How to reaffirm interest after the interview...

[Neigh2008]

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At one of my interviews I was advised by an interviewer to "keep in touch" if it was still interested in the program after my interview. What is the right way to go about staying in touch with a program you are very interested in. I was thinking of sending out a hand written note, reaffirming my interest in the program in mid Jan. Does this sound like a reasonable time. Is anyone doing anything else? I don't want to be a nuisance, but I also would hate for a program that I really like to think I am not that interested. Thanks!

 

[Pades]

I was actually wondering the same since the PD at what will likely be my #1 told me exactly the same thing back at the end of october. similarly i would like to send them a note/email around mid-january once interviews are basically done. maybe something like how highly i still think of their program, maybe coming up for a 2nd look so that my wife could see the area and maybe meet some residents, maybe i should just leave them alone....i have no idea and i'm sure there are a ton of different opinions on this topic but still would like to hear what other residents have done or what fellow applicants are planning to do.

 

[anestheticman]

Yes, and to add to that, what is the importance of doing a second look? How the heck do I decide when and where to do them when I don't even get back to my home and end my interview trail until January 14th? Also programs aren't giving me any sort of feedback about whether they would like me to go for a second look... I haven't received a single email or phone call in response to my thank you letters/ letters of interest post-interview.

I took out a 15,000 dollar loan for interviews and most of that will be gone by mid-January. I think it is unreasonable for programs to ask me to fly across the country again to prove they are a top choice but if someone disagrees that would be helpful to know.

So far some suggest a second look that is totally optional and make that clear, others make it sound like a requirement but are sort of ambiguous about it, and others it seems pretty much required but its very hard to tell if they would make an exception for someone traveling from a long distance.

 

[Bucknut]

I think your idea about taking a "second look" day in late January or early February is something that I'm going to do for my top 3 or 4 choices (except for my home institution). First of all, it shows them that you're very serious about their program. Also, for me personally I've found that I've really liked several of the programs that I've interviewed at and I think I need another trip to these places to help me figure out my rank list.

 

[Nasty Gas]

Having served on selection / ranking committees, I can tell you that correspondence from an applicant is rarely factored into the decision of where to rank a candidate. This is largely because programs never receive letters saying "thanks, but I'm not interested." So we're left with hundreds of letters saying "I will be ranking you highly." Thus, outside of showing 'good grooming' by sending a note thanking the program for a nice dinner and (possibly) a hotel room, it probably won't increase your rank. That being said, it cannot hurt. Also, preliminary rankings of candidates are usually accomplished shortly after the interview so they are fresh in the faculty's mind. Thank you notes are generally received after this meeting.

However, the flip side of this is that programs do like to know who is truly interested in their program before the final rank list is submitted. Here, actions speak louder than words. If one is truly interested in a program, it may be wise (although NOT mandatory) to visit for a ‘second look' and shadow a resident. This may be impractical and cost-prohibitive for many which is why not doing this won't count against you. But, if you really, really, really like a program, it may be worth the time, effort and cost. Contact your desired programs and see if they do this before the lists are due.

Finally, wherever you end up will become home and you'll probably grow to like it, if not love it. It's REALLY hard as a 4th year to know exactly what you want in a program, and as you progress through your residency you'll place importance on things you never thought about as a candidate.

So… Relax and let it happen because for the vast majority of you, it will happen. Enjoy 4th year! 👍👍👍

 

[powermd]

Personal communication may help more with smaller programs, rather than large ones. Prestigious anesthesia programs take who they want, I doubt they factor applicant interest into ranking at all. A small program that only takes a few people might care to have people that are particularly enthusiastic about attending, or have a compelling reason to want to go there.

I didn't send any thank you letters when I interviewed for anesthesia.

I DID send thank you letters when I interviewed for a pain fellowship. It didn't help at all. Places that wanted me called at their convenience, not at any point in proximity to my "letter of continued interest". I did my best to show interest AT THE INTERVIEW (where I could stomach it...). The results ended up seeming pretty random.