Inquiring about interview status

[DrRowing81]

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I was wondering what people thought about calling programs to ask them about getting an interview if you havent been offered one yet. I am really interested in U Pitt, yet i havent received an interview, but I have not been turned down yet. I heard from someone though that they are very slow and tedious with their interview process and havent yet sent out all their invitations. Anyone have any input on this? If I call and tell them i am very interested, would that reflect badly on me and decrease my chance of an interview?
Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Spooky]

Definitely try. I would send an email though, and directly to the PD (use google to find the email address). Phone calls won't reach past the secretary. I did this for 3 programs that I had not yet heard from, and within the week I received 2 invitations and 1 rejection. It was clear to me that one of the programs that invited me (top 10 by anyones's count) did so because of my interest. I even heard back directly from the PD. Programs want people that want them. It can't hurt to try.

 

[dynx]

I was wondering what people thought about calling programs to ask them about getting an interview if you havent been offered one yet. I am really interested in U Pitt, yet i havent received an interview, but I have not been turned down yet. I heard from someone though that they are very slow and tedious with their interview process and havent yet sent out all their invitations. Anyone have any input on this? If I call and tell them i am very interested, would that reflect badly on me and decrease my chance of an interview?
Any thoughts appreciated.

As long as you dont bug them I dont see why not. Call once, get your answer, the worst thing they can say is no. At this late of a date Im sure it could become a scheduling issue for you as well. So I would call. Don't leave a message, make sure you talk to someone.

 

[tooshorttoolong]

Hmmmm, calling the PD is a risky move. Personally that would be frowned upon where I'm from. But I certainly sent emails to secretaries, although the ones that I have heard back from have only rejected me. 🙁

 

[maverick_pkg]

how about emailing the PD? is that looked down upon as well.

 

[tooshorttoolong]

I think that the PD has better things to deal with than applicants who want an interview.

 

[mohelgamal]

How about if I had an interview and I want to know my outcome.
The case is that I am an IMG. and I applied to a prelim surgery position. the program director invited all the IMGs in one day. and he told us that he will be settling one of the positions with us outside the match (the program is not that good and I think no AMG will accept a prelim there). he told us that he will make his mind mid dec. My calculation in comparison to the other guys is that I will most likely be chosen. is it polite to contact the PD to ask him.

Also In one interview I was told specifically that I will be ranked high. but I didn't ask how high. so can I ask now how high.

 

[Winged Scapula]

How about if I had an interview and I want to know my outcome.
The case is that I am an IMG. and I applied to a prelim surgery position. the program director invited all the IMGs in one day. and he told us that he will be settling one of the positions with us outside the match (the program is not that good and I think no AMG will accept a prelim there). he told us that he will make his mind mid dec. My calculation in comparison to the other guys is that I will most likely be chosen. is it polite to contact the PD to ask him.

Also In one interview I was told specifically that I will be ranked high. but I didn't ask how high. so can I ask now how high.

You are not supposed to ask each other specific questions about how you will be ranked. Programs can tell you they will rank you high, but take it with a grain of salt - applicants are not supposed to ask how high they will be ranked and programs are not supposed to ask applicants the same.

As for calling the PD you discussed in the first scenario, I'm not sure what good the information will do you. Shortly you will know whether or not he/she is offering you the position outside of the match; if not, then continue with your match plans. If you are offered the position, then you need to decide whether or not to take it and drop out of the match. So I fail to see how knowing something RIGHT NOW affects your decision regarding the match in a few months (unless you are contemplating cancelling some interviews for January).

 

[mohelgamal]

You are not supposed to ask each other specific questions about how you will be ranked. Programs can tell you they will rank you high, but take it with a grain of salt - applicants are not supposed to ask how high they will be ranked and programs are not supposed to ask applicants the same.

As for calling the PD you discussed in the first scenario, I'm not sure what good the information will do you. Shortly you will know whether or not he/she is offering you the position outside of the match; if not, then continue with your match plans. If you are offered the position, then you need to decide whether or not to take it and drop out of the match. So I fail to see how knowing something RIGHT NOW affects your decision regarding the match in a few months (unless you are contemplating cancelling some interviews for January).

As For illegal Questions I have been asked in every interview. where did I get interviews and in some cases how did I find these programs. (which aims to know how I am going to rank)

Why Do I want t know right Know? Anxiety I only had 4 interviews out of which 3 I don't think I have a real shot at. only this one I think I can get. and if I didn't get anything starting july 2007. this mean that I will have a full year without a job. and I already had to forgo my chances in egypt to go to the US. bottom line if I didn't get a residency this year I am screwed

With my current status. I am not even sure that I have the nerve to go through the match 🙁

 

[Winged Scapula]

As For illegal Questions I have been asked in every interview. where did I get interviews and in some cases how did I find these programs. (which aims to know how I am going to rank)

Why Do I want t know right Know? Anxiety I only had 4 interviews out of which 3 I don't think I have a real shot at. only this one I think I can get. and if I didn't get anything starting july 2007. this mean that I will have a full year without a job. and I already had to forgo my chances in egypt to go to the US. bottom line if I didn't get a residency this year I am screwed

With my current status. I am not even sure that I have the nerve to go through the match 🙁

It is not "illegal" for programs to ask you where else you have interviewed and how you have liked those programs. Sometimes the question is being asked simply as a matter of interest and other times as a matter of data collection - ie, they want to know what types of programs you are applying to (all university, all community, different areas of the country? etc). I wouldn't read too much into it.

I can understand your anxiety, but the reality is that knowing right now (ie, by calling the PD) doesn't change what will happen in the future. If you don't think you have much chance, then you need to look at Prelim programs in the match, or even the post-match scramble. There are also spots which open up after July 1 - or even after the scramble when people change their minds.

best of luck...

 

[mohelgamal]

thank you. I will just be waiting. and waiting is the thing I hate the most. that is why I am not working in medicine and choose surgery. I used to like psychiatry but I was in round when the attending said we should start the patient on some drugs then check after 3 weeks. and that was it for me to lose all interest in psych.

Anyway thank you. I know there is nothing I can do

 

[kaos]

It is not "illegal" for programs to ask you where else you have interviewed and how you have liked those programs. Sometimes the question is being asked simply as a matter of interest and other times as a matter of data collection - ie, they want to know what types of programs you are applying to (all university, all community, different areas of the country? etc). I wouldn't read too much into it.

Oh, I didn't know that it wasn't illegal. But I've also gotten a lot of "I think you'd do very well here" and "I hope you rank us very highly." Is that just courtesy and hot air, or does it actually mean anything?

 

[tooshorttoolong]

It doesn't mean anything...they may say that to everyone. Its superficially flattering though

 

[Winged Scapula]

Oh, I didn't know that it wasn't illegal. But I've also gotten a lot of "I think you'd do very well here" and "I hope you rank us very highly." Is that just courtesy and hot air, or does it actually mean anything?

There are very few "illegal questions" - which tends to be viewed as inappropriate are things like religion, marital status, plans for pregnancy, BUT what most candidates don't understand is that these questions are not illegal per se, but using them to make residency ranking decisions IS.

As for your query, it really doesn't mean anything unless you have a piece of paper. Most every candidate gets some kind of comment either as courtesy, hot air, or real interest on the part of the program, but there is very little you can do to find out which category you are in. Take it with a grain of salt.🙄

 

[kaos]

There are very few "illegal questions" - which tends to be viewed as inappropriate are things like religion, marital status, plans for pregnancy, BUT what most candidates don't understand is that these questions are not illegal per se, but using them to make residency ranking decisions IS.

As for your query, it really doesn't mean anything unless you have a piece of paper. Most every candidate gets some kind of comment either as courtesy, hot air, or real interest on the part of the program, but there is very little you can do to find out which category you are in. Take it with a grain of salt.🙄

That's good to know. I try not to believe every word they tell me, but it's hard not to. Thanks!