interview spots gone within minutes

[kwel]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

One of the MS4s applying ophtho told me that he would sometimes get interview invitations, but when he would respond to the email (maybe 1-2 hrs later) the spots would already be filled. Is this true or an exaggeration? How many of you experienced something like this? I can't imagine being able to respond so promptly if you're on rotation (e.g. in the OR, in places without good WiFi)

 

[ophthotwenty13]

100% true. u may still get a spot to interview but it will conflict with others for sure if you reply late.

plan ahead of time to be on a rotation where you can answer your phone immediately.

 

[Tiburon]

One of the MS4s applying ophtho told me that he would sometimes get interview invitations, but when he would respond to the email (maybe 1-2 hrs later) the spots would already be filled. Is this true or an exaggeration? How many of you experienced something like this? I can't imagine being able to respond so promptly if you're on rotation (e.g. in the OR, in places without good WiFi)

Not all spots will be gone. Typically they will email you and let you choose from around 3 interview dates. From my experience, there is usually 1 date most people want that doesn't conflict with interview dates at other schools, and those do fill up within an hour. So, not all spots will be gone but often the desirable dates will be.

 

[ophthope]

One of the MS4s applying ophtho told me that he would sometimes get interview invitations, but when he would respond to the email (maybe 1-2 hrs later) the spots would already be filled. Is this true or an exaggeration? How many of you experienced something like this? I can't imagine being able to respond so promptly if you're on rotation (e.g. in the OR, in places without good WiFi)

I had a couple of invites that I responded to within 30 minutes and the only dates I could accept were already filled. So yes, it's important to be as prompt as possible. It's also hard to not be on any rotation during the prime invitation months. Usually, everyone understands. I put my phone on vibrate and checked it whenever it buzzed. Interviewing a patient, I checked it. Doc talking to patient? I checked it. Just for a split second to make sure it was or was not an invitation. If it was I excused myself from the situation and responded to the email or called the program. Doctors are people too and they should understand that this is a very important time for you and you need to respond quickly. All the Ophthalmologists I was with really understood, and if the other attendings didn't; well their reactions or evaluation of me as an MS4 literally have zero impact on my future and missing an interview invite would have. Being scrubbed into surgery makes it harder but if you're just observing from the back, you can still pop that phone out.

You've got a lot more leeway for doing this kind of stuff as a fourth year than you did as a third year.

 

[Slide]

When I was a MS4, there was one I received via e-mail, and I called within 15 min of getting the e-mail. Of the three dates available, only one date was left, and the spots were nearly gone. In addition, I was taking Step 2 CK when I got another e-mail, and I called within 45 min of getting the e-mail. I got the last spot available!

With smartphones being commonplace, it's the norm to have interview slots fill up within 30 min of the invites going out, so you have to be ready to call as soon as you get it. It's not fun and sucks, but that's how it is now for competitive specialties. Make sure your attendings know beforehand at the first day of the rotation so they know what's up; most will be understanding since they know that if you're a MS4, you're either taking that rotation voluntarily or doing it as something to graduate.

 

[ophtho4321]

I made a new gmail for SF match and made that the only email address that went to my phone from September-November, so every time my phone vibrated when I was in clinic I knew it was an interview-related email. I highly recommend doing this. Responded to every one within a minute and got all the dates I requested