Interview follow-ups...the good and the bad

[lifeaseyeknowit]

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I have completed half my interviews at this point. Quick questions so far as I continue on the interview trail.

One of the programs I interviewed at seems to fit my wants/needs to a tee. Anything that I can do after the interview to increase my chances at this point of getting into a particular program? I will definitely try corresponding a bit more with the residents/faculty via e-mail, but I wanted advice about anything else that can help my chances at this point.

A question on the opposite front...one of the programs I interviewed at actually didn't go very well at all. The program seemed good and the residents were great. However, one of my interviewers spoke on the phone for half of my interview and another one of my interviewers also seemed somewhat demeaning and didn't get a chance to talk to me at all. I'm not quite sure what to do about this as it seemed to have a good program and don't know if this was representative of the whole program. I also want to have a fair shot at an interview with them. Anything you would recommend I do to follow-up with the program?

Thanks for your help!

 

[MSKalltheway]

One of the programs I interviewed at seems to fit my wants/needs to a tee. Anything that I can do after the interview to increase my chances at this point of getting into a particular program? I will definitely try corresponding a bit more with the residents/faculty via e-mail, but I wanted advice about anything else that can help my chances at this point.

I've been told by other residents along the trail that the biggest things are thank you notes (with some follow up of what you talked about with an interviewer specifically), and asking the PD for a second look at some point. Some places care about this stuff apparently, but some places dont. Can't hurt to try if you really like it!

A question on the opposite front...one of the programs I interviewed at actually didn't go very well at all. The program seemed good and the residents were great. However, one of my interviewers spoke on the phone for half of my interview and another one of my interviewers also seemed somewhat demeaning and didn't get a chance to talk to me at all. I'm not quite sure what to do about this as it seemed to have a good program and don't know if this was representative of the whole program. I also want to have a fair shot at an interview with them. Anything you would recommend I do to follow-up with the program?

Personally, I'd recommend not ranking them. I might also let the PD know, in writing, that this took place without mentioning names so they can act accordingly, if they care to. I honestly would not rank a program to which this happened to me, I would take my application elsewhere. As one coordinator put it to me "Shame on you if you can't go somewhere and talk to somebody for 15 minutes without behaving". (Btw this wasn't said to me, but as a general statement about past interviewees behavior) I expect the same courtesy from those who interview me, since I took the time off my rotations (that I'm paying tuition for!) and dropping hundreds, maybe over a thousand on plane/tolls/cab/hotel. I mean, that's a flat screen TV, or LOTS of shoes if you're a woman!

And for you, that was not one, but multiple interviewers? That would leave a very bad taste in my mouth. But regardless, if you still would like to possibly attend the program, I would suggest the same as above.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Taus]

I have completed half my interviews at this point. Quick questions so far as I continue on the interview trail.

One of the programs I interviewed at seems to fit my wants/needs to a tee. Anything that I can do after the interview to increase my chances at this point of getting into a particular program? I will definitely try corresponding a bit more with the residents/faculty via e-mail, but I wanted advice about anything else that can help my chances at this point.

IMO...don't go overboard and be sincere in what you do:
-Personalized thank you notes to those who interviewed you
- email the few residents who you met and had some meaningful conversation with...this is also a great way to ask more detailed questions about intricacies of the program that you're still curious about
-Email the PD's of your top few programs shortly before rank lists are due and re-confirm your high level of interest/that you're ranking them very highly, etc (just don't tell more then 1 program that you are ranking them #1...a douchebag move and PM&R is a small field)

A question on the opposite front...one of the programs I interviewed at actually didn't go very well at all. The program seemed good and the residents were great. However, one of my interviewers spoke on the phone for half of my interview and another one of my interviewers also seemed somewhat demeaning and didn't get a chance to talk to me at all. I'm not quite sure what to do about this as it seemed to have a good program and don't know if this was representative of the whole program. I also want to have a fair shot at an interview with them. Anything you would recommend I do to follow-up with the program?

Thanks for your help!

For me it would depend on how involved that interviewer is w/ the residency program. If they are a distant adjunct prof or something like that...it may not reflect on the program. If it was someone who would definitely have more then a very small role in your education.... that program would drop way down my list.

If you really want to get a better feel for that program you could try scheduling a 2nd look day.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

I'd strongly consider looking at the big picture, and not let a bad interview sway you too much.

I know as a medical student it seems like you are paying a lot to interview, but keep in mind the attending's perspective- they are blocking out a half day of clinic, which can be pretty costly for us. We are essentially paying for the privilege of interviewing you. I don't mind doing so, as the interviewees are important to me, but I would keep this in mind.

As for talking on the phone- try to distinguish between rudeness and triaging. Sometimes things happen, and fires have to be put out. I try not to let this interfere with my interviews, but things happen.

If you are really concerned enough about a program to the point you don't think you will rank the program, I would strongly consider talking to the program coordinator or program director. If that conversation goes poorly, you weren't going to rank them anyway. But you may learn things about the program that you were unaware of (e.g., your scheduled interviewer had a death in the family, and they had to get a last minute replacement, etc)

This is 3-4 years of your life, so I would try to maintain as much of a big picture perspective as you can. Your happiness and future will depend much more on big things (stabilty of the department, quality role models and mentors, success of prior residents, breadth of training), than little things (quality of food at the interview, how much your interviewer smiled at me)

Also, looking back at my interviews when I was a medical student, my interviews at the better programs were much more intense and less warm and fuzzy than the lesser programs. Lesser programs have to focus more on the interview as a recruiting tool. Higher quality programs have a greater luxury in screening to make sure they get the right people. It doesn't mean that good progams have a license to be jerks, but I would keep in mind that what may be perceived as interrogation is merely trying to confirm you are a good fit.

 

[Ludicolo]

A question on the opposite front...one of the programs I interviewed at actually didn't go very well at all. The program seemed good and the residents were great. However, one of my interviewers spoke on the phone for half of my interview and another one of my interviewers also seemed somewhat demeaning and didn't get a chance to talk to me at all. I'm not quite sure what to do about this as it seemed to have a good program and don't know if this was representative of the whole program. I also want to have a fair shot at an interview with them. Anything you would recommend I do to follow-up with the program?

This is the perfect scenario to request a second look.

Also, looking back at my interviews when I was a medical student, my interviews at the better programs were much more intense and less warm and fuzzy than the lesser programs. Lesser programs have to focus more on the interview as a recruiting tool. Higher quality programs have a greater luxury in screening to make sure they get the right people. It doesn't mean that good progams have a license to be jerks, but I would keep in mind that what may be perceived as interrogation is merely trying to confirm you are a good fit.

Even the strong programs will switch to a hard sell recruitment mode - especially when you run into a blue chip candidate that is stellar across the board, one that will have their pick of top programs.

 

[fizzziatrist]

I agree. That would leave an awful impression on me. I wouldn't rank them unless you have to.

I've been told by other residents along the trail that the biggest things are thank you notes (with some follow up of what you talked about with an interviewer specifically), and asking the PD for a second look at some point. Some places care about this stuff apparently, but some places dont. Can't hurt to try if you really like it!



Personally, I'd recommend not ranking them. I might also let the PD know, in writing, that this took place without mentioning names so they can act accordingly, if they care to. I honestly would not rank a program to which this happened to me, I would take my application elsewhere. As one coordinator put it to me "Shame on you if you can't go somewhere and talk to somebody for 15 minutes without behaving". (Btw this wasn't said to me, but as a general statement about past interviewees behavior) I expect the same courtesy from those who interview me, since I took the time off my rotations (that I'm paying tuition for!) and dropping hundreds, maybe over a thousand on plane/tolls/cab/hotel. I mean, that's a flat screen TV, or LOTS of shoes if you're a woman!

And for you, that was not one, but multiple interviewers? That would leave a very bad taste in my mouth. But regardless, if you still would like to possibly attend the program, I would suggest the same as above.

Best of luck to you!

 

[fizzziatrist]

anyone still getting interview invites or if we haven't heard from a program, is it pretty safe to assume it's a rejection?

 

[Karaoke]

I'm in agreement with rehab_sports_dr on this issue. Don't let an awkward
interview prevent you from make an objective decision about a program. It's
true that I would be turned off by what happened to you, but now that I've
been around the block once, I have the perspective that not everything about
a program is as it appears on interview day (both good and bad things).

The majority of programs you end up ranking will not be "a perfect fit" -- there
will be pros and cons for each program, and you'll list out all of those and
weigh the importance of each before you end up with a final list. I think it
would be fair to list this experience on the "cons" list for the program, but to
cross it off entirely for this kind of offense seems melodramatic to me, and
you probably wouldn't be doing yourself any favors.

Bump it down a notch or two on your rank list, but don't go doing anything
crazy like crossing it off your list. My two cents.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

Agree with Karaoke

When I was at this point as a medical student, I created a spreadsheet where I ranked the different criteria that were important to me, and then ranked each of the programs where I interviewed on each of those criteria

I found this surprisingly helpful. There were 2 programs I had, based on initial emotional feel, ranked very similarly. After I went through the spreadsheet process I realized that I had one of the two programs ranked higher on every criteria. This made me think about why I had that program ranked so highly, and ultimately this became my #1 choice (which was a good choice). Had I not undergone the formal ranking, I don't know that it would have been my #1 choice. The spreadsheet helped me in creating seperation between otherwise similar programs.