IM Rejections Thread

[metastatic dz]

---

Members don't see this ad.

The Brigham takes one... then two... then three

giant dumps on my head

yeah, ain't it great? I think brigham wanted to make sure the message got through. The third time...well, thats just spite.

I really am averaging one rejection per day...this is AWESOME!!

 

[Zolpidem25]

yeah, ain't it great? I think brigham wanted to make sure the message got through. The third time...well, thats just spite.

I really am averaging one rejection per day...this is AWESOME!!

dude, let me just say this -- that's an awesome avatar.

i think i might be averaging 1.14 rejections per day, i'll have to re-calculate after BID and Duke unleash their fury upon me. 😀

 

[BStein76]

yeah, ain't it great? I think brigham wanted to make sure the message got through. The third time...well, thats just spite.

I really am averaging one rejection per day...this is AWESOME!!

You can email BWH and say "How could you reject me, I am Rick James..."; although I would leave out the last word of the catch phrase.

 

[quidnunc]

Just received the "thank you" e-mail from UCSF. At this point, I'd like to know one way or another by turkey day.

-Q

 

[upekkha]

NYU by phone
UCLA by snail mail

 

[DrNick2006]

DUKE axed me, its cause I'm a Michigan State fan and we rocked em last year in the sweet 16.

 

[Zolpidem25]

NYU by phone
UCLA by snail mail

NYU rejected you by phone??

 

[upekkha]

NYU rejected you by phone??

i called to inquire about my status, and was told that i wouldn't be interviewed.

 

[Mumpu]

UCSF rejection today. Fair enough -- I was curious to see what the fabled program looks like but not really interested in actually going there. No broken hearts here.

 

[Zolpidem25]

i called to inquire about my status, and was told that i wouldn't be interviewed.

oh, ok.... i thought you meant that they called you to tell you that you are rejected. 😱 which would have been not so cool.

 

[DrNick2006]

UCLA by snail, kinda harsh "you are unlikely to make our final rank list"

 

[Mossjoh]

I received an early birthday gift from Duke.....a rejection! I wish they could have given it to me Saturday.

Shot through the heart...oh wait..I'm wearing a bullet proof vest...no damage done.

:-D

Mossjoh

 

[DrHeartMD]

Duke axed me...no harm done...was not planning on attending an interview in NC anyway...it was kind of one of my whim apps and actually I was filled with regret after paying the app fee...I think my heart is in the northeast anyway =0)

 

[DoctorSax]

Colorado pooped on me and muh lady today.

My rejections list:

JHU
Northwestern
Brigham
Brigham
Brigham
Colorado

Waiting on U Chicago, U Washington, BID, and Brown.

 

[Dr. Corday]

Anybody heard anything (rejection wise) from Columbia and Cornell? I haven't heard anything...should I assume it means rejection? 😕

 

[PacerCarbon]

Love reading this forum, but never posted, so I figured I might as well contribute. I share many of y'all's thoughts - thought I'd have a great app and do really well but got a piece of reality thrown at my face like Rico throwing a steak at Napoleon. But, still fortunate to have some good interviews. When all is said and done, we'll all probably do fine.

Top 25 school in South
GPA 3.5
Step 1 230's
Did clinical research

Interviews granted:
UNC
Wake Forest
Emory
Vandy
UTSW
Baylor
UColorado
Mayo-Jax
UCSD
UAB
UF

Rejected:
JHU
UPenn
UCSF
Brigham x 3 (whats with that?)

Waiting:
Duke
U of Washington

 

[Legend]

UMichigan rejected me today via email

Forgot I had even applied there.

 

[oonural]

So, I called NYU today and was told that my application was on hold. Basically, the program director will review it again in mid-December, then decide if he wants to interview me. To be honest, I'm kinda surpirsed by this. I've gotten interviews at both Cornell and Mt. Sinai which I believe are both superior programs to NYU. Here are my stats, does anyone else think its fishy?

AOA, Step 1: 250, strong LOR's and extra currics, 2 pubs,
I'm from a little known southeast med school...could that be the reason?

I have had the same problem with NYU. I am also AOA with a strong STEP 1 and II, great LORs. I dunno whats up with NYU this year.

 

[BigBadBix]

Rejected by Columbia today. I had already decided not to go, as I don't think they are a good fit for me, so I'm actually glad - one less phone call to make. 🙂

 

[Legend]

rejected by Columbia which I expected.
(did away there and told their PD that I didn't like Columbia 😳 )

 

[inositide]

rejected by Columbia which I expected.
(did away there and told their PD that I didn't like Columbia 😳 )

Why did you tell the PD that? Someone tick you off?

 

[Zolpidem25]

Rejected by Columbia today. I had already decided not to go, as I don't think they are a good fit for me, so I'm actually glad - one less phone call to make. 🙂

also rejected by Columbia, but do not really care anymore............

 

[ucladukes]

In no particular order:

Duke -email
U. of Michigan -email
Northwestern -email
UCSF - "Thank You" email
UCLA -snail mail
Colorado -the day after I called email
Mayo -email
MGH - very nice email
BWH - nice email, but damn it, why times 3?

Still waiting to hear from:

UW, BU, Harbor-UCLA, UCSD, Emory, NYU

But at this point, I'm happy with the ones I have. Harbor is the only one I would definitely go to.

 

[Legend]

Why did you tell the PD that? Someone tick you off?

10 things I disliked the most about Columbia

1. location - Washington Heights (too far from my favorite place in NYC - Washington SQUARE)
2. diversity of patients (I thought there were way too many Hispanic patients - my school has too few 🙂 )
3. Presbyterian hospital seemed like a "3rd world country" for me - quote directly borrowed from a well-known GI attending at Columbia
4. PD said Columbia residents work much harder than Cornell. Though he was really nice about telling me about different programs in Manhattan.
5. Maybe I was just unlucky when I was there, but things were just not getting done. A lot of blood draws were getting lost in transit or simply not getting done. Also, takes a lot longer for things to come back when compared to my school. In short extremely poor ancillary services. (of course compared to other hospitals I have been to)
6. Cafeteria food was more disgusting than at other places. 🙂
7. I thought nurses were not that nice, but residents were quite nice.
8. Cost of living
9. Some residents seemed very burned out.
* 😱 10. EVERY fellow I met at Columbia (> 5) told me NOT to do my residency at Columbia.

Some good things
1. I can still get to some nice places in NYC in less than an hour.
2. Research is excellent
3. better fellowship placement than Cornell (per PD)
4. decent place to do a fellowship
5. some outstanding attendings
6. Residents get a lot of hands on experience due to their poor ancillary services? - it may be both good and bad for some people.
7. I heard morning reports were pretty good but never been there
8. Close to New Jersey maybe?

*of course this is one person's subjective opinion. No need to get offended by any of the information above. Overall I am really glad I decided to spend a month there, especially when Columbia was at one point my theoretical first choice.

 

[medlaw06]

10 things I disliked the most about Columbia

1. location - Washington Heights (too far from my favorite place in NYC - Washington SQUARE)
2. diversity of patients (I thought there were way too many Hispanic patients - my school has too few 🙂 )
3. Presbyterian hospital seemed like a "3rd world country" for me - quote directly borrowed from a well-known GI attending at Columbia
4. PD said Columbia residents work much harder than Cornell. Though he was really nice about telling me about different programs in Manhattan.
5. Maybe I was just unlucky when I was there, but things were just not getting done. A lot of blood draws were getting lost in transit or simply not getting done. Also, takes a lot longer for things to come back. In short extremely poor ancillary services. (of course compared to other hospitals I have been to)
6. Cafeteria food was more disgusting than at other places. 🙂
7. I thought nurses were not that nice, but residents were quite nice.
8. Cost of living
9. Some residents seemed very burned out.
* 😱 10. EVERY fellow I met at Columbia (> 5) told me NOT to do my residency at Columbia.

Some good things
1. I can still get to some nice places in NYC in less than an hour.
2. Research is excellent
3. better fellowship placement than Cornell (per PD)
4. decent place to do a fellowship
5. some outstanding attendings
6. Residents get a lot of hands on experience due to their poor ancillary services? - it may be both good and bad for some people.
7. I heard morning reports were pretty good but never been there
8. Close to New Jersey maybe?

*of course this is one person's subjective opinion. No need to get offended for any of the information above. Overall I am really glad I decided to spend a month there, especially when Columbia was at one point my theoretical first choice.

well...I can kinda second the motion on certain aspects and respectfully disagree on others...BTW, I did an away in IM there as well...

I agree about the patient population (WAYYY to homogeneous and very little english...could've sworn I lived in the US and not DR before going there...nothing wrong w/ that- I am an immigrant too-- but ATLEAST TRY to even LEARN THE BASICS of english if you LIVE here)....disagree about the 3rd world country though....there are much much worse hospitals in more of an "appropriate" 3rd world setting than Presby (see SUNY Downstate or pretty much ANY hospital NOT in Manhattan...Manhattan and 3rd world...hmmm...that's funny)...agree w/ the residnts working their BUTTs off!!!...question their happiness though...I got the sense that they chose Presby more for the reputation than a personal desire to be happy....pseudo-agree w/ ancillary services and nurses...the services were hit or miss, while I thougt the nurses were pretty helpful (ESPECIALLY w/ the spanish) but can see that some were downright nasty and looked @ us w/ disdain....disagree w/ cafeteria food...I thought it was pretty decent (gotta admit though, noon conference food was quite good!)...fellowship placement is AWESOME...didn't get the sense that the fellows were against doing a residency @ presby, but just my experiences....

I agree OVERALL though in that there's no need for bashing or anything else like that...just another person's opinion...

Still will be ranking them #1....happiness can wait for the next 3 years!

 

[phatfarm]

well...I can kinda second the motion on certain aspects and respectfully disagree on others...BTW, I did an away in IM there as well...

I agree about the patient population (WAYYY to homogeneous and very little english...could've sworn I lived in the US and not DR before going there...nothing wrong w/ that- I am an immigrant too-- but ATLEAST TRY to even LEARN THE BASICS of english if you LIVE here)....disagree about the 3rd world country though....there are much much worse hospitals in more of an "appropriate" 3rd world setting than Presby (see SUNY Downstate or pretty much ANY hospital NOT in Manhattan...Manhattan and 3rd world...hmmm...that's funny)...agree w/ the residnts working their BUTTs off!!!...question their happiness though...I got the sense that they chose Presby more for the reputation than a personal desire to be happy....pseudo-agree w/ ancillary services and nurses...the services were hit or miss, while I thougt the nurses were pretty helpful (ESPECIALLY w/ the spanish) but can see that some were downright nasty and looked @ us w/ disdain....disagree w/ cafeteria food...I thought it was pretty decent (gotta admit though, noon conference food was quite good!)...fellowship placement is AWESOME...didn't get the sense that the fellows were against doing a residency @ presby, but just my experiences....

I agree OVERALL though in that there's no need for bashing or anything else like that...just another person's opinion...

Still will be ranking them #1....happiness can wait for the next 3 years!

Sounds like you are settling a lot. 3 years is a long time. But if that is what is important to you...

 

[medlaw06]

Sounds like you are settling a lot. 3 years is a long time. But if that is what is important to you...

i don't think ending up @ Columbia is "settling" per se, and even if it is, I wouldn't consider it "alot." It would be settling if there is nothing in it for me. In other words, I would be settling if the amount of "happiness" I "give up" FAR exceeds the amount of "happiness" I "recieve," which is idiosyncratic for everyone, since everyone is different.

For me, I look @ residency, NO MATTER where, as a 3 year pain in the arse anyways. True, there are differences in programs and I have been on the interview trail to know where I DO NOT wanna go. However, UNLESS there are extremes, I personally do not look at "resident happiness" as a factor in deciding (UNLESS THEY ARE EXTREMES, once again) since no matter where you do your residency, it is still hard work and there will be times when we ALL will be grumpy. Residency, no matter where, WILL affect your family life. Residency, no matter where, WILL tire you out. Residency, no matter where, WILL be frustrating.

Also, in ALL honesty, I am pursuing IM for 1 reason and 1 reaosn only: FELLOWSHIP (in what is TBD, but haven't r/o the competitive ones like cardio or GI). The ONLY fields of medicine I like happen to be fellowships within IM, so IM is something I have to do in order to get to where my ultimate "happiness" lies. So, IM residency, for me, becomes merely a path for the ultimate destination, and the path is gonna be rough no matter where I end up. However, knowing Columbia's rep for fellowship placement, I am willing to sacrifice certain things to improve my chances of a fellowship. Maybe I have been mislead by people (Good God, I hope not), but from what I have heard, while which medical school you attended is more trivial for residencies, which residency you went to makes more impact when applying for fellowships. True? Opinions? So, going under that assumption, Columbia is my #1 choice, even if the residents are over-worked and not as happy as somewhere else. But its a price I am willing to pay for getting a fellowship of my choice.

Just another person's opinion..that's it...nothing more...nothing less

 

[metastatic dz]

so, it seems that columbia has sent out at least the first round of rejections. Surprisingly, I didn't recieve one. What the hell does that mean? I hate the fact that these programs just have us hanging in the wind...this blows.

 

[Fermi]

so, it seems that columbia has sent out at least the first round of rejections. Surprisingly, I didn't recieve one. What the hell does that mean? I hate the fact that these programs just have us hanging in the wind...this blows.

Likewise. I haven't heard a word from U of Chicago or UCSD despite contacting them multiple times. They told me that if I haven't heard, then a decision hasn't been made yet. But if they haven't decided by now, then what is the chance that I would actually make it onto their rank list in the end?

 

[Mumpu]

Haven't heard from U Chicago either. Doesn't matter at this point since I won't interview with them even if they invite me. My schedules are done, tickets are bought, bags are packed.

 

[BStein76]

Haven't heard from U Chicago either. Doesn't matter at this point since I won't interview with them even if they invite me. My schedules are done, tickets are bought, bags are packed.

Just booking these last minute interviews you often have to pay ridiculous fares just to sit next to the stinky toilet in the back of the plane...

 

[upekkha]

yale rejection today

 

[orientedtoself]

Got the OHSU reject today. Their letter wasn't mean, but it was still a blow to the ego. They elaborated on the qualities of their residents and then contrast it to the qualified but not competitive applicant, who does not have those qualities (you loser)

 

[Tigerz_Fan]

Post which programs have already started rejecting - don't be shy

I'm in on this: Vandy sent me a rejection. FOUR times! Enough already, I got the point!

 

[clexter]

Got the OHSU reject today. Their letter wasn't mean, but it was still a blow to the ego. They elaborated on the qualities of their residents and then contrast it to the qualified but not competitive applicant, who does not have those qualities (you loser)

Ditto! 👎

 

[DoctorSax]

Finally got rejected from U Chicago this past Wednesday. This past WEDNESDAY! I think it's because I called them and told them that my wife and I would be in the area on Thursday and would "be happy to stop by for an interview." Oh well.

Word still out on U Dubb and BID. Don't know what the point is--can't go now anyway.

Rejections: JHU, BWH, UCLA, Northwestern, U Chicago

DS

 

[Ali Baba]

Post which programs have already started rejecting - don't be shy

hey when's the last time anyone was turned down by emory?...they're being awfully quiet...

 

[2359]

Got Cornell today. Very unique rejection. Reads as follows:

Thank you for your interest in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the
Weill Cornell Campus of New York and Presbyterian Hospital. After reviewing
your application, we find that you are an excellent candidate. Unfortunately,
due to the overwhelming number of applications this year, we are unable to
grant an interview to every worthy applicant. Because we think so highly of
your qualifications, however, we would like to keep you in the "Cornell
family." We therefore urge you to apply to our sister institution, New York
Hospital Queens, where you will be teaching Weill-Cornell medical students
while learning under the supervision of a superb full-time faculty with
academic appointments at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Their NRMP Number is 1822140C0.

For further information about this excellent Cornell-affiliated training
program, visit the program's website, www.medicineatnyhq.org, or contact:

Program Director: Steven Reichert, MD

Program Administrator: Josephine Leone, MHA
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (718) 670-1347
Fax: (718) 670-2456

Good luck in your career.

 

[orientedtoself]

Because we think so highly of
your qualifications, however, we would like to keep you in the "Cornell
family." We therefore urge you to apply to our sister institution, New York
Hospital Queens, where you will be teaching Weill-Cornell medical students
while learning under the supervision of a superb full-time faculty with
academic appointments at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

I don't know how they think that is going to help you at this point in the application season. It's January. Two thoughts immediately come to mind:

1. Queens hospital is hurting for recruiting
2. Sloppy seconds

A simple "sorry, we can't offer you an interview" would have been much nicer.

 

[Lara]

Well, sure beats the peds rejection:

"Unfortunately due to the large number of very qualified applicants we will nto be able to offer you an interview. Thank you for your interest and we wish you well in finding a position."

That's all - no subject or signature, I only knew from the email address that it was Cornell. 🙄

ETA - funny that this is what oriented would prefer (I posted beforehand)..

 

[chintu]

UNC - by email
Vandy - by email