Is it common to ask for interviews?

[MrSunny1]

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If I havent heard back from several programs. Should I be emailing program directors or coordinators asking them for interviews or just waiting patiently??

 

[Goro]

The entitlement is strong in this one.

 

[mmmcdowe]

It is very common to ask, it is very uncommon for it to make a positive difference

 

[Warderino92]

It is very common to ask, it is very uncommon for it to make a positive difference

Supposedly we had a guy get a interview at MGH because he kept asking them for interviews until he got one. Eventually matched there too. Had a high step score however and I believe was AOA.

 

[MrSunny1]

The entitlement is strong in this one.

Wow thanks loser... Please constructive responses only..

 

[Goro]

Ignorance is strong in this one as well. Don't be a special snowflake.

Wow thanks loser... Please constructive responses only..

 

[.hematoma.]

The entitlement is strong in this one.

How is this entitlement? Emailing a program you're interested in to ask for interviews is common.

 

[MrSunny1]

Quit trolling.... Dont you have anything better in life than just browsing SDN and trolling posts? I'm glad that brings so much light to your dark world. Thanks again.......

Ignorance is strong in this one as well. Don't be a special snowflake.

 

[gregoryhouse]

.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Supposedly we had a guy get a interview at MGH because he kept asking them for interviews until he got one. Eventually matched there too. Had a high step score however and I believe was AOA.

And on occasion perhaps it makes a difference but the issue is many cases of this the person was already slated to get an interview. Having someone call on your behalf is more effective.

I asked for an interview at Harvard and got one. To be fair, I had done an away rotation and got a LOR from there so I might have gotten the interview regardless but it doesn't hurt to ask.

And that's the issue with most of the "success stories" of calling/emailing/writing. The beaurocracy of selecting people for interviews makes it difficult to really circle back for every single letter/communication someone might send us. It isn't like medical school where there is an admissions department, these are doctors taking time out of their busy schedule to review applications, interview, etc.

 

[username456789]

When I was a resident, my program director with whom I was fairly close friends with showed me several emails from medical students asking for interviews and/or sending him specifically targeted emails to introduce themselves. 100% of them made a very negative impression

 

[MrChance2]

When I was a resident, my program director with whom I was fairly close friends with showed me several emails from medical students asking for interviews and/or sending him specifically targeted emails to introduce themselves. 100% of them made a very negative impression

Based on what they said or just based on the fact that the student emailed period?

 

[Tenk]

Unless you know the PD and have met them or you are such a good applicant the PD didn't give you an interview because they figured you were just using them for interview practice, don't do this. Their emails are exploding during interview season and tensions are high. Unless you are one of the above two cases you will more than likely receive a rejection email shortly thereafter.

 

[joker2400]

FWIW I sent 4 interest emails and recieved an interview offer from one of those programs 2 days later

 

[Psai]

Got an interview at Harvard without begging
Asked by sending them my eras

 

[username456789]

Based on what they said or just based on the fact that the student emailed period?

The latter.

 

[lal4life]

Probably around end of October last year, I selectively chose a handful of programs to contact, all of which I was very interested in but I had no connections to geographically so that may have been a knock on me at first glance. Why would I go there if I had no connections? And by a handful, it really was only ~5 programs. Also, I applied to a specialty that matches advanced and requires an intern year. Most of these were intern years in the city of an advanced program that I was interested in. Some were advanced. I ended up matching at an intern year that I contacted first, which ended up being my #1 program.

I also directed my initial reaponse at the program coordinator, not the director, politely and BRIEFLY expressing my interest in the program and requesting my application be considered. I got interviews at all but 1 program. Don't sound desperate, and don't keep pestering, but it really can't hurt by doing that now. If this was two weeks into the application, I would say wait. I know I'm just one example, but I'm really glad I did it.

 

[sliceofbread136]

The entitlement is strong in this one.

Please go... this is why if you have zero clue about the process you probably shouldn't post about it

 

[Goro]

Just listen to Dr Tenk, will ya?

Please go... this is why if you have zero clue about the process you probably shouldn't post about it

 

[evilbooyaa]

IMHO as I've said before I don't think these emails hurt but it's hard to say if they actually help. From my anecdotal experience they probably get your app looked at sooner than it would have otherwise but don't change the ultimate outcome.

Not sure why some are being so douchey about it though. It never hurts to push/ask if you're really interested in a program.

This. The worst thing they can do is say no and reject you.

I wouldn't do it 1 month into application season, but in December it's not a bad idea to hail mary out to a program that you really wanted to consider you.

Everyone trolling OP are some dicks. Yeah it may make you be seen negatively, but what the hell does that matter since you clearly won't be matching there anyways?

And yes, I'd recommend e-mailing the program coordinator (rather than the PD) given the number of e-mails the PD is likely getting around this time (and the clinical responsibilities and such).