intreviewer asking where you interviewd

[WallowaWanderer]

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At about 1/3 of my interviews, the PD or APD who interviewed me would ask where else I am interviewing. As I named the places, he would write them all down in his notes. THEN, he would say something like "is that all?" or "anywhere else," or "that's 10, any others?" This wasn't a friendly conversation starter, but what seemed like a very directed question asked for a specific reason. And I'm just curious what that reason is. BKN, do you do this in your interviews? Do you know why your colleagues do?

My ideas are:

1) To gauge competitiveness?
2) To gauge your geographic preferences?
3) Are you applying to other programs in the same genre (i.e. county/community/etc) or the same general competitiveness tier?
4) Talk to other PD's about you?
5) See if you're honest?

 

[2008EMorbust]

i think those are probably all part of it...one of the most important would be #4 (to talk with other PD's)...i heard they all do this at the end...

 

[dmitrinyr]

I would agree with 2008EMorbust, I think that all of the reasons that WW mentioned go into the reasoning for asking where else an applicant has interviewed but I think the major reason is to discuss the applicant with other PDs. One of my LOR is from a PD and at other interviews I have had other PDs comment on the letter and state that they have known that PD for years. In those situations you have to think that there is a good chance that that PD will contact the other PD to discuss me as an applicant and future EM resident.

 

[2008EMorbust]

and i'm guessing also to discuss how much interest YOU have shown in various places...more reason to be honest and ethical in your emails/conversations about ranking if you agree to disclose that information.

 

[deleted109597]

I find it to be close to sketchy to ask such things. They only ask it so they can put you in a category. That category may be 1. This person only interviewed at one program in this city/state/region,
2. This person interviewed at all the programs in this c/s/r,
3. In the middle.
Or, they can justify it based on community/academic/fusion types, IE if you tell them 9 county programs and they are the only community, they might wonder why. Because most if not all never ask for good justification, they just jot them down on your folder with the "mmhmm" noise, I rarely find it working in your favor. However, I'm sure lying can only hurt you more, and I would bet that they do communicate about other people as a means of jockeying (He said he loved us more, so don't rank him highly or he will hurt both of our rank lists).

Of note, I think they don't believe what we say anyway.

However, BKN as always would be the ultimate authority on this.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

However, BKN as always would be the ultimate authority on this.

He's probably busy talking with other PDs about us!

 

[EM2BE]

When I was at a conference, they did say they made unofficial phone calls to some PDs. Nothing is ever said directly about the applicants, but they use certain phrases like "that kid was a really good pole vaulter in high school." Then that is interpreted by the other PD inquiring. But, they did admit they don't actually say anything directly one way or the other.

 

[Pinner Doc]

At about 1/3 of my interviews, the PD or APD who interviewed me would ask where else I am interviewing. As I named the places, he would write them all down in his notes. THEN, he would say something like "is that all?" or "anywhere else," or "that's 10, any others?" This wasn't a friendly conversation starter, but what seemed like a very directed question asked for a specific reason. And I'm just curious what that reason is. BKN, do you do this in your interviews? Do you know why your colleagues do?

My ideas are:

1) To gauge competitiveness?
2) To gauge your geographic preferences?
3) Are you applying to other programs in the same genre (i.e. county/community/etc) or the same general competitiveness tier?
4) Talk to other PD's about you?
5) See if you're honest?

OMG, I got asked this nearly **everywhere**. I never understood it! One place contrasted other programs to theirs. Other places asked ME to contrast the differences in their program with other specific programs I had seen. It was a little unnerving, not understanding WHY.

 

[Pinner Doc]

I would agree with 2008EMorbust, I think that all of the reasons that WW mentioned go into the reasoning for asking where else an applicant has interviewed but I think the major reason is to discuss the applicant with other PDs. One of my LOR is from a PD and at other interviews I have had other PDs comment on the letter and state that they have known that PD for years. In those situations you have to think that there is a good chance that that PD will contact the other PD to discuss me as an applicant and future EM resident.

I'm not sure this makes sense to me. Aren't PDs, in a sense, vying for certain candidates? What do they gain from expressing interest/lack of interest in a particular candidate to another PD?

 

[Txed]

I got asked at what other places I had or would be interviewing almost on every single interview. Also, other things that I thought were off limits for interviewers to ask kept coming up.......it sort of bothererd me at first but later in the seaon I sort of expected it. It was weird!!

 

[that dr. jack]

I got asked at what other places I had or would be interviewing almost on every single interview. Also, other things that I thought were off limits for interviewers to ask kept coming up.......it sort of bothererd me at first but later in the seaon I sort of expected it. It was weird!!

i got asked where else i had applied mostly in the context of "are you going to be ok with leaving so cal?". i only mentioned a few of the places i had been to for each one though.

it was weird how most interviewers made a sigh of relief when i said i was married (as if the ring didn't tip them off) and some said they were glad i mentioned it first so they could ask me more about my husband without violating rules. after awhile, it was like the first thing i mentioned so i could put it on the table without them wondering and beating around the bush. they then asked what he does for a living and if he's ok with moving and if we had kids, etc. the response i usually got when i told them what he does is "IT, cool, so he can do that anywhere". sucks if he would have been like a marine biologist or something.

 

[Hercules]

OMG, I got asked this nearly **everywhere**. I never understood it! One place contrasted other programs to theirs. Other places asked ME to contrast the differences in their program with other specific programs I had seen. It was a little unnerving, not understanding WHY.

I'm a resident who interviews applicants for my program and I ask this almost every time. I also usually volunteer my rank order list. An interview is supposed to be a conversation not an interrogation, and this is just an easy common ground that we share. I applied just a few years ago and I'm happy to discuss the program and compare it and contrast it do other programs they've been to. I guess I thought it was helpful to hear why I ranked my program number one and why I liked other programs as well.

 

[WallowaWanderer]

I'm a resident who interviews applicants for my program and I ask this almost every time. I also usually volunteer my rank order list. An interview is supposed to be a conversation not an interrogation, and this is just an easy common ground that we share. I applied just a few years ago and I'm happy to discuss the program and compare it and contrast it do other programs they've been to. I guess I thought it was helpful to hear why I ranked my program number one and why I liked other programs as well.

Yeah, I think it can be great when the interviewer asks "so where have you been, what did you like?," you throw a few out, and a conversation starts. That happened to me about a third of the time, and about a third of the time there was no asking about where else I was interviewing, which was fine.

What I thought was weird were the times when the interviewer was writing every program down, double checking with me that he had them all, and then going on to another question. Sort of a "you show me yours, ok now let's move on" kind of thing.

 

[theCamel]

i think WW's experience where the interviewer jotting down the list is pure shadiness. it conveys a lot of insecurities on the program's part when they start getting into the nitty-gritty almost-defensive position of pointing out other programs' weaknesses.

one pd asked me to compare and contrast my away rotations v my home em rotation, which i thought was valid, and lead to a good discussion. however, convos that started like "so, where do you think you want to train?" or "do you think you'll want to stay at [home institution]?" are kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. talk badly about your home program it gets back to them/makes you look bad. talk them up, they'll think you want to stay, and won't take you seriously.

i wish programs would just rank people based on how much they liked them/the applicants' ability to thrive @ their program/EM in general. all of this politics nonsense not only seems wrong, but like pinner pointed out, counterintuitive to the programs disucssing people.

 

[ineedsleep]

I hated this question too. I had one PD who basically was looking at what competition he had getting me, which was a little ego boost, but a couple times I got this question and was very annoyed. One of my interviews started out with, "So where else are you interviewing?" At one of my aways the PD asked about where I was applying and said it was to help steer me away from the bad programs. I suggested that if he told me what the bad programs were and why that would be more helpful (I was still picking programs), but he said he couldn't because that would get back to the other PDs. I picked a variety of programs for a variety of reasons, so me just listing off my interviews really isn't helpful for figuring me out, figuring out my competitiveness, or figuring out where I want to go. The two programs that I have ranked as one and two never even asked where I was applying other than them. I didn't think about this fact till after the interview was over, but I think it made it a more laid back interview.

 

[GeneralVeers]

When I had to interview applicants this year, I did not ask this question. I believe it's inappropriate and really doesn't provide much useful information.

My interview was basically a screen for crazy. Is this a person I'd want to work with for 3 years?

 

[sleepymed]

i got asked where else i had applied mostly in the context of "are you going to be ok with leaving so cal?". i only mentioned a few of the places i had been to for each one though.

it was weird how most interviewers made a sigh of relief when i said i was married (as if the ring didn't tip them off) and some said they were glad i mentioned it first so they could ask me more about my husband without violating rules. after awhile, it was like the first thing i mentioned so i could put it on the table without them wondering and beating around the bush. they then asked what he does for a living and if he's ok with moving and if we had kids, etc. the response i usually got when i told them what he does is "IT, cool, so he can do that anywhere". sucks if he would have been like a marine biologist or something.

I am almost positive I met you on my interview trail! I had thought I might have earlier, but that story clinched it!

 

[Dr. Dukes]

When I had to interview applicants this year, I did not ask this question. I believe it's inappropriate and really doesn't provide much useful information.

I got asked this question on a lot of my med school interviews, and it really started to get to my. My last interview at the last school I visited was with this really stuffy obnoxious lady who kept giving me a hard time for nothing. I had already gotten in somewhere else (where I am now), and by the time I met with her I had decided I wasn't going to go to her school. She asked me and I said "I don't really think that is an appropriate question, and it is none of your business. I'll tell you where I've interviewed if you tell me who you've accepted." Don't think she liked it much, but it made me feel better...

 

[roja]

I tend to concur with the general vibe here. Asking to start a conversation is one thing but writing them down? Kind of odd.

I occasionally asked this question when conversations where difficult, thinking maybe that would start something but it was never what programs, just what regions are you applying to?

I know in our program, our PD and APD couldn't care less where else people were applying.

I don't know if other PD's actually call other places people interview. Now, if you did a rotation, I have known people who get calls, often to clarify something, and possibly bump someone higher up on a rank list.

 

[2008 EM Reviews]

I had one PD who asked me exactly where I interviewed and jotted them down on his paper. Then he kept asking me "is that all?" and I would add a few more that I interviewed at. He wrote every one of my 16 interviews on his piece of paper. Then he asked me what programs I liked and which programs I am going to rank in my top 3, including his program. It wasn't even the end of the interview day and he was asking me this (and I wasn't done with all of my interviews at other programs). So, I told him that I wasn't sure but I was going to rank one program from his program's area (I did 4 in the same city) in my top 3. So then he asked me which of the other three programs would I pick, excluding his program. I thought this was completely inappropriate, exhausting, and stressful and it went on for about 10 minutes.

 

[2008 EM Reviews]

Since I like you guys so much, I"ve decided to help you folks out here.

I"m a program director and read these threads occasionally. They're pretty funny actually. I'll break my code of "reading only" this one time and give you a PD view.

Why do we ask this question? Of course the answer is dependent upon the program director, everyone has their own reasons.

I ask this question occasionally because:

1. It's an easy ice breaker: I don't really care where you're interviewing so much as the programs but I'm interested in you and this match process is alot of travelling and expenditure so I ask out of respect for your investment. I don't ask it of everyone, and I don't have a strategy other than asking it whenever it seems a good question during our discussion, which is the same with just about every question I might ask. It's a conversation folks, don't read too much into it.

2. Sure, when you answer, I get a sense of your competitiveness; but I know that already since I've got your ERAS information. Don't read too much into this rationale. However, it does also give me an idea of what your interests are and your priorities. If you are a mountain biker and you're interviewing at Miami and New York City programs, for example - this gives me some insight into your interests and the weight they play on your residency selection. PDs don't hold these concepts for/or against you, at least I don't, it's basically just another element you can tell me about yourself that I can't find on the ERAS information. Also, it tells me something about your fit for my program.

3. I love the discussion about program directors talking to each other. Everytime this discussion comes up in these threads, it's just great because the misinformation is really astounding. Yes program directors talk to one another. Mostly this is when I call the PD at your school to ask them about you. I only do this if you already have a letter of reference from this person. Some program directors do this, others don't. Most PDs likely do it for a few just to get some final information. Occasionally it affects your standing on the match list, particularly if your PD says, "Oh XXXXXXX? He's really great! And we're going to keep him here, he's definitely going to stay with us here in (you fill in the blank) and we just settled that the other day." Really, most PDs simply don't have the time to call a bunch of others. We call a few, mostly people we know well, particularly if there is a "pipeline" between a medical school and the program that is a mutually beneficial relationship. A pipeline is basically a medical school matching someone in EM into a certain program each year, "Who's it going to be this year?" Remember, I'm working on placing my medical students as well, this motivates me to call on their behalf more commonly than inquiring about applicants.

4. Asking you to compare programs? This is another great one, lots of fun reading the replies there. See #1 above, don't read too much into it. I ask this question of some people, usually because it tells me your priorities and interests. "Tell me something about this place you rotated?" When you then say it was too busy, and I know my program is busier - then I"ve just gotten some useful information about your fit. Maybe you reply that you liked the program because everyone was taller than 6 feet. Again, useful to me because I know the people in my program are shorter than 5 feet. No, PDs are not looking for you to bash your program, and even if you did (this rarely happens) then we'd be unlikely to communicate it back to the program, at least I've never done that since our discussion is confidential to a degree and if I"m asking you your honest opinion, of course I"m not then going to come after you for giving it to me.

A final comment. PDs in any specialties are like the birds up in the sky (I'm sure I'll get roasted for that one, but I like birds, particularly flamingoes so the comparison comes to mind). We've all got feathers and wings which in this case are fortunately our love for Emergency Medicine and for residents. However, some PDs are big, some are small. Some are aggressive, some rather not; etc, etc. So don't characterize us as a group. And, just because one PD asked you something peculiar, or is strange, or whatever doesn't mean we all are. We're a diverse bunch with a diverse rationale for doing the things we do.

Find a PD that suits your style and interests, and hopefully a program that does the same and rank it #1.

Good luck.

 

[BKN]

He's probably busy talking with other PDs about us!

"We meet in Vegas, take in a few shows, get drunk and then put your apps up on a screen and laugh at the biggest whoopers.",

Despite the jokes I made a couple of years ago, I don't discuss applicants with other PDs unless the applicant asks me so to do. I don't think most of my colleagues do either.

I may occasionally ask an applicant where else he's been, usually one of my own advisees, mostly to give advice. I'm pretty circumspect about this with those I don't know well. I don't want to be seen as competing or putting down another shop.

cheers, bn

 

[that dr. jack]

I am almost positive I met you on my interview trail! I had thought I might have earlier, but that story clinched it!

uh oh, hopefully i didn't make an a$$ of myself.

where did we meet? was there overly greasy chinese food involved?

 

[sleepymed]

uh oh, hopefully i didn't make an a$$ of myself.

where did we meet? was there overly greasy chinese food involved?

i believe it was over sandwiches during the interview lunch! you were very sweet and really pretty... (at least who I think you are...)

do you have a cat?

 

[that dr. jack]

i believe it was over sandwiches during the interview lunch! you were very sweet and really pretty... (at least who I think you are...)

do you have a cat?

i have two....

PM me and let me know where it was- the idea of meeting people from SDN is so cool, even if i only find out after the fact.

 

[jascher]

This is an interesting thread, and I wondered the same thing during my interviews about the appropriateness of the question. I can only think of one time where it was particularly unnerving...the interviewer furiously scribbled each program down, going back to get ones she missed, and raising others to see if perhaps I had left them out. Kind of annoying to be asked if I got interviews at every program in the region, and to have to respond negatively to some, or say I didn't apply there.

The attending who posted on here does a good job making the question seem innocent, and I fully believe that it is to him...but I'm not convinced that everyone treats it the same way. Maybe I'm just paranoid. I don't even know what I should or shouldn't post anymore (at least until after program ranklists are certified), seeing as my SDN handle does little to hide my identity.