How many interviews to go on? (AProgramDirector, help!)

[JulianCrane]

I applied to 19 programs in OB/GYN and recently withdrew my application from 2 schools. How many programs is adequate to interview at? I have multiple interviews thus far, but do not want to spend anymore on travel and having to go through the hassle of travel. I think my application if strong. So, what is a good number to match at a top choice with?

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[BlackNDecker]

with 640+ posts on this forum, I'm sure you're well aware of "Charting Outcomes of the Match."

Answers this question and those you haven't even asked yet...

 

[mlw03]

the total number won't affect whether you match at a "top choice." if your top choice ranks you to match, or makes their way down to you, then the total number you have to do is 1. for programs you're less interested in you have to ask yourself, "am i so confidant that i'll match somewhere else that i'll take my chances and save my money by skipping this places?" if yes, cancel away and hope that you're right.

i sorta think of this in poker terms. by this point i'm "pot committed" to the Match, so to spend more money to ensure i don't have to scrample, it's worth the money to keep playing. if you're a hold 'em person this makes sense, if not then just make the best decision you can. you're better off seeking advice from a dean at your school or someone in ob-gyn who can evaluate your total application rather than any opinions you'll get here based on incomplete information.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The link to Charting Outcomes is here, in case you couldn't find it.

You want Chart OBG-1 on page 64 (it's page 69 of the PDF file, labeled page 64 at the bottom).

For US grads, even those ranking two programs did reasonably well. Those ranking 9+ programs did very well. Ranking 15+ seemed to be 100% predictive of a match, but I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

you need to make darn sure you are a strong applicant before you start cancelling interviews, etc. If a faculty member or some other type Dean person can confirm this, then you can start cancelling.


Why would you spend all of the time and money of medical school and get cheap at the end and risk not matching? Seems silly to me.

 

[mlw03]

you need to make darn sure you are a strong applicant before you start cancelling interviews, etc. If a faculty member or some other type Dean person can confirm this, then you can start cancelling.


Why would you spend all of the time and money of medical school and get cheap at the end and risk not matching? Seems silly to me.

exactly... like i said, pot committed for those who like the poker lingo.

 

[JulianCrane]

I believe my app is fine, and I have an idea of what my top choices are. I just don't want to waste a program's time.

 

[cali-ob]

Not to rain on your parade or make you panic or anything... but I would definitely agree with what others have said here, and talk to your dean. Or better yet, your school's Ob/gyn PD who can see your application and more realistically evaluate your competitiveness. There were many well qualified applicants last year who did not match in Ob/Gyn.....times are a changing again in this field! Many people (including deans and PDs) were surprised by last years match for Ob/Gyn.

good luck.

 

[mlw03]

I believe my app is fine, and I have an idea of what my top choices are. I just don't want to waste a program's time.

now is not the time to be benevolent. if you earned 20 interviews and want to go on all them, do it. as was stated, to not match after all this would really be tragic, so why risk it if you have the time and money to interview at lots of places? the NRMP data clearly shows the chances of failing to match are inversely proportional to the number of places one ranks.

for those places lower down on your list, unless you'd rather scramble than go there, might as well take the interview.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

exactly... like i said, pot committed for those who like the poker lingo.

Yes, I like your poker lingo. I wanted to make it very clear for those who might not be familiar with the game.