How many interviews should I have by now?

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mikeamark

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I applied to 21 Anesthesiology programs and have heard from 4 so far. Is this a good return at this point or should I start submitting applications to more programs?
 
I submitted on September 10th to 27 programs. That said, five are places that I have no delusions of getting an interview (MGH, JHU, BIDMC, BWH, and Penn). So for all practical purposes I applied to 22 programs. Two interviews and two rejections so far. Most people would probably agree that the two programs that offered me interviews are stronger than the two that rejected me, so this process is kind of random.

Not sure if that will make you feel any better.

That said, I'm very curious whether others are in a similar situation.
 
Thanks for the response. The few other people I have talked to have said that they have received around 3 interviews. Hopefully most programs still haven't given out most of their interview invites. I'm curious to know when the bulk of invites do go out.
 
mikeamark said:
I applied to 21 Anesthesiology programs and have heard from 4 so far. Is this a good return at this point or should I start submitting applications to more programs?
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Eleventy billion.

It's still a little early, apps have been up less than a month. Overall I think I had more invites in October than in September. If you get into mid-October and are hurting for invites, you could consider adding more programs, but by then it may or may not be too late.

21 is a pretty good number of programs assuming you're even an average candidate. Assuming they're not all super-competitive programs. You only need 4 more invites or so to have a strong chance to match.
 
Trajan said:
I submitted on September 10th to 27 programs. That said, five are places that I have no delusions of getting an interview (MGH, JHU, BIDMC, BWH, and Penn). So for all practical purposes I applied to 22 programs. Two interviews and two rejections so far. Most people would probably agree that the two programs that offered me interviews are stronger than the two that rejected me, so this process is kind of random.

Not sure if that will make you feel any better.

That said, I'm very curious whether others are in a similar situation.
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Which programs have sent out rejections already?
 
I applied to 21, got invites from 3 so far, no rejections. I applied to mostly top programs so a lot haven't given out interviews yet. One of my "safeties" has been giving out interviews for 2 weeks and they haven't given me one yet so there is a lot of randomness in the process, maybe even yield protection going on
 
I only got a few outright rejections, even though 12 or so programs just never offered me an interview. I think I only had 3 or 4 by the end of September and ended up with 15 interview offers.
 
Idiopathic said:
I only got a few outright rejections, even though 12 or so programs just never offered me an interview. I think I only had 3 or 4 by the end of September and ended up with 15 interview offers.
Click to expand...

Are the majority of these ppl receiving invites in Sept (seems like the same ppl keep popping up) because they may be stud applicants or is that more or less foreshadowing?

So far I have 2 transitional interviews and 1 anesthesia.
 
One of my mentors gave me advice about the process and it is not only about when you submitted the application but also how complete it is.

The earlier you have a complete application, the more likely you will get a full review of your application. For people who have gotten a good number of interviews thus far, they are either really strong applicants or average applicants with complete applications.

Hope this helps.
 
My LOR is still missing. So far 5 anesthesia and one prelim. Mostly CA and NY programs

I wonder when my file will complete 😡
 
Okay so applied to 30 anesthesia programs. As of Oct 8 I have only been offered interviews from 4 so far. Should I be worried and add more programs? I am average candidate (step 220s) from a US allopathic medical school. What do you guys think?
 
I think you're fine.

I'm wondering if we have some trolls posting in that thread! Some with ~20+ interviews?! :laugh:
 
Doctor4Life1769 said:
I think you're fine.

I'm wondering if we have some trolls posting in that thread! Some with ~20+ interviews?! :laugh:
Click to expand...

I think it's more of a case of a fool and his money are easily parted. There is no need to have that many interviews and I think it's fairly easily to tell how many programs to apply to based on your numbers and where you're applying. I need to figure out a way to rip off med students who will waste money on anything as long as it's medically related
 
Agree with the post above.
I don't see the point of going to 20+ interviews. I've 10 or 11 anesthesia interview already, and I will probably cancel a few.
 
I have 9 anesthesia, but only 2 prelim year which has me a little concerned. Plus, I'm still waiting on one LOR>
 
28 applications, 1 rejection, no invites. Missing one LOR, but others are good. US grad, good Step 1 & mostly clinical H/HP, but had to repeat one rotation and CS. Decent Step 2CK & 3. How worried should I be?
 
I have just over 20 Anesthesiology interviews (mostly categorical) so far and one official reject letter from an average program in the northeast. From all of my research this past year I read that you should "apply broadly" if you have a step 1 in the low 220's. I'm a D.O. student with average grades, great LOR's (no chair letter), and I took step 2 early and scored reasonably better than step 1. My app was complete on sept 1st including all my LOR's, board scores (including the PE practical exam) etc. BTW, if you are a D.O. student, I have had programs tell me that they were glad I took the USMLE (both steps) as it allows them to objectively compare me to the allopathic students.

I'm not a high roller with more $$$ than I know what to do with, but this isn't a time to scrimp and save. This match is going to determine where I'm going to be for the next 4-5 years as well as what I'm going to being doing for a career for the rest of my working years.

Due to costs and scheduling logistics, I can't attend at least 5 interviews. I plan on attending ~10-15 interviews total. Luckily I can drive to most of them and I have 4 interviews that are within a few hours drive of my house, so those interviews will be less than $50 each.

Best of luck everyone. I wouldn't get too worried, some programs don't send out invites until the deans letters are released. I have yet to figure out how and when programs decide who to send invitations. Seems fairly random.
 
Dear Applicant,

Thank you very much for your interest in Anesthesiology residency at XXXXXXXXXX. This year's applicant pool is truly one of
the best to date. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any further
interview positions at this time.

We will keep your application on file. If any interview dates become
available in the future an email notification will be sent.

I wish you the best of luck during the interview season and through the
matching process.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX XXXXXX

Program Director










If this person is really telling the truth, it sounds like this years candidates are even more competitive than last years. Are board scores and grades must be through the roof this year? Who knows....
 
I received the same email from that program.
Wondered if it meant rejection or waitlist. Probably the former.
 
kazuma said:
I have just over 20 Anesthesiology interviews (mostly categorical) so far and one official reject letter from an average program in the northeast. From all of my research this past year I read that you should "apply broadly" if you have a step 1 in the low 220's. I'm a D.O. student with average grades, great LOR's (no chair letter), and I took step 2 early and scored reasonably better than step 1. My app was complete on sept 1st including all my LOR's, board scores (including the PE practical exam) etc. BTW, if you are a D.O. student, I have had programs tell me that they were glad I took the USMLE (both steps) as it allows them to objectively compare me to the allopathic students.

I'm not a high roller with more $$$ than I know what to do with, but this isn't a time to scrimp and save. This match is going to determine where I'm going to be for the next 4-5 years as well as what I'm going to being doing for a career for the rest of my working years.

Due to costs and scheduling logistics, I can't attend at least 5 interviews. I plan on attending ~10-15 interviews total. Luckily I can drive to most of them and I have 4 interviews that are within a few hours drive of my house, so those interviews will be less than $50 each.

Best of luck everyone. I wouldn't get too worried, some programs don't send out invites until the deans letters are released. I have yet to figure out how and when programs decide who to send invitations. Seems fairly random.
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Congrats bro.
I'm taking Step 2 in the near future, hopefully I can start padding invites when the score releases a month later. I've got 3 so far, and 2 MD transitionals and 2 MD prelim spots ... hoping to attain at least 2-3 more before my (hopefully great) Step 2 score comes out. :xf:
 
Doctor4Life1769 said:
Congrats bro.
I'm taking Step 2 in the near future, hopefully I can start padding invites when the score releases a month later. I've got 3 so far, and 2 MD transitionals and 2 MD prelim spots ... hoping to attain at least 2-3 more before my (hopefully great) Step 2 score comes out. :xf:
Click to expand...

Thanks brother. I'm sure you are going to smoke step 2.👍 I know several people that also have ~20 interviews and everybody is going to start canceling some of their invites due to cost/logistics, so that will open up more spots.
 
I'm up to 5 (of 23) anesthesia and 5 (of 13) prelim now with no rejections. I'm still holding off on applying to more programs--hopefully I won't regret it!
 
IMG here. Applied to about 30 programs. Step 1 & 2 score above 240. Have only gotten 1 interview and 1 rejection so far (the same one that was mentioned above) How worried should I be? Do IMGs get interviews later... after US students have been considered? Any thoughts...
 
New to the forums here, but I thought I'd contribute:

22 Anesthesia apps sent - 4 interviews, 0 rejections (all in midwest/northeast)
12 Prelim apps sent - 2 interviews, 0 rejections (same areas)

Feeling a little inadequate after looking at that other "interview forum," but I think I'll be patient and wait it out, hope everyone is staying calm.
 
Application submitted 9/24. LORs, personal statement entered about a week or so ago. Now waiting only for MSPE. Interviews: 7 gas, 1 prelim. 3 gas interviews came in today.

2 questions - 1) What is the generally accepted timeframe for responding to invites? 2) I've heard that you shouldn't submit the same personal statement to anesthesia and prelim/TY programs, i.e. if your PS multiple anesthesia references. Is this what most of you did?
 
Commis said:
Application submitted 9/24. LORs, personal statement entered about a week or so ago. Now waiting only for MSPE. Interviews: 7 gas, 1 prelim. 3 gas interviews came in today.

2 questions - 1) What is the generally accepted timeframe for responding to invites? 2) I've heard that you shouldn't submit the same personal statement to anesthesia and prelim/TY programs, i.e. if your PS multiple anesthesia references. Is this what most of you did?
Click to expand...

I used the same PS for my prelims, no big deal.
 
Do programs fill up all their interview spots with one invite? Or do they send out invites throughout the season? Why are deadlines in Dec if all the interview spots are filled up before Oct? Sorry if these are stupid questions.
 
Le fou said:
Do programs fill up all their interview spots with one invite? Or do they send out invites throughout the season? Why are deadlines in Dec if all the interview spots are filled up before Oct? Sorry if these are stupid questions.
Click to expand...

It really depends on the program and the number of people they intend to invite. With some programs, they do fill up their spots with one invite. Sometimes they even invite more people than they have spots. In this case, if you receive an invite and fail to respond quickly, you may end up on the waitlist for interview. (This means you will only get an interview date if someone decides to cancel.)

The deadlines are the LATEST possible time that you can apply to the program and still have your application considered. However, if the program already filled all its interview slots you will ONLY get an interview if 1) someone cancels later in the season OR 2) you are so amazing that the PD feels he/she needs to invite you.
 
shaz8901 said:
Okay so applied to 30 anesthesia programs. As of Oct 8 I have only been offered interviews from 4 so far. Should I be worried and add more programs? I am average candidate (step 220s) from a US allopathic medical school. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Okay now as of 10/19 I have 6 Anes interviews and 4 prelim/TY interviews. I still feel panicky because my home institution hasn't given me an interview. I don't understand the logic because I have better stats then what the residents have. My question for my fellow anesthesia guys is how many interviews should I have to be on the quote on quote safe side to match somewhere. Anyone?
 
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I am feeling the heat as well for interviews...especially after reading the other anesthesia board. I applied with 240's step 1, submitted sept 9th, and have 12 of 29 programs applied to offer interviews. Many of these are top programs, and I am grateful for this, but have no interviews from the south or east coast. Has anyone written program coordinators or program directors emails or talked on the phone with anyone and had success obtaining interviews? Just wondering why these programs outside my region haven't offered anyone at my school interviews...
 
IVO2Monitor said:
I am feeling the heat as well for interviews...especially after reading the other anesthesia board. I applied with 240's step 1, submitted sept 9th, and have 12 of 29 programs applied to offer interviews. Many of these are top programs, and I am grateful for this, but have no interviews from the south or east coast. Has anyone written program coordinators or program directors emails or talked on the phone with anyone and had success obtaining interviews? Just wondering why these programs outside my region haven't offered anyone at my school interviews...
Click to expand...


I'm in the other boat. Only two programs in my entire region (Midwest) have offered me interviews, whereas I've received 7 from places on the coasts and South. Idk either.
 
Hi, I actually found this post interesting and could not resist replying. So anyways I have a bit of a sad story unfortunately. First off, I'm a US-IMG graduate of december 2008. I am currently ecfmg certified but I have one attempt on my step 2 CS exam. I was disheartened when i found out about my failure - I took the exam a month later and passed with ease. I have a step one score of 92 ( step 2 ck of 97 ) and have received only a single IM interview. I have applied to over 100 programs. I have about 20 rejections. I feel like the extra attempt on the CS has really impacted my application in a big way. Thank you for your thoughts. I have spent an arm and a leg financially, and am losing hope about matching this year.
 
shaz8901 said:
Okay now as of 10/19 I have 6 Anes interviews and 4 prelim/TY interviews. I still feel panicky because my home institution hasn't given me an interview. I don't understand the logic because I have better stats then what the residents have. My question for my fellow anesthesia guys is how many interviews should I have to be on the quote on quote safe side to match somewhere. Anyone?
Click to expand...


According to charting the outcomes of the match 2009 (go to nrmp.org), six contiguous ranks puts you at about 85% chance of matching.
 
Only 3 anesth. here, and 4 Transitionals, 2 prelim surg. ... getting really nervous. I have no sympathy for you guys with > 10 invites "feeling all panicky" ... 🙄
 
Question for anyone that knows. Lets say I have five I have interviews at programs with both categorical and advanced. When I rank them five categorical and 5 advanced does that mean I have 10 contiguous rankings or is it really just the same chances as five for the most part.
 
I would say that it is somewhere in the middle.

The reason is, you cannot think of them as completely separate programs. Because you are interviewing with one set of people for "two" spots, if you do not match in the categorical year, there was something that they saw which didn't put you in their absolute top tier. I feel this makes your chances of being in the second tier slightly less than at a completely different program.

Also, it depends on the number of spots in each section. UT-Houston has 10 first year spots, 12 additional advanced spots, where as Indiana University has 4 categorical spots, and 22 additional advanced spots - this skews the numbers and chances as well.
 
So I have gotten some more interviews and feeling less anxious (im actually going to be cancelling a few). However, no post November 1st invites from any programs yet 😡. Anyone else not heard back from anyplace after November 1st? Is it still early for post November 1st love? Also how many invites do you guys have now?
 
I used this forum pretty extensively and thought I would shed my own experience to possibly (?) help others:

US MD, Step 1 229, step 2 >260, CS: Pass, one publication, grades were all average

Anesthesia: 33 programs, 20 Invites including Columbia, Cornell, UChicago, Mayo. 2 rejections
TY: 11 programs, 4 invites (I didn't apply to prelims)

The interview well has dried up since the second to last week of October.
All applicants, including myself, will start canceling interviews soon, so programs will start handing out more interview invites (confirmed by my home PD)
 
So I have gotten some more interviews and feeling less anxious (im actually going to be cancelling a few). However, no post November 1st invites from any programs yet 😡. Anyone else not heard back from anyplace after November 1st? Is it still early for post November 1st love? Also how many invites do you guys have now?
Click to expand...

I will third this experience.

Applied to 27 programs, invites from 16 including WashU, Univ of Mich, Univ of Florida..., last one was mid-October.

With that said, I still plan to cancel a few that I have remaining, and there are only 2 programs I am interested in hearing from that I haven't, but did think there would be more response (either direction) post-Nov 1.
 
I know some people have already begun soliciting programs for their status. Any opinions on the pros/cons of doing that? I was personally going to wait until the end of the month especially since two of the programs I would like to hear from are "top tier."

Also, how do you solicit to a program? A letter to the PD or the Residency Coordinator?

Thx
 
I would send a letter to the coordinator, not the program director (just a personal opinion).

Let them know you are interested in their program, and inquire whether or not they are still extending interviews, and if so, is there any route you should be taking to secure one.
 
I am waiting on 17 programs for a response. I am getting kind of annoyed. If they want to reject me they should do so already. Don't take my money and say nothing.
 
shaz8901 said:
So I have gotten some more interviews and feeling less anxious (im actually going to be cancelling a few). However, no post November 1st invites from any programs yet 😡. Anyone else not heard back from anyplace after November 1st? Is it still early for post November 1st love? Also how many invites do you guys have now?
Click to expand...

I haven't heard from any more anesthesia since Nov. 1st, just gotten one more prelim IM interview. I've gotten 13 invites, cancelled two.
 
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