importance of applying on sept 15?

[justpremed]

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I know Sept 15 is the date everything opens, but how detrimental is it to submit a few days later (within that first week)? Does the first download usually happen on Sept 15? (Or maybe 17 since that's a Monday?)...and how long before the next download?

Thanks in advance for your help! 🙂

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It's not that important. Each program chooses when they want to download more information. I can even set up ERAS to automatically download information every night. I can't imagine that applying on Sept 15th vs Sept 28th would make much difference.

 

[Chakrabs]

Just from personal experience - I applied a week or so after the 1st day it opened last year to a competitive specialty, got plenty of interviews, and ended up at my top choice program. Its not the end of the world.

 

[DulQa]

It's not that important. Each program chooses when they want to download more information. I can even set up ERAS to automatically download information every night. I can't imagine that applying on Sept 15th vs Sept 28th would make much difference.

My current program does not download or consider anymore applications after first 1000 ERAS applications received.

 

[Harsy]

Hi.I have a similiar situation. I am applying for residency this yr but due to some unforseen circumstances, my CK exam got pushed back. I will end up taking it first week of Oct and the scores will come out late Oct. I have both Step1 and CS passed on first attempt, I did all my clerkships in the U.S. (carib. student).
My dilemma is whether to actually apply on Sept 15th, OR wait until my application is complete, with my CK score. My Step1 score isn't great(low 80).I am focussing mostly on FM but applying widely just to be safe.
So is it better to wait until late oct to apply to programs im interested in or just apply then?Also, if some programs do have the first 1000 applicant rule, does that include incomplete applications?
Im also rotating at 3 places I am really interested in, so hopefully they will give me an interview.
Apologies for the long post, but all advice is appreciated.

 

[shan564]

There may not be much of a difference between Sept 15 and Sept 28, but I think there's a significant difference if you wait until late October. Most programs will have already sent out interview offers by then.

Despite your weak Step 1 score, I think you're probably hurting yourself more if you wait too long to apply. A lot of PDs will filter you out because of a lack of a Step 2ck score, but you'd have a hard time getting any interviews in late October - especially considering the fact that MSPEs are coming out on Oct 1 this year.

You can always bring your Step 2ck score with you to the interviews that you do get...

 

[septoplasty]

There may not be much of a difference between Sept 15 and Sept 28, but I think there's a significant difference if you wait until late October. Most programs will have already sent out interview offers by then.

Despite your weak Step 1 score, I think you're probably hurting yourself more if you wait too long to apply. A lot of PDs will filter you out because of a lack of a Step 2ck score, but you'd have a hard time getting any interviews in late October - especially considering the fact that MSPEs are coming out on Oct 1 this year.

You can always bring your Step 2ck score with you to the interviews that you do get...

Logical yea, but worthless imo.

Besides questioning authenticity, you'd probably piss the IV team off if you bring such document according to another thread.

 

[emboli]

Applying earlier will increase likelihood of being invited for an interview earlier. But what about scheduling of interviews? I feel like there is no benefit with interviewing earlier, in fact, wouldn't it be a disadvantage? I say disadvantage because early interviewees are more likely to be forgotten when its time to rank all interviewees...or am I wrong?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You're wrong. We keep track of everyone. I essentially "rank" everyone after their interview day. When we get to the end of the season, I simply sort the list and then tinker with it.

 

[diagonal]

You're wrong. We keep track of everyone. I essentially "rank" everyone after their interview day. When we get to the end of the season, I simply sort the list and then tinker with it.

How do you compare people from different times in the interview season? I imagine remembering the various people is difficult. Or perhaps it's not and our stupid faces are emblazoned on your mind until match day.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It;s not hard at all. We have a standardized scale where we assign each applicant a score -- we average several evaluators. When you're ranking large numbers of people, small differences just don't matter. I know where on my rank list my last match is likely to come from, and focus on that part of the list.

 

[armybound]

aPD, do you guys care if someone jumps on the first interview date or chooses a later one?

I just got my first invite for a place I really, really want to go to and want to get a little experience before I interview there.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Choose any date you want. There is no benefit to interviewing early nor late.