Invitation to interview.. but nobody answering phone

[Flopotomist]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Three days ago, I received an invitation to interview at a program. I called back within minutes of getting the email and left a voice mail. No returned call. Left another message the next day, and sent an email. No response. Today is the third day, and still... no response. Is this normal? Anybody else having this same challenge?

 

[Seville]

Three days ago, I received an invitation to interview at a program. I called back within minutes of getting the email and left a voice mail. No returned call. Left another message the next day, and sent an email. No response. Today is the third day, and still... no response. Is this normal? Anybody else having this same challenge?

Ugh! that would stress me out. I hope they get back to you soon. I did have one program which sent an invitation on a Friday then did not reply back to my email until Tuesday afternoon. I just figured (hoped) the PC was out of town or something.

 

[Gentle]

I had a similar experience where I was sent an email for inv. I replied within a couple of hrs and didn't hear back till about a wk later. You'll surely hear back from them sooner than later.

Good luck!

 

[Frugal Traveler]

Three days ago, I received an invitation to interview at a program. I called back within minutes of getting the email and left a voice mail. No returned call. Left another message the next day, and sent an email. No response. Today is the third day, and still... no response. Is this normal? Anybody else having this same challenge?

E-mail them and keep calling q 24 hrs paying attention to regional time zones (like don't call Wyoming at 8 AM EST).

 

[synapse lapse]

I would give it a couple of days. They obviously recieved your email and messages, and will definitely get to them. I sympathise with this as I was offered a last minute invite and needed to reschedule a place, and couldn't get ahold of the PC. I just scheduled it anyhow and the next day called the PC and turns out she was sick - so maybe your PC is sick or out of town.

 

[Flopotomist]

Thanks everybody for the posts. It is a nerve-wracking process, and thoughts like "maybe the invite was sent in error, and they are wondering who the heck I am" keep going through my head.

I will keep leaving messages Q24hrs.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

Thanks everybody for the posts. It is a nerve-wracking process, and thoughts like "maybe the invite was sent in error, and they are wondering who the heck I am" keep going through my head.

I will keep leaving messages Q24hrs.

I would call every 24 hours... but I wouldn't leave messages... you don't want to be that applicant with the nickname "Scream IV" or something like that. They probably received your first message... but instead of playing Farmville (which I recently read was the newest way to waste your precious life), I think some program coordinators are incredibly thoughtful and wait until most in the invite batch respond so they can optimize everyone's date. For instance, if your first choice is the only time another applicant can come, they sort that out and give you your second choice so everyone can come and interview there.

Program coordinators are salt of the earth... it's a tough job dealing medical students for anyone!

 

[Flopotomist]

Invite arived Monday, it is now Friday. Still nobody has returned my call, or email. I am trying hard to not let this cloud my impression of this program, but geesh... this is just rude and unprofessional at this point!

 

[chanjurban]

Invite arived Monday, it is now Friday. Still nobody has returned my call, or email. I am trying hard to not let this cloud my impression of this program, but geesh... this is just rude and unprofessional at this point!

Hi. I had a very similar experience. I couldn't get a person on the phone. Was only able to communicate via email. I had a post about it earlier: "did I commit a faux pas". In the end, my interview was scheduled and then mistakenly cancelled by them b/c my ability to communicate with the program was so poor. That kind of wierdness doesn't really speak well about the program - so by all means, let it cloud your impression b/c it's the only impression you have right now. You aren't by any chance applying to an FM program down south are you?

chanjurban

 

[Flopotomist]

Hi. I had a very similar experience. I couldn't get a person on the phone. Was only able to communicate via email. I had a post about it earlier: "did I commit a faux pas". In the end, my interview was scheduled and then mistakenly cancelled by them b/c my ability to communicate with the program was so poor. That kind of wierdness doesn't really speak well about the program - so by all means, let it cloud your impression b/c it's the only impression you have right now. You aren't by any chance applying to an FM program down south are you?

chanjurban

I can't even communicate by email, I have tried. I have called and left messages with the coordinator as well as the coordinator's assistant. For good measure after 5 days, I left a voice mail with the department secretary too. Short of gettin on a plane, flying there, knocking on the door and asking to schedule an interview, I am not sure what else I should do. I really like this program too, and am excited about the interview (if I could ever schedule it).

... and no, it isn't a FM program, it is an EM program.

 

[LucidSplash]

I can't even communicate by email, I have tried. I have called and left messages with the coordinator as well as the coordinator's assistant. For good measure after 5 days, I left a voice mail with the department secretary too. Short of gettin on a plane, flying there, knocking on the door and asking to schedule an interview, I am not sure what else I should do. I really like this program too, and am excited about the interview (if I could ever schedule it).

... and no, it isn't a FM program, it is an EM program.

A friend of mine is having the same difficulty with an EM program. I wonder if its the same one. Perhaps something has happened to the program coordinator? Sorry for your difficulties... this would drive me nuts!

 

[PhakeDoc]

I had a similar episode happen with one of the top programs in the country. I asked the PC several questions via email (like at what time the interview would end so I could schedule a flight to another interview that night and perhaps get to the residents dinner), got no response, asked again, waited a week, no response. Finally, when I called, the PC acted like nothing had happened. It really chafed me, and my opinion of the program really plummeted even though it's the best in the subspecialty area I want to pursue. Furthermore, I found out something similar happened with a friend who is a year ahead last year. Pretty poor form if you ask me.

 

[JPeds]

Keep in mind the sheer volume of emails many of these PCs receive...I know one of the programs I am applying to has quoted receiving more than 1,700 applications last year...and they interview close to 400. With emails going back and forth between PC and applicants (those invited already making arrangements and those waiting to hear), it does not surprise me that emails occasionally go unanswered. I would not let it color my perception of the program as a whole, unless the impression was reinforced by my visit on interview day. You could be missing out on your best match because of a potential lost/accidentally deleted/forgotten email.

 

[dmitrinyr]

Keep in mind the sheer volume of emails many of these PCs receive...I know one of the programs I am applying to has quoted receiving more than 1,700 applications last year...and they interview close to 400. With emails going back and forth between PC and applicants (those invited already making arrangements and those waiting to hear), it does not surprise me that emails occasionally go unanswered. I would not let it color my perception of the program as a whole, unless the impression was reinforced by my visit on interview day. You could be missing out on your best match because of a potential lost/accidentally deleted/forgotten email.

I agree with the above post. It's realistic to assume that if someone gets dozens of emails per day, that some of them might get lost or not get a reply. I would call often instead of sending out multiple emails. Try to refrain passing judgement onto a program based on these things unless the same is seen during interview day.

 

[Flopotomist]

Today marks exactly one week since I received the invitation to interview. I have called daily and left messages every other day. I have sent emails every other day. I realize this is a busy time of year, but every other program that has offered an invitation has responded in a much more timely fashion.

Frustrated.

 

[mcl]

Today marks exactly one week since I received the invitation to interview. I have called daily and left messages every other day. I have sent emails every other day. I realize this is a busy time of year, but every other program that has offered an invitation has responded in a much more timely fashion.

Frustrated.

Is there an alternate phone number you could try? Perhaps going online to find the Chair's office line, or a random faculty member within the department. Explain that you are an applicant who received an interview invitation but have not been able to make contact with the PC to confirm that you are coming. The secretary at the program might be able to let you know what's going on (such as, the PC has been out with H1N1 and no one has the pass codes to access email or voice mail) or give you a way around the system (like a back line phone number).

It's worth a try, at least.

 

[Seville]

Today marks exactly one week since I received the invitation to interview. I have called daily and left messages every other day. I have sent emails every other day. I realize this is a busy time of year, but every other program that has offered an invitation has responded in a much more timely fashion.

Frustrated.

I haven't gotten a response from my program also which I am having the same issue. It's making me really think less of the program, to be honest.