Interview/Match Paranoia

[Dr. Curtis]

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I think that I'm a relatively good applicant and had interviews at some strong programs, but when it comes to interviews of any kind I tend to become very nervous and quiet, and probably am not able to stand out very well amongst the 100's of other applicants interviewed. So my question is how much weight to programs put on the interview itself? Are all applicants, once they are offered an interview, put on a level playing field and the program's rank order is based solely on the interview? If not, how much does a ho-hum interview affect an applicant's chances?
I've heard that most applicant's match in their top 3, but my top 3 are all pretty competitive and just based on interviews I'm not feeling too confident.
Or maybe I'm just being an idiot, maybe everyone feels this way about their interviews, especially at this point in the year???

 

[Dr. Will]

Did I post this under an alternative name? This is EXACTLY how I'm feeling at this exact moment. You aren't alone! Take some comfort from that.

 

[SolidGold]

Let me join in this group! I think it's natural to feel this way.

 

[Dr. Will]

I'm waiting for BKN to chime in and repost his Matchitis info. He'll probably also tell us that we are big babies.

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Most every place I have been to have said that once you got the interviews, everyone is on a *nearly* level playing field and that the interview can knock you down the list as much as bring you up.

Obviously, if you have two people who interviewed identical, and one has stellar scores compared to the other; then the scores will kick in but probably only a limited amount.

I would think there is a point of diminished returns.. is there seriously much of a difference in a 182 to 240 as far as the applicants performance on the job? I'v met people whom I felt were dumb as bricks when we round and later they tell me they got like a 235 (still wonder if they lied) and yet others are top notch on top of everything and barely passed...

Others will chime in with much more experience (I am in the same boat as you guys being a MSIV) but it certainly appears like the interviews are nothing more than a 'can we work with/put up with this guy for 3 years... at 3am when everyone is tired and someone else is wanting lortab...' I do not have a stellar academic record, and yet on 11 interviews any reference to my academic record has been brought up only twice...and both of those were places who had an interviewer whose job was to 'ask about your academics'. That certainly led me more to believe that scores and such matter most for that initial invite....

 

[SolidGold]

Obviously, if you have two people who interviewed identical, and one has stellar scores compared to the other; then the scores will kick in but probably only a limited amount.

From what I hear, SLORs would generally be the thing they will look at just before scores, but this may not be the case everywhere of course. It's like you said, they want to know if we would be good to work with at 3am when things get tiring, or when the crap hits the fan. So logically, the interview and the SLORs will give them a better sense of that.

 

[SecretReviewer]

One top program told me about how they rank applicants, and it didn't come up on any of other interviews (11 total).

Apparently, they score every part of your application (who knows what the categories are), then add it up to your raw score. All candidates are then lined up top to bottom. Faculty then get together, look and talk over the list, and people are moved up or down depending on what sounded like subjective/other criteria.

 

[deleted109597]

Can we not talk about this until, oh, April?

 

[membsr-8890]

One top program told me about how they rank applicants, and it didn't come up on any of other interviews (11 total).

Apparently, they score every part of your application (who knows what the categories are), then add it up to your raw score. All candidates are then lined up top to bottom. Faculty then get together, look and talk over the list, and people are moved up or down depending on what sounded like subjective/other criteria.

Hah! and I thought I was a dork for using a scoring algorithm. I feel better that the programs do it, too.

 

[SecretReviewer]

One top program told me about how they rank applicants, and it didn't come up on any of other interviews (11 total).

Apparently, they score every part of your application (who knows what the categories are), then add it up to your raw score. All candidates are then lined up top to bottom. Faculty then get together, look and talk over the list, and people are moved up or down depending on what sounded like subjective/other criteria.

I've been told about this system at several interviews (in particular by the residents I spent time with on rotations) and most others have hinted towards the system.

As a side note, I've also noticed a couple interviewers writing my scores down as they interview me. (not just USMLE scores, but the scores for each ranking area).

 

[Emergen-C]

One of the only postives to schlepping myself all over the country was that I met several applicants whose 1st choices were programs I had interviewed at and decided not to rank at all. Prior to the interview trail, I had ZERO faith in the match. Now I do have a little faith, however I am still having major match anxiety--ah xanax.

 

[deleted109597]

As a side note, I've also noticed a couple interviewers writing my scores down as they interview me. (not just USMLE scores, but the scores for each ranking area).

I've noticed it at a few places as well. At one program I rotated at, the chief just had the form laying in front of me during our typical "shoot the breeze" interview.

Did anyone else go through about 75% of their interviews feeling that the only things the person who interviewed you knew afterwards was what was in your file, and how good of a conversationalist you were? I swear, a ton of my interviews involved no questions at all.

 

[lucky_deadman]

I've noticed it at a few places as well. At one program I rotated at, the chief just had the form laying in front of me during our typical "shoot the breeze" interview.

Did anyone else go through about 75% of their interviews feeling that the only things the person who interviewed you knew afterwards was what was in your file, and how good of a conversationalist you were? I swear, a ton of my interviews involved no questions at all.

Ditto.

 

[Jeff698]

Did anyone else go through about 75% of their interviews feeling that the only things the person who interviewed you knew afterwards was what was in your file, and how good of a conversationalist you were? I swear, a ton of my interviews involved no questions at all.

That's really by design. If there is important data that a program needs, they ask for it in the application. Think about it, all the core data that says you're a smart medical student capable of passing the EM board exams is in the application. That's a given or you wouldn't have gotten the interview.

They want to know if they will like working with you over the next three years or whether they'll want to kill you in one shift 'cause you're just that annoying.

While not fullproof, you'd be surprised how much you can tell from just talking with people for 20 or 30 minutes. That's why many places don't have specific questions. They just want to know what kind of person you are.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[BadVB750]

I loved my interviews were I just got to shot the breeze. The interviews that sucked were the ones were the interviewer had a list of questions to ask. I have one more to go and can't wait for it to be over. Who started putting their rank list together on NRMP?

 

[roja]

Hmmmm, lets see. We have 'forms' too. But I can tell you that in the end, it really just comes down to how you did in the interviews (why we interview with several people). We have put people with Step scores that are higher than I thought possible with publications/research and great grades/LOR's and put thiem in essense into our 'no rank' quartile.

And we have put people with mediocre scores, average grades who were amzing on interview and ranked them in the 'absolute top'.

When we have several 'stunners' based primarily on personal interview skills, we will fall back on scores to determine who will be first and who will be second.

I wouldn't worry about your 'skills'. Many people are shy. That doesn't translate to a bad interview.

You will be fine.

 

[BKN]

I'm waiting for BKN to chime in and repost his Matchitis info. He'll probably also tell us that we are big babies.

Consider it done. 😀

Seriously, you're not being big babies. This is the time for anxiety. Enjoy it for what it is, temporary insanity. It'll be OK on match day.

 

[AR1776]

And we have put people with mediocre scores, average grades who were amzing on interview and ranked them in the 'absolute top'.

What exactly makes an amazing interview? Is it just a click or right fit between the interviewer ad interviewee or what? I guess I don't have a clue if I've been a stunner or a dud. I seem to make good conversation and they're never awkward to me but who knows.

 

[em4me]

Unless you say something completely outlandish (i.e. "I'm allergic to work" or "What's a central line?") or rude on your interview and hold a half decent conversation, life is fine. If you basically keep true to who you are, then I think most interviewers can get a decent feel for who you are as a potential resident. Of course there are interviews where you are laughing and feel like you made a connection but I do not think an interview lacking hilarious jokes and the exchange of touching life stories is not a success.

Frankly, I think every applicant should be given Ativan during the month of February or at least be given a straight jacket as a precaution. Bottom line is (and I say this from the experience of going through the Match before in another specialty before converting to EM and yes..facing the Match yet again) try to stay calm and realize that you are in the company of thousands of other stressed out, neurotic, self-doubting medical students who will all do just fine.

 

[deleted109597]

What about taking beta blockers before interviews (and now in February)?
Anyone else have success in this?

 

[BadVB750]

I like to drink one or two beers the night before, makes me sleep good and I wake up relaxed.

 

[deleted109597]

I wish they would let me stop at 2 the night before. Some places the residents appear to want you to get drunk.

 

[roja]

What exactly makes an amazing interview? Is it just a click or right fit between the interviewer ad interviewee or what? I guess I don't have a clue if I've been a stunner or a dud. I seem to make good conversation and they're never awkward to me but who knows.

I guess some of it is about click, but really its just about the ease of conversation, sincerity, in general, the question that invariably gets asked in our sessions is 'would I want to be working with this person for 12 hours????'.

sounds like you did a good job so I wouldn't worry!