews going? I've done three so far and thankfully I won't have another one for about a month. I have no problem being myself at interviews, which seems to be my biggest problem as I have a knack for saying stupid things. Then I go home and think about what I should have said but didn't, etc. I'm also relieved that I won't be flying again for awhile, no more being stuck sitting next to someone who has flatulence that smells worse than my last day at the coroner's, or stupid kids that their parents can't/won't control. On the bright side, who knew there were so many hotties applying for path this year? Anyway, I want to start analyzing the programs that I've already visited, what are some important things that I should think about?
Thanks for the input.🙂

 

[Vaderize]

What you're going through is natural, I did the same thing.

You always "monday morning quarterback" in your mind after an interview, it's human nature.

In my last interview, the PD asked if she could call my former PD from anesthesiology and one of my letter writers. She then told me later in the day she asks everybody that, just to see if they will give them permission.

This led to me wondering whether or not I should've told her my PD is hard to reach, being a cardiac anesthesiologist at the hospital. I meant the comment honestly, but it led to my wondering whether or not she thought I was stalling.

Also, she didn't ask me to look at slides, but asked the one IMG at the interview to do so.

Make of that what you will.

 

[Vaderize]

What you're going through is natural, I did the same thing.

You always "monday morning quarterback" in your mind after an interview, it's human nature.

In my last interview, the PD asked if she could call my former PD from anesthesiology and one of my letter writers. She then told me later in the day she asks everybody that, just to see if they will give them permission.

This led to me wondering whether or not I should've told her my PD is hard to reach, being a cardiac anesthesiologist at the hospital. I meant the comment honestly, but it led to my wondering whether or not she thought I was stalling.

Also, she didn't ask me to look at slides, but asked the one IMG at the interview to do so.

Make of that what you will.

😎

 

[deleted113029]

If you're not insane in the membrane, then you're okay! Seriously, if the interviewers are anything like myself, then they won't remember what you said but what you wore, smelled like, etc.

I am seriously under the impression that they truly want to see who they want to hire and not to scrutinize over every last detail about your unworthiness...they have your CV, letters, etc to figure that out.

So, just enjoy your INTERVIEWS! some people are very fortunate to have multiple interviews at good to excellent programs as I'm sure you do.

Now, grab some coffee as I am about to do. 🙂

 

[ilovemedicine]

Vaderize
How have your interviews been so far? I am a 2nd year medical student interested in Pathology and I saw that you interviewed at Allegheny General Hospital. I have family in the Pittsburgh area, but on my search of Allegheny General's pathology program on the internet I found little information. Could you tell me about it🙂

 

[Vaderize]

I was very impressed with Allegheny.

Their program was small, but had excellent surgical volume and very well structured didactics. The chair is a nationally-know cytopathologist who goes well out of his way to get his residents fellowships/jobs. The people are very nice and easygoing, and the overall atmosphere was non-threatening.

I would like to go back to the area for a second look at the program early next year, but it left an excellent impression.

Hope this helps 🙂

 

[path-hopeful]

I hope you're right Villin. I have spent way too much time and effort making the grades, doing the leadership activities, nailing the boards, etc etc to blow it all in one shot by mentioning happy hour a few too many times, or possibly too many daytime TV references. I hope my CV speaks for itself and they don't listen to what I say at all, especially if they're not fans of Tyra and Dr. Phil.

 

[deleted113029]

I hope you're right Villin. I have spent way too much time and effort making the grades, doing the leadership activities, nailing the boards, etc etc to blow it all in one shot by mentioning happy hour a few too many times, or possibly too many daytime TV references. I hope my CV speaks for itself and they don't listen to what I say at all, especially if they're not fans of Tyra and Dr. Phil.

If there were no immediate periods of silence from the interviewer after you said something, then by all means go to happy hour after the interview. 😀 (And besides, who doesn't drink in the medical profession?...I didn't start drinking occassionally until I went to med school. 🙂 ) I think people are taking these interviews all too seriously. Nothing can be known about you from 1/2 hour interviews...even psychotic tendencies. 😱 At one of my last interviews, I thought I did well (not spectacular...even had marginal interviews with a couple people) and just received an email from the PD expressing their marked interest in me and that they'll contact me in January! So, please put your worries aside.

 

[path-hopeful]

Hey Villin, congrats on your e-mail from the PD expressing interest in you (hopefully you mean program director and not police department). I haven't gotten any e-mails like that yet, but people have been really nice. Sometimes it seems like they are trying to impress me more than the other way around.

I have another question though... How much do the residents factor into the decision to rank a candidate highly? At most of the places that I've interviewed, we spend at least an hour with the residents and I can't help but think they are there to spy on us in a sense. That's the toughest part of the interview for me because you can't act like a total gunner but then again, you can't act like a goof off either. There's a delicate balance there for sure.

 

[deleted113029]

Hey Villin, congrats on your e-mail from the PD expressing interest in you (hopefully you mean program director and not police department). I haven't gotten any e-mails like that yet, but people have been really nice. Sometimes it seems like they are trying to impress me more than the other way around.

I have another question though... How much do the residents factor into the decision to rank a candidate highly? At most of the places that I've interviewed, we spend at least an hour with the residents and I can't help but think they are there to spy on us in a sense. That's the toughest part of the interview for me because you can't act like a total gunner but then again, you can't act like a goof off either. There's a delicate balance there for sure.

about the police department and thanks for the congrats.

The interaction with residents is the best part of the day. If you can't be you during that time, then maybe that's a sign that they may be a teensy weensy bit judgmental and stiff. This is where you need to understand what the program is like and that means asking questions they feel are irrelevant. (We all drive different cars don't we? And some make better choices than others...mostly because they did the research and asked QUESTIONS) If they feel this way, then take that into consideration when you start ranking your programs. (BUT, just remember it's only 3-4 years of our lives depending on your career goals,etc.) BUT, most residents are very nice and receptive to your inquiries.

I believe the best program for each of us is out there and everyone has their own idiosyncratic point system in ranking programs. Just be consistent and you'll be at your #1 (from comments about your CV, grades, etc...sound like you are in the pole position).

GOOD LUCK!

 

[ermonty]

Two interviews so far, five more to go. The interview days have been chill. The residents have been very candid about whats good and whats bad. If I've learned anything it's not to judge a program until you see it up close. The program I thought for sure would be my #1, is actually not as desirable as I thought it would be. Likewise, the program I thought would be a safe backup, was actually awesome, and has become my new #1 and will remain so unless another program I interview at can sway me. I'm already getting wornout from the driving to these things! Not really because of the drive/interview, but because everytime I go to a new place, I go out and party like it's 1999! Which is great, but im so worn out 😳 , guess I cant hang like I could in my younger days. 🙄

E-Mo

 

[sapience8x]

1 down, 9 to go! I wish that the program i interviewed at wasn't my first because I really liked it an i was so nervous that i keep second guessing everything. I think of ways that i could have said things better, etc.
good luck on your other interviews! I'll do summarie after i have a few under my belt.

 

[deleted113029]

4 more to go! Pretty soon I will have to get one of those open eyed glasses they sell at novelty stores. 😉

 

[sapience8x]

2 down- 6 to go! (I canceled 2 more)

 

[deleted113029]

Interviews completed:

UPenn
Iowa
Michigan
WashU
UCSF
Stanford
Hopkins

PM me if anyone wants to know what to expect, etc of the programs I interviewed at.

 

[sapience8x]

good grief villin- how many interviews per week have you been doing?

 

[deleted113029]

good grief villin- how many interviews per week have you been doing?

7 in 30 days. My goal is to complete at least 10 by the end of November...I want to enjoy Xmas! 🙂

 

[Testudo]

How was UPenn?

They haven't invited me but I am curious....

 

[sapience8x]

7 in 30 days. My goal is to complete at least 10 by the end of November...I want to enjoy Xmas! 🙂

wow! how many do you have total? I will have done 8 by christmas and decide to do the ones in fl in january. i thought that fl in january sounded simpley mah-velous!😀

 

[deleted113029]

How was UPenn?

They haven't invited me but I am curious....

It was ok.

wow! how many do you have total? I will have done 8 by christmas and decide to do the ones in fl in january. i thought that fl in january sounded simpley mah-velous!

12 total so far, but I don't think I will go to my last 2...not interested and fatigued (10,000 frequent flyer miles so far!)

 

[sapience8x]

OKay this may sound dumb. 2 interviews under my belt and i haven't dealt with this yet. what do you all do with your bags when you don't have a car to put them in and you check out of the hotel in the am and have to go to your interview and fly out after? 😕 right now i think that i am going to have to take them with me and stow them somewhere in the path dept. is this what you guys do?

 

[deleted113029]

OKay this may sound dumb. 2 interviews under my belt and i haven't dealt with this yet. what do you all do with your bags when you don't have a car to put them in and you check out of the hotel in the am and have to go to your interview and fly out after? 😕 right now i think that i am going to have to take them with me and stow them somewhere in the path dept. is this what you guys do?

I'm not gonna be an a$$. 🙂

Take the bags with you to the interview. What else can you do?

 

[EUA]

As for how to interact with the residents... I'm more put off when a candidate keeps his used-car-salesman gameface on even over lunch. BE YOURSELF.

 

[deleted113029]

As for how to interact with the residents... I'm more put off when a candidate keeps his used-car-salesman gameface on even over lunch. BE YOURSELF.

Then meet us without the suit and tie at a coffee shop, bar, etc. 😛

Seriously though, sorry you have to see those candidates in that light. BUT, at least you can advise the PD or chief residents as to the candidate's demeanor.

 

[anencephalic]

OKay this may sound dumb. 2 interviews under my belt and i haven't dealt with this yet. what do you all do with your bags when you don't have a car to put them in and you check out of the hotel in the am and have to go to your interview and fly out after? 😕 right now i think that i am going to have to take them with me and stow them somewhere in the path dept. is this what you guys do?

Haven't had to deal with this either, but several folks I've interviewed with have brought luggage on interview day and ended up stowing it in the program coordiantor's office...it didn't seem like it was a big deal or that it was at all unusual. I think they expect it!

 

[deschutes]

what do you all do with your bags when you don't have a car to put them in and you check out of the hotel in the am and have to go to your interview and fly out after? 😕 right now i think that i am going to have to take them with me and stow them somewhere in the path dept. is this what you guys do?

Yes - your options usually include the residents' room or the program coordinator's office, or wherever they have to stow you guyses' winter coats anyway. No biggie.

 

[deschutes]

As for how to interact with the residents... I'm more put off when a candidate keeps his used-car-salesman gameface on even over lunch. BE YOURSELF.

Well, the parallel of that is the situation where the residents are still keeping their used-car-salesmen gamefaces on even over lunch 🙂

I'm one of those people who believe that a program that isn't insecure knows its own strengths and weaknesses, and knows what needs work.

I would say things like "it's too bad there's only time to show interviewees this site - it's the dinkiest of all the sites" and inevitably another resident would try to gloss it over. I understand the fear of being tarred from the inside, but hell, so often candidates can tell for themselves.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

Had a great week interviewing at the Harvard programs. If anyone has any specific ?s PM me. I'll try and post general reviews later. Definitely more impressed after being there.

 

[magician]

I interviewed several places. After coming back I wrote thank-you emails to PDs in some programs and to PDs+faculty who interviewed me in some other programs. all PDs and most of faculty did not reply.

Is it normal? or is it becuase I did not perform well during my interview? any opinion is appreciated.

 

[djmd]

I interviewed several places. After coming back I wrote thank-you emails to PDs in some programs and to PDs+faculty who interviewed me in some other programs. all PDs and most of faculty did not reply.

Is it normal? or is it becuase I did not perform well during my interview? any opinion is appreciated.

Relax. Most people won't respond to those letters...

besides if they did.. then you would feel the need to write a letter thanking them for their letter...

 

[deleted113029]

I interviewed several places. After coming back I wrote thank-you emails to PDs in some programs and to PDs+faculty who interviewed me in some other programs. all PDs and most of faculty did not reply.

Is it normal? or is it becuase I did not perform well during my interview? any opinion is appreciated.

I dunno. I've received emails from 2 chairs and letters from 2 PDs out of 7 interviews to date. So...take what you want from this data.

 

[Cougarblue]

Glad to hear that interviews are going well. I've now completed four interviews: UVA, Iowa, Mayo, and Stanford. Interviews thus far have been very laid back. In fact, the most difficult moment of the interview season came at Stanford. I was scheduled for coffee with one of the first year residents, so I went and drank a Diet Pepsi. We had a good talk and then I was off to my second interview. The attending was having trouble with his computer so he said, "Let's go down to the cafeteria and get a drink." I tried to say that I wasn't particularly thirsty, but he was a very nice guy and insisted on buying. So this time I got a caffeine-free soda and attempted to sip it, but sure enough by the time he was showing me the blood bank my bladder was ready to explode😱 . I had to stop him in the middle of a sentence, and say, "Err, is there a restroom nearby, it's been a while." He was totally mellow about the whole thing, but I felt like an idiot😳 . Other than that interviews have been nice. I feel like the programs are spending most of their time selling themselves and trying to get to know me a bit. If anyone has any questions about the places I have been feel free to PM me, though don't be offended if it takes me a bit to get back with you. With running around from state to state I have been having a hard time getting my Student Doctor fix. Have a good one!😀

 

[EUA]

Well, the parallel of that is the situation where the residents are still keeping their used-car-salesmen gamefaces on even over lunch 🙂

I'm one of those people who believe that a program that isn't insecure knows its own strengths and weaknesses, and knows what needs work.

I would say things like "it's too bad there's only time to show interviewees this site - it's the dinkiest of all the sites" and inevitably another resident would try to gloss it over. I understand the fear of being tarred from the inside, but hell, so often candidates can tell for themselves.

Ha ha true about the lunchtime acting demonstration by the residents... I guess all of us at my program are, uh, candid enough to where that's not really an issue.

And if a candidate asked about meeting up with the residents after work without the suit and tie -- I'd be impressed!

 

[cytoborg]

Ha ha true about the lunchtime acting demonstration by the residents... I guess all of us at my program are, uh, candid enough to where that's not really an issue.

And if a candidate asked about meeting up with the residents after work without the suit and tie -- I'd be impressed!

Yeah we're pretty candid too, though it's funny hearing my fellow residents at the lunch table focus on/gloss over stuff that I don't...it seems you'll get as many opinions about a program as there are residents.

I really like it when the applicant is enthusiastic, has a sense of humor, and has some practical knowledge of what they're getting into - that's somebody I want next to me in the gross room.

 

[deleted113029]

No more left. Done. 😛

 

[EUA]

I really like it when the applicant is enthusiastic, has a sense of humor, and has some practical knowledge of what they're getting into - that's somebody I want next to me in the gross room.

Exactly.

 

[moodydoc]

Has anyone interviewed at Duke so far... if so how did you like the group interview?

 

[sapience8x]

Has anyone interviewed at Duke so far... if so how did you like the group interview?

GROUP INTERVIEW?!!!

how do these group interviews work? the mock schedule that i was sent say nothing of a group interview.

 

[deschutes]

And if a candidate asked about meeting up with the residents after work without the suit and tie -- I'd be impressed!

Did it happen? 🙂 It'd be difficult, I imagine, since a lot of candidates have a flight to catch and are due back on the wards the next day.

I'm doing my first lunch tomorrow, believe it or not. I've been off-site for so long, I'm looking forward to it. Now if only I don't forget to collect those darned receipts...

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Did it happen? 🙂 It'd be difficult, I imagine, since a lot of candidates have a flight to catch and are due back on the wards the next day.

Ha! Screw the wards...the applicants are fourth years.

a) grades during 4th year don't matter. missing one day won't cause one to fail the rotation
b) patient care can and will be done without the med students. med students are dispensible. sure, the life of the intern who has to write the notes will suck more...but that's not the problem of the 4th year med student with senioritis (a very well deserved senioritis).

Moral: Take off the tie. Go have a drink with the residents. Enjoy the interview trail. It's a great way to meet a variety of people and get to know a variety of programs!

 

[whispers]

bump.