Interview Invite off waitlist

[MiaMia14]

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So, I was called and offered an interview off a waitlist recently. The problem is it is the same day as another one I received outright earlier in the season. I know it is just conjecture, but what are your thoughts on chances of actually matching a program after receiving an interview late in the season/off a waitlist? The waitlist interview is in a location I would prefer over the first one, but I wouldn't want to give up an interview at a program I might have a chance at for one I wouldn't really be considered at, especially since I would have to spend a lot of money to change flights around. Thoughts?

 

[waitlist22]

For what its worth I was in literally the EXACT same position. I went with the one that was in a location more favorable to me and my interests but definitely struggled with the decision. I figured that the place in a better location was more likely to end up higher on my rank list than the other program and it made more sense to attend an interview where I would be more open to ranking it highly. As a few other senior users of this forum that interview candidates have noted, once you get the interview, the interviewers are unlikely to know whether or not you were off the waitlist or the initial invite. I too, however, would love to know some thoughts on this situation.

 

[TraumaLlamaMD]

I could be wrong, but I don't think programs typically make the effort to interview candidates they have no intention of ranking. What would be the point? It takes faculty time to conduct each interview and the day becomes logistically more complicated with each candidate added.

 

[waitlist22]

I could be wrong, but I don't think programs typically make the effort to interview candidates they have no intention of ranking. What would be the point? It takes faculty time to conduct each interview and the day becomes logistically more complicated with each candidate added.

I don't think the issue is whether or not you will be ranked but whether or not you will be ranked high enough to match. The question is: are you more likely to be ranked to match at a place where you were offered an invite in the first round or from a place where you were invited off of the waitlist? If once you get the interview it is a level playing field then it won't matter. But if the application as a whole is used then someone off of the waitlist theoretically starts lower on the rank list and would have to nail the interview to move into a higher position to match. It could stand to reason that if a program wanted to interview you right off the bat then you have a better chance matching there than a program that only wanted to interview you after others have cancelled. It certainly is a valid question.

 

[gutonc]

It's absolutely a valid question...


if you're a paranoid, neurotic, gunner med student.

For everyone else, the answer is "Woohoo! I got an interview at my dream program!!!!! F*** Yeah I'm going to that bad boy!".

 

[waitlist22]

It's absolutely a valid question...


if you're a paranoid, neurotic, gunner med student.

There is no such thing as a non-paranoid, non-neurotic med student 😉 Especially on SDN...

 

[MiaMia14]

Thanks guys, I ended up taking the interview at the new program and canceling my old one. Goodbye $800. Who knows if it will be worth it, but just on location it is definitely higher on my list than the one I gave up. Sucks I had to make the decision though. I didn't have a ton of interviews to begin with so having to cancel one isn't the best situation....but it is what it is. Ugh. I'm just ready for this whole process to be over.

 

[j4pac]

The most important factors for getting an interview is step 1, then specialty LOR, then step 2. Other factors typically mean less unless you PS stands apart significantly.

The most important factors which determine where you rank are your interview and prior match violations. The rest of the factors are significantly lower on the list.

Bottom line: interview where you would like to go more.