How do residencies reconcile disparate interview impressions?

[pedzboom]

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Might seem like a silly question, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that for maybe 4-5 of the programs in my top 8, I was absolutely on point in one of my two interviews but fairly average to mediocre in the other. I don't know how I managed to keep up this pattern - I just did - I think that I just tend to really click with certain people and I still need to get better at making a smooth conversation with those I don't naturally click with (and not looking so nervous when I know that its someone I just don't click with).

My question is, does anyone have any insight into how this is reconciled come rank? What if the PD interviews someone, and says "I loved this person, we need them in the program" and the other interviewer says "absolutely not, I didn't see that at all" - is it just a debate that gets resolved, or do the "scores" get averaged out?

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Might seem like a silly question, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that for maybe 4-5 of the programs in my top 8, I was absolutely on point in one of my two interviews but fairly average to mediocre in the other. I don't know how I managed to keep up this pattern - I just did - I think that I just tend to really click with certain people and I still need to get better at making a smooth conversation with those I don't naturally click with (and not looking so nervous when I know that its someone I just don't click with).

My question is, does anyone have any insight into how this is reconciled come rank? What if the PD interviews someone, and says "I loved this person, we need them in the program" and the other interviewer says "absolutely not, I didn't see that at all" - is it just a debate that gets resolved, or do the "scores" get averaged out?

Every place is different.

In the end, it doesn't matter. You got the interview. You'll be ranked where you're ranked. You make you rank list as you want without regard to where you think the program will rank you.

 

[Law2Doc]

Might seem like a silly question, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that for maybe 4-5 of the programs in my top 8, I was absolutely on point in one of my two interviews but fairly average to mediocre in the other. I don't know how I managed to keep up this pattern - I just did - I think that I just tend to really click with certain people and I still need to get better at making a smooth conversation with those I don't naturally click with (and not looking so nervous when I know that its someone I just don't click with).

My question is, does anyone have any insight into how this is reconciled come rank? What if the PD interviews someone, and says "I loved this person, we need them in the program" and the other interviewer says "absolutely not, I didn't see that at all" - is it just a debate that gets resolved, or do the "scores" get averaged out?

Places vary. At most places every interviewer will assign you a numerical score and you score total will be the starting point in ranking discussions. If the PD "loves" you that's going to make a big difference -- It's his show, he has veto power. If any interviewer actually says "absolutely not" however, you might not get ranked at all. And resident opinions can count too, I know plenty of people who dropped in the rank list because the residents didn't like them, while others moved up and matched because the residents thought they were a great fit. Bear in mind that most people don't have a great bead on how they are perceived, and so many people who feel they had a great interview didn't, and vice versa. So all you can do is do your best and things will sort out the way fate decides.

 

[typhoonegator]

As L2D mentioned, the scores tend to be a starting point. In reality, ranking meetings can see people go way up or way down the board relative to what their interview "scores" would suggest. Once you start comparing one individual with another, some of the things that went into these scores goes out the window.

"You gave applicant X all 5's for the interview. Does that mean you would prefer them to applicant Y in our program? You gave him a 3 in communication and mentioned they had annoyingly aggressive eye contact."

"Oh hell no. Applicant Y is way better than X, eye contact or no. Did you see all his publications? His medical school dean made him the Godfather of all her children. And she's not even Catholic! Who cares about his eye contact? Bump him up."

"Wait, now the Chair's daughter isn't ranked to match."

"Eh, she wasn't that good anyway. Too little eye contact."

Chutes and ladders, baby.

 

[organdonor]

The most important person's opinion matters more. Do you really think it is anything other than this? You can numerically score blah blah blah objective this objective that all you want but when the PD doesn't like you it doesn't matter how good of an impression you made with the intern.

Also

Don't worry about it all is said and done. At this point you will get ranked where you get ranked and worrying about it won't change that.

 

[Law2Doc]

The most important person's opinion matters more. Do you really think it is anything other than this? You can numerically score blah blah blah objective this objective that all you want but when the PD doesn't like you it doesn't matter how good of an impression you made with the intern.

Somewhat true. But PDs are rarely so vested in an applicant that they would feel strongly enough to override an attending who said " absolutely not", or if the residents collectively thought an applicant was not someone they wanted to work with. Or vice versa -- if everyone thought an applicant was amazing, the PD probably would just shrug and concede. My experience is that PDs defer heavily to the impressions made on his colleagues and charges -- these are the people who have to actually work with the new resident. The ability to veto or throw their weight around doesn't mean they'll frequently use it. I've seen as many people not ranked because the residents disliked them than ranked to match where only the PD liked them.

 

[j4pac]

As L2D mentioned, the scores tend to be a starting point. In reality, ranking meetings can see people go way up or way down the board relative to what their interview "scores" would suggest. Once you start comparing one individual with another, some of the things that went into these scores goes out the window.

"You gave applicant X all 5's for the interview. Does that mean you would prefer them to applicant Y in our program? You gave him a 3 in communication and mentioned they had annoyingly aggressive eye contact."

"Oh hell no. Applicant Y is way better than X, eye contact or no. Did you see all his publications? His medical school dean made him the Godfather of all her children. And she's not even Catholic! Who cares about his eye contact? Bump him up."

"Wait, now the Chair's daughter isn't ranked to match."

"Eh, she wasn't that good anyway. Too little eye contact."

Chutes and ladders, baby.

Thanks, I needed that on a long morning! LOL

 

[HooliganSnail]

Might seem like a silly question, but I can't seem to shake the feeling that for maybe 4-5 of the programs in my top 8, I was absolutely on point in one of my two interviews but fairly average to mediocre in the other. I don't know how I managed to keep up this pattern - I just did - I think that I just tend to really click with certain people and I still need to get better at making a smooth conversation with those I don't naturally click with (and not looking so nervous when I know that its someone I just don't click with).

My question is, does anyone have any insight into how this is reconciled come rank? What if the PD interviews someone, and says "I loved this person, we need them in the program" and the other interviewer says "absolutely not, I didn't see that at all" - is it just a debate that gets resolved, or do the "scores" get averaged out?

It is tough to not overthink yourself, but that is what you are doing.

Don't confuse having gotten along with somebody as having done well with the interview. Likewise, a lot of interviewers are not intending to be your friend or even be very friendly, that does not mean that you did badly either.

When I interview people, I am always very friendly, and when they answer questions very oddly or in a way that makes me concerned, I never let them know I think that. I laugh and make a joke.

I don't mean to say that you did worse than you think, only to point out that you can't necessarily gauge how bad or good based on how friendly the interviewer was. Some are just not that chummy, some have been up all night on call, some don't really even care about interviewing people, but they get dragged into it for one reason or another. Who knows man.

Truly you did fine, you really did. The match will fall where it will.