how do programs show interest

[EMDude]

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so I have had a number of interviews where the program director or associate director specifically told me my application was very competitive, good letter, I would be a good fit etc but the 2 programs I liked the most did not. should I take it as a bad sign that I didn't get the impression that they were overly excited about my application? has anyone else had the experience at northwestern when they don't ask you anything but 'what questions do you have'?

thanks

 

[WilcoWorld]

Programs show interest by inviting you for an interview. Beyond that, I would try to not read too much into anything. Everything but the match list is empty (as in, non-binding) flattery.

 

[dmitrinyr]

To me interviewing for residency is like speed-dating... Your meeting is short (less than 20 minutes), both of you are smiling more than you should almost to the level of faking and telling the other person what they want to hear. Then in the end, both sides have no idea what the other person thought of them.

The previous poster is right in that I would not put too much thought and weight into what the PD or assistant PD tells you during the interview. I always assume what they tell me during the interview, they have told to dozens of people and so it's hard to know it's real value. Just rank based on where you think you want to go most and where you think you will fit in most. Good luck.

 

[Speed Racer]

My PD sent me a hallmark,

Dear Speed Racer,

Will you bee my new intern? And there was a bumble bee dressed as a doctor on the card.

Love,
Program Director

 

[tybalt]

My PD sent me a hallmark,

Dear Speed Racer,

Will you bee my new intern? And there was a bumble bee dressed as a doctor on the card.

Love,
Program Director

🙂

Well, I was sent a card that said:

Dear Tybalt,

Is The Match getting you down? Tits okay -- you have a home with us! (And there was a picture of a naked lady on the front)

Love,
PD

 

[Freakingzooming]

so I have had a number of interviews where the program director or associate director specifically told me my application was very competitive, good letter, I would be a good fit etc but the 2 programs I liked the most did not. should I take it as a bad sign that I didn't get the impression that they were overly excited about my application? has anyone else had the experience at northwestern when they don't ask you anything but 'what questions do you have'?

thanks

I have also wonder this but I agree with a lot of what people have said here. You can't let what they tell you sway you. There will be the nicest and meanest interviewers. But it is in their own nature to be telling you stuff like "I think you have a great application and will fit in here." to almost all of their interviewees who are somewhat competitive.

And then you get those lousy interviews where the guy has only stock standardizied questions that tell them little about you except how to rehearse the same answer over and over. I would mostly take heed to how the program director acts with you. And for me that is a big factor. How comfortable or enthusiastic I feel around them and if I could see myself working with them for 3 or 4 years. If they told me point blank they would love to have me there, I wouldn't change their ranking just maybe have it in the back of mind when i think of how many places to rank or interview at.

I have heard of this halo effect. Not really been with me and my poorly competitive application. But because some people are like superstars at their schools- with stellar board scores, grades, letters, research that when they go on these interviews, people gush and gush about how awesome they are. I might have the reverse halo- like a sorta dark cloud where they have to pick me apart.

 

[ShaolinMonk]

yes - definitely had that experience at northwestern, and i thought it was super lame. Awkaward, painful and a waste of my time. And, not to be totally weird, I have a very competitive app, so I know it wasn't just me.

Ask me what kind of tree I'd be, or my favorite color, or SOMETHING. But me making up questions about your program that we just spent 4 HOURS talking about is not helpful to anyone.

 

[quideam]

yes - definitely had that experience at northwestern, and i thought it was super lame. Awkaward, painful and a waste of my time. And, not to be totally weird, I have a very competitive app, so I know it wasn't just me.

Ask me what kind of tree I'd be, or my favorite color, or SOMETHING. But me making up questions about your program that we just spent 4 HOURS talking about is not helpful to anyone.

Actually, one program I interviewed me DID ask what tree I would be... 😱

Interviewer: So, what kind of tree would you be?
Me: Um... a maple tree
Interviewer: Why a maple tree?
Me: Um... no idea. I like maple trees?
Interviewer: Mmmhmm <makes notes on pad, mumbles something>

👎

 

[tybalt]

Actually, one program I interviewed me DID ask what tree I would be... 😱

Interviewer: So, what kind of tree would you be?
Me: Um... a maple tree
Interviewer: Why a maple tree?
Me: Um... no idea. I like maple trees?
Interviewer: Mmmhmm <makes notes on pad, mumbles something>

👎

I would have said Whomping Willow from Harry Potter! So that I could kick stupid interviewers butts for asking stupid questions!

 

[deuist]

Actually, one program I interviewed me DID ask what tree I would be...

Interviewer: So, what kind of tree would you be?
Me: Um... a maple tree
Interviewer: Why a maple tree?
Me: Um... no idea. I like maple trees?
Interviewer: Mmmhmm <makes notes on pad, mumbles something>

Kentucky, right?

 

[quideam]

Kentucky, right?

Nope... a program in NYC. Now that I think about it, I should have glanced around nervously, wrung my hands a bit, and mumbled something about not knowing any trees because I'm from Brooklyn 😀

 

[GoBuckeyes913]

Nope... a program in NYC. Now that I think about it, I should have glanced around nervously, wrung my hands a bit, and mumbled something about not knowing any trees because I'm from Brooklyn 😀

I don't know what's more wacky, the fact that a program asks what kind of tree you would be, or that more than one does it!

 

[jbar]

Nope... a program in NYC. Now that I think about it, I should have glanced around nervously, wrung my hands a bit, and mumbled something about not knowing any trees because I'm from Brooklyn 😀

I thought that there was a tree that grew there? (literary reference)

 

[quideam]

I thought that there was a tree that grew there? (literary reference)

Haha, LOVE it! 😍 One of my favorite books.

(Though, the joke is... yeah, a tree grew in brooklyn.... and got the hell out of there) 😉

 

[Hard24Get]

I would have said Whomping Willow from Harry Potter! So that I could kick stupid interviewers butts for asking stupid questions!

I love it!

Seriously, folks, this question is like asking how a guy shows interest, and it depends on the guy (though usually he will call or text or email to let you know or ask you out). I think it's best to look at programs like potentially shady members of the opposite sex - maybe they like, you, maybe they don't, and many will play games and act dumb. So don't take anything at face value and don't date someone you don't like just cause they seem to like you. Unfortunately all you can do is rank them like you like them and wait it out. Sorry, I know it sucks!!! I still have nightmares from last year

ok, so I don't still have nightmares from last year - the memory is already fading, but you know what I mean.

 

[Freakingzooming]

This is a question to all my fellow EM applicants:

I got a phone call from one of the programs I totally love. I missed the phone call and got their message just now. It was pretty much, we loved to have you here, if you have any questions or want to discuss the program, call me back at so so number.

Do I need to call them back? I was thinking of sending a thank you email for calling me but don't have their email address and it is not on their site. Right now I dont honestly have any questions that weren't answered already on my interview day so I don't really need to call. Should I wait till later? What is the proper protocol with calls from programs?

 

[had2piknowEM]

This is a question to all my fellow EM applicants:

I got a phone call from one of the programs I totally love. I missed the phone call and got their message just now. It was pretty much, we loved to have you here, if you have any questions or want to discuss the program, call me back at so so number.

Do I need to call them back? I was thinking of sending a thank you email for calling me but don't have their email address and it is not on their site. Right now I dont honestly have any questions that weren't answered already on my interview day so I don't really need to call. Should I wait till later? What is the proper protocol with calls from programs?

Oh no....not the dreaded phone call. J/k...seriously, if the program is that high on your list...call them back and let them know that you are returning their call, you appreciate them calling to address any questions, and that you are very much interested in their program. This is assuming that the call was from a PD and not just a courtesy call from the coordinator that all the interviewees get. Good luck and hope you end up where you want to be.