How many interviews to attend??

[BlueJasper]

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I am guessing that the answer to this question depends largely on the competitiveness of the applicant. However, considering a strong candidate (235, AOA, etc..) are 7 interviews enough to match, even if they are at pretty competitive programs?

Thoughts? Please... it would be nice to taper down the list, considering all of those prelim/TY programs we need to attend as well.

🙂

 

[deleted50478]

I am guessing that the answer to this question depends largely on the competitiveness of the applicant. However, considering a strong candidate (235, AOA, etc..) are 7 interviews enough to match, even if they are at pretty competitive programs?

Thoughts? Please... it would be nice to taper down the list, considering all of those prelim/TY programs we need to attend as well.

🙂

You know the answer to this question.

1 is enough to match. You can go unmatched with 20. Roll the dice however you want.

 

[Southpaw]

I am guessing that the answer to this question depends largely on the competitiveness of the applicant. However, considering a strong candidate (235, AOA, etc..) are 7 interviews enough to match, even if they are at pretty competitive programs?

Thoughts? Please... it would be nice to taper down the list, considering all of those prelim/TY programs we need to attend as well.

🙂

I looked into my magic 8 ball and I'm seeing.....your top 6 won't rank you....no 7...no 6......yep 6! 7 interviews will do the trick for you!

Next?

 

[BlueJasper]

Come on guys..I wouldn't have posted the question if I either knew the answer or desired smart ass comments, although humor is appreciated every now and again...
I have heard from some that were going through this process last year that they wish they had gone on way fewer interviews, since most match into their top 3 or so anyway (right?)..I just wanted some solid advice on this..

 

[Southpaw]

Come on guys..I wouldn't have posted the question if I either knew the answer or desired smart ass comments, although humor is appreciated every now and again...
I have heard from some that were going through this process last year that they wish they had gone on way fewer interviews, since most match into their top 3 or so anyway (right?)..I just wanted some solid advice on this..

Really...you're a smart person it seems. Who better than those that just interviewed a year ago will give better advice on this internet forum?

FWIW, I plan to go on about 10-12 but I'd never to be so self-confident as to believe everyone will like me so I'm giving myself some leeway. Not trying to say you're are so self-confident, just giving you my opinion of my own situation. Good luck.

 

[huktonfonix]

of course people can say that AFTER they match. hindsight is 20/20. Interview as many as you feel comfortable with. If you interview at 8 top tier programs and feel comfortable with your chances, stop there. I would personally interview at a couple of "safety programs". Other than that this topic has been extensively covered and most of the advice is gonna be the same.

 

[deleted50478]

Alright, look up "Charting Outcomes in the Match" and you'll get you answer in more detail than anyone can answer on this forum.

The average odds are pretty good with 6 or more programs ranked, but people really do go unmatched with >10 programs ranked, not many but some.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

WAMC alert!

Seriously dude, 10 is a nice number that many people feel comfortable. Do whatever floats your boat and you feel ok with.

 

[Uegis]

I'm going to go on 16-18. Want to make this a one shot deal. My number one choice is my home institution. After that, I really don't have preference so going on a few more to see where I would like. To each his own.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

I'm going to go on 16-18. Want to make this a one shot deal. My number one choice is my home institution. After that, I really don't have preference so going on a few more to see where I would like. To each his own.

If your home institution is in the USA then I think that 16-18 is WAAY too high unless there are serious deficiencies on your application. I think that some folks plan on going on this many only to burn out soemwhat and cancel thsome later in the season. To each his own!

 

[coprolalia]

I went on 13 interviews, and that was about 6 too many. It starts to get real pricey after a while... 🙁

-copro

 

[Uegis]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I am actually consolidating my trips quite a bit and cutting back on the traveling expenses. I also have places to stay on some trips. 16-18 does seem a lot. I will probably cut back a few here and there. I'm just worried about prelims right now more than anything else. My only two rejections so far have been from prelims

 

[RxBoy]

I got 18 anesthesia interview and 8 TY interview offers. I clumped all my interviews together based on location, and just canceled the outliers.

My Itinerary:

l scheduled my 5 best TY interviews. They are all within 1 hour driving, so thats easy (already went to 4 of them, 1 left). Cost=Nothing (unless you count gas)

4 anesthesia IVs are within a hour driving from my place. Cost= Nothing

6 are in the NYC area so I am staying at my friends place (who also loves to party) in Manhattan for 10 days... a nice interviewcation. Cost= NYC plane ticket + Partying

4 are in same region within driving (Cleveland->Pitt->Baltimore->DC) so a nice little road trip vacation for another 7-9 days. I convinced one of my party friends to go as long as I party on the post-interview nights. Cost = half the cost of buget hotels (my friend is paying half) + gas money (which I said I'll pay for)+ Pre-drinks (which I also said I'll pay for) + Drinks for random bar girls (which whether I like it or not, I'll end up paying for)

1 during the same time I'll be doing their away rotation. Cost = Initial plane ticket + sublease month for rotation.

Took Dec and Jan off. Canceled all other outlying interviews (For example no sense buying a plane ticket to Jacksonville so that I can interview for 1 of the 4 spots).

Where did I get the money? Keybank travel and relocation loan. Screw it, I am already in lots of debt, might as well have fun. It literally takes 10 minutes to complete online. 6 days later, check in the mail.

My advice: Clump interviews together, make it a vacation, travel with a friend, party on nights you don't have interviews the next day, and pay for it using someone elses money (that is until you make enough to pay it back + the rape charge)

 

[Uegis]

I got 18 anesthesia interview and 8 TY interview offers. I clumped all my interviews together based on location, and just canceled the outliers.

My Itinerary:

l scheduled my 5 best TY interviews. They are all within 1 hour driving, so thats easy (already went to 4 of them, 1 left). Cost=Nothing (unless you count gas)

4 anesthesia IVs are within a hour driving from my place. Cost= Nothing

6 are in the NYC area so I am staying at my friends place (who also loves to party) in Manhattan for 10 days... a nice interviewcation. Cost= NYC plane ticket + Partying

4 are in same region within driving (Cleveland->Pitt->Baltimore->DC) so a nice little road trip vacation for another 7-9 days. I convinced one of my party friends to go as long as I party on the post-interview nights. Cost = half the cost of buget hotels (my friend is paying half) + gas money (which I said I'll pay for)+ Pre-drinks (which I also said I'll pay for) + Drinks for random bar girls (which whether I like it or not, I'll end up paying for)

1 in Miami (which I'll be rotating at during interview). Cost = Plane ticket + sublease month for rotation + Partying (which alone may end up costing more than the entire interview season lol)

Took Dec and Jan off. Canceled all other outlying interviews (For example no sense buying a plane ticket to Jacksonville so that I can interview for 1 of the 4 spots).

Where did I get the money? Keybank travel and relocation loan. Screw it, I am already in lots of debt, might as well have fun. It literally takes 10 minutes to complete online. 6 days later, check in the mail.

My advice: Clump interviews together, make it a vacation, travel with a friend, party on nights you don't have interviews the next day, and pay for it using someone elses money (that is until you make enough to pay it back + the rape charge)

Sorry for threadjacking, but how is the interest rate on that loan? Can you consolidate it with your other loans or is it strictly private?

 

[RxBoy]

Wow... I just went to their website: https://www.key.com/html/H-1.3.html?sqkl=h-1.33.b7.html

and read this:

KeyBank is no longer accepting applications for private education loans.
Completed applications received through October 31, 2008 will be processed. If you have questions regarding a previously submitted application, you may call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-KEY-LEND (1-800-539-5363), log on to KeyOnline® to look up your loan status, or review Frequently Asked Questions about loans in process.



It was a private with a rate in the 7 or 8, I can't remember. Not sure if you can consolidate but it can enter forbearance (no need to pay until after residency + interest accumulated). Looks like the economy caught up with Keybank.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I interviewed at 12, not out of concern for matching, but because I knew very little about 9 of them beyond the facts that they met my geographical needs and had good reputations.

 

[amyl]

i interviewed at 14 which was WAY too many....in hindsight because i matched at my number one. it was expensive! honestly though i dont know if i could have cut my list down before i saw some places.
7 should be enough for most people unless you have interview issues. i know people who did match lower on their list than 7 with fantastic numbers that i am sure, knowing them, had interview issues, very subtle interview issues...sometimes the real personality can slip through in an interview even if you try to sugar coat it.