How much can a resident negatively influence your application?

[stormyseas]

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thanks for answering!

 

[TheJanitor]

Try not to stress since you can't change it. From what I've heard, it's very program dependent. Some programs heavily weight residents' opinions, while others completely ignore it/don't ask for it. Some programs only let residents have veto powers.

If you and the other person just mix like oil and water, I wouldn't lose sleep. What is he going to tell the PD? On the other hand, if you did something to give this guy a reason to hate you, i.e. did something really wrong, then it might be an issue. Hopefully it's the former and you've both grown up/gotten over it.

 

[Dr Love]

It turns out that one of the residents at a program on the east coast where I did an away rotation I knew in a past life, and we did NOT get along personally. We didn't work together, but we did civilly run into each other and now I am worried that this person will advocate against my application since he knows I am applying to their program. The rotation went very well, and I really want to go to this school and am very willing to work professionally with this person. I have a strong application with solid LORs, and my professionalism and teamwork were repeatedly commented on throughout my third-year rotations.

I am worried this person may try to advocate against me if I apply to this program, which is one of my top choices. This may be paranoid, but I'm also worried that if this person does speak to the PD about me, the PD will share this with sister programs. Does this ever happen?? Thoughts?

Just a lowly medical student here, but from what I have been told by multiple people involved in selecting residents - yes, this happens all the time. One of the most questions in selecting residents is "Does this person fit in here", and a lot of times that comes down to personal feelings. My brother-in-law sunk one student's application simply because he did not like that person.

Now whether this person will speak out against you in this case, or whether that will be enough to make a difference - no one knows. Unlikely the PD will speak to sister programs though. He/she can tell the PD he/she really doesn't like you or has a negative opinion of you, but why would the PD tell some other program about this?

 

[stormyseas]

thanks!

 

[mimelim]

The short answer: it depends on the program and depends on the PD. Most programs will ask residents what they thought of applicants and if they 'fit'. Every PD is different. Some places it is a room full of people voting, but only 1 vote that counts (the PD). Others will take the opinions of others more seriously. Really the only way this will negatively impact you in most programs is if the guy will spend his time/energy going out of his way to sink you. Most people are not going to do that tbh because if they are wrong or others disagree with them, they look like a complete tool.

In the end, you can't do anything about it, so don't think about it. It is out of your control and dwelling on it at all is pointless.