Interview schedule

[p1ggy]

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I'm applying for the Pediatrics match and hoping to go on around 12 interviews. I was recently told by an advisor that I should schedule interviews at my top programs early on in the interview cycle. Unfortunately I currently have interviews at my top 2 scheduled as my last 2 interviews of the season and it's going to be hard for me to reschedule them at this point. Is it a huge disadvantage to interview at my top programs that late in the season?

 

[gutonc]

Stop listening to that advisor immediately.

The only downside to a late interview is that you'll be burned out by then. Otherwise, interview whenever you want.

And try to steer current 3rd years away from that idiot.

 

[p1ggy]

Is the burnout really bad at that point?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I agree the advice is stupid. As a PD, I'm happy to rank people from the last day at the top of my list, if that's where they belong. One of the big benefits of a match (rather than a rolling admissions system) is that it doesn't matter when you interview. Burnout is not usually a problem if you're interviewing at a place that you're really interested in.

 

[Ray D. Ayshun]

The advice is correct in that it's better to do your top interviews early so that they get done. For example, if you have an interview at your second choice scheduled for jan 25, and on jan 15 your top choice contacts you to interview at their place on the 25th after another applicant drops, you have a tough choice to make. In my estimation, it's best to do things early for this reason. at the same time, if you don't have a choice about scheduling late, enjoy 4th year instead of worrying about it.

 

[mvenus929]

You'll be fine. Don't worry about rescheduling.

And yes, come January, you will be sick of travelling and putting on a good face for programs. Happens to most people, but people still go on interviews through this.