Interview early or late?

[Analyzethis]

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So I have heard a few different things and I can understand both perspectives but am not sure what to do-obviously match is nothing like medschool where you want to apply asap because of rolling admissions. But if you get an invite, is it a better idea to schedule your interview as close to match as you can-late januaryish rather than nov or dec??

I have heard doing it later makes you easier to rememeber since you interviwed more recently-and for doing it earlier I cant think of why that is better but I know there are upsides-what do you think?

 

[njbmd]

So I have heard a few different things and I can understand both perspectives but am not sure what to do-obviously match is nothing like medschool where you want to apply asap because of rolling admissions. But if you get an invite, is it a better idea to schedule your interview as close to match as you can-late januaryish rather than nov or dec??

I have heard doing it later makes you easier to rememeber since you interviwed more recently-and for doing it earlier I cant think of why that is better but I know there are upsides-what do you think?

For the Match: It actually does not matter when you interview. Most residency programs hold their prelim rank meeting on the same day that you interveiw and one final rank meeting before they turn in their final list. If you top the prelim rank list, you are likely going to top the final list too.

Programs know that folks schedule interviews when they are able to fit them in. You are not penalized by interviewing late nor are you at an advantage. If they like you, they like you and they will rank you. This process is very different from medical school admissions.

 

[pmpkn219]

The only thing I've heard in regards to interview timing is if you have multiple, putting your prelim "favorite" somewhere in the middle may be good. Because the first ones are going to be scary & new, and towards the end you may be weary of the process. So somewhere in the middle you may be at your best form, so to speak?

The med school I'm at was my first interview and I thought I blew it being such a newbie at the whole deal, but I guess they liked me anyway. Of course, that's not exactly the same as residency interviews, so hard to compare.

 

[ijcMD]

I spoke to a residency director in a NY hospital and I asked the same question. At first he said it didn't really matter, but then his opinon formalized around a later interview closer to the match for the following reasons: (1) recency effects; and (2) you will have perfected your interview skills from the previous residency interviews