You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
How many interviews?
Started by brodaiga
Given that the Dean's letters haven't come out yet, you shouldn't be worried. When I went through the Match in '08, I had applied to 35 programs and received 30 interview invites. I went on 16 interviews and ranked 10 programs. Had a successful match.
I wouldn't worry yet. I've actually received notification from a couple of programs that they don't invite until November.
I have 4 (applied to 31), but one is my home institution. A couple of my classmates have only received invites at our school so far.
I have 4 (applied to 31), but one is my home institution. A couple of my classmates have only received invites at our school so far.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I wouldn't worry yet. I've actually received notification from a couple of programs that they don't invite until November.
I have 4 (applied to 31), but one is my home institution. A couple of my classmates have only received invites at our school so far.
As others have mentioned, try not to worry (yeah, I know it's easier said than done). Many programs across the country abide by the rule to not invite applicants for interview prior to the dean's letter being available. Still some don't and so you will get a few interview invites during october and then hopefully they should flood in in the beginning of November. If you are a competitive applicant, you should get at least 8-10 interviews as long as you applied to a variety of top-tier, middle and low-tier programs.
I know, it's hard not to become OCD and anxiously check the ERAS site every day. Good luck guys.
Starting to wonder if I applied broadly enough. Actually considering adding more programs. 
Who came up with the rule that ER programs should await the deans letter? Why does it seem like a number of programs are inviting applicants for interviews (as per the Interview thread)? Yes, most are DOs but there are some MDs i.e Georgetown 😕

Who came up with the rule that ER programs should await the deans letter? Why does it seem like a number of programs are inviting applicants for interviews (as per the Interview thread)? Yes, most are DOs but there are some MDs i.e Georgetown 😕
I've got six MD interviews total
4 official offers + 1 for my home program (interviews all rotators) + 1 for my away rotation (haven't emailed yet, but told I would interview)
4 official offers + 1 for my home program (interviews all rotators) + 1 for my away rotation (haven't emailed yet, but told I would interview)
I applied to 32 and have received a big fat zero interviews so far, I don't plan on freaking out though until November 4th or so.
43 programs and 4 interviews (2 offers + home + away)
...which really sucks when my wife already has 10 anesthesia offers (including New Mexico- which is the dream)
...which really sucks when my wife already has 10 anesthesia offers (including New Mexico- which is the dream)
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
43 programs and 4 interviews (2 offers + home + away)
...which really sucks when my wife already has 10 anesthesia offers (including New Mexico- which is the dream)
Let New Mexico know. Even if you're not couples matching, it can't hurt.
We're definitely couples matching. We were planning on waiting to contact UNM- given that deans letters don't come out for a month, it seems a little gunner-esque to contact 'em now.
Applied: 31
Interview Invites: 2 (Not home; future away, and somewhat regional unrelated program)
All MD, mostly concentrated in NY, DC, Chicago, and then the West Coast (plus Denver/Utah). Not couples matching but have a SO with a fairly particular field of expertise. DC is the target so I can almost tell you my rank list now, pending interviews. If I were alllll alone I'd prolly aim for the West (mmm, snowboarding....) but I'm good at compromise. 😀
Also, as far as how many interviews you SHOULD do...
"In 2006 the Association of American Medical Colleges reported that every US applicant who had ranked at least 10 programs matched into EM (P. Jolly, Charting success in the NRMP main residency match, National Resident Matching Program and Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (2006))."
And regarding interview TIMING:
"Timing of residency interview has been shown to have no effect on rank list position (Martin-Lee, H. Park and D.T. Overton, Does interview date affect match list position in the emergency medicine national residency matching program match?, Acad Emerg Med 7 (2000), pp. 1022–1026.)"
And finally SCRAMBLE:
"In 2007, there were only six unfilled positions nationwide"
Interview Invites: 2 (Not home; future away, and somewhat regional unrelated program)
All MD, mostly concentrated in NY, DC, Chicago, and then the West Coast (plus Denver/Utah). Not couples matching but have a SO with a fairly particular field of expertise. DC is the target so I can almost tell you my rank list now, pending interviews. If I were alllll alone I'd prolly aim for the West (mmm, snowboarding....) but I'm good at compromise. 😀
Also, as far as how many interviews you SHOULD do...
"In 2006 the Association of American Medical Colleges reported that every US applicant who had ranked at least 10 programs matched into EM (P. Jolly, Charting success in the NRMP main residency match, National Resident Matching Program and Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (2006))."
And regarding interview TIMING:
"Timing of residency interview has been shown to have no effect on rank list position (Martin-Lee, H. Park and D.T. Overton, Does interview date affect match list position in the emergency medicine national residency matching program match?, Acad Emerg Med 7 (2000), pp. 1022–1026.)"
And finally SCRAMBLE:
"In 2007, there were only six unfilled positions nationwide"
Last edited:
"In 2006 the Association of American Medical Colleges reported that every US applicant who had ranked at least 10 programs matched into EM (P. Jolly, Charting success in the NRMP main residency match, National Resident Matching Program and Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (2006))."
The problem with little bit of data is that only applicants who were strong enough to get at least 10 interviews were able to rank 10 programs. That is, folks who were ranking fewer weren't necessary doing it by choice, as some like to assume.
This is true. But it's comforting IF you do manage to rank 10.
wow. im stressing out. i applied middle of sept, so i know its a little later, but it seems like everyone has like 5-6 interviews. including every other em applicant at my home school that likes to talk about their applications all the time
i applied to 33 programs, have a good step 1, but scored lower on step2, unfortunately i took it last year before my year off, so its on my application
i have 2 interviews, and one is from my home school.
i applied to 33 programs, have a good step 1, but scored lower on step2, unfortunately i took it last year before my year off, so its on my application
i have 2 interviews, and one is from my home school.
New to forum
FMG: have 3 invites so far, applied to 51...no SLORs or EM LORs yet, but getting some next week.
I was wondering, if a place has already sent out invites, are they likely to send out another batch of invites? Because I haven't heard any rejections yet from the places that have already invited. Thanks!
FMG: have 3 invites so far, applied to 51...no SLORs or EM LORs yet, but getting some next week.
I was wondering, if a place has already sent out invites, are they likely to send out another batch of invites? Because I haven't heard any rejections yet from the places that have already invited. Thanks!
New to forum
FMG: have 3 invites so far, applied to 51...no SLORs or EM LORs yet, but getting some next week.
I was wondering, if a place has already sent out invites, are they likely to send out another batch of invites? Because I haven't heard any rejections yet from the places that have already invited. Thanks!
It's my understanding that a majority of programs (especially those that send out interview offers early in the game) send out multiple batches of invites. That being said, I've received one email from a program informing me that they wait until the Dean's Letter, then send out only 1 batch of interviews.
Still plenty of time for interviews...hell, it's only October 8th.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I decided late to do EM and have two interviews so far. I have no SLOR's in yet, hopefully by the end of next week Ill have atleast 1. I also applied to about 30 programs all over the country, trying not to worry about the late switch killing my otherwise decent application.
As others have said, it is early, waaay early. For evidence, take a look at last years interview thread, which was on page 4 out of 16 on October 7. So relax, roundabout 12 more pages comin up 🙂
I decided late to do EM and have two interviews so far. I have no SLOR's in yet, hopefully by the end of next week Ill have atleast 1. I also applied to about 30 programs all over the country, trying not to worry about the late switch killing my otherwise decent application.
I decided late too. Just sent in my applications yesterday. I'm in the middle of my EM rotation and won't get any SLORs till the rotation is over. (Oct 25)
Obviously I don't have any interviews yet, but I figure since not a huge amount of invites have gone out so far, I'm not that far behind in the game.
I am concerned that I haven't applied broadly enough. Most of my applications have been sent to the programs with the best reputation. I don't have anything against applying to less competitive programs, but there are just so many residencies, how in the world do I pick amongst them?
My step scores and grades are strong, but I don't have any research or many volunteer experiences on my app.
I only applied to 10 programs - one interview so far at my home institution but just got my transcripts in today and am waiting on two LORs.
Should I apply to more? It seems expensive, especially as I won't be a better applicant for the programs where I do interview if I decide to apply more broadly in order to get 10 programs on my rank list.
I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, though.
Should I apply to more? It seems expensive, especially as I won't be a better applicant for the programs where I do interview if I decide to apply more broadly in order to get 10 programs on my rank list.
I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, though.
New to forum
FMG: have 3 invites so far, applied to 51...no SLORs or EM LORs yet, but getting some next week.
I was wondering, if a place has already sent out invites, are they likely to send out another batch of invites? Because I haven't heard any rejections yet from the places that have already invited. Thanks!
I can only comment on this one as I'm also an FMG and i applied very widely (except california, big academic, competitive programs, and 2-4 programs) to over 100 programs to receive 14 interviews. My stats were all average. i don't know about ur stats but it would be wise to throw in some more programs, especially the new ones that will be available on ERAS. eras season will be tough on the FMG applying to EM.
I only applied to 10 programs - one interview so far at my home institution but just got my transcripts in today and am waiting on two LORs.
Should I apply to more? It seems expensive, especially as I won't be a better applicant for the programs where I do interview if I decide to apply more broadly in order to get 10 programs on my rank list.
I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, though.
Can't you apply to 12 before it costs per program? And I know I wouldn't feel comfortable applying to the same number of interviews I aim for. I would expect a few rejections / no replies. Unless you are limiting yourself geographically, I would apply to more.
Applied: 31
Interview Invites: 2 (Not home; future away, and somewhat regional unrelated program)
All MD, mostly concentrated in NY, DC, Chicago, and then the West Coast (plus Denver/Utah). Not couples matching but have a SO with a fairly particular field of expertise. DC is the target so I can almost tell you my rank list now, pending interviews. If I were alllll alone I'd prolly aim for the West (mmm, snowboarding....) but I'm good at compromise. 😀
Also, as far as how many interviews you SHOULD do...
"In 2006 the Association of American Medical Colleges reported that every US applicant who had ranked at least 10 programs matched into EM (P. Jolly, Charting success in the NRMP main residency match, National Resident Matching Program and Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC (2006))."
And regarding interview TIMING:
"Timing of residency interview has been shown to have no effect on rank list position (Martin-Lee, H. Park and D.T. Overton, Does interview date affect match list position in the emergency medicine national residency matching program match?, Acad Emerg Med 7 (2000), pp. 1022–1026.)"
And finally SCRAMBLE:
"In 2007, there were only six unfilled positions nationwide"
If this were true I would be very, very happy. I just got my 10th interview two days ago. So far I am 10 interview for 28 applications. I applied up and down the East Coast so...here is to keeping my fingers crossed.
I know someone will ask: 9 DO and 1 MD so far.
If I were to end up with just, lets say, five more interviews what does that exactly mean. What if I am a below average applicant, can a great interview plus great LORs and SLOR really get me the spot? Will I know after the interview where I stand? I just really don't want to scramble and these interviews are a welcome blessing I just want to practice emergency medicine...
Last edited:
Good looking out wckedjkster... but I don't think I can really afford to apply to too many more programs. I am hoping things will trickle in as my SLORs go up onto eras. I was wondering if you would be able to PM me some of the places you interviewed at? Thanks!
Given that the Dean's letters haven't come out yet, you shouldn't be worried. When I went through the Match in '08, I had applied to 35 programs and received 30 interview invites. I went on 16 interviews and ranked 10 programs. Had a successful match.
When along the way did you start declining invites? Did you accept it and then later cancel when you decided not to go, or did you decline the initial invite? I applied to many programs, and have surprisingly got interviews scheduled at 1/3 of them. When do you go from beggars can't be chosers to being a little selective? When you can't afford another plane ticket?
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I only applied to 10 programs - one interview so far at my home institution but just got my transcripts in today and am waiting on two LORs.
Should I apply to more? It seems expensive, especially as I won't be a better applicant for the programs where I do interview if I decide to apply more broadly in order to get 10 programs on my rank list.
I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, though.
It may seem expensive but the way I'm looking at it is that hey, it will be a heck of a lot more expensive if I have to do this all over again next year should I not match.