Is it offensive to ask the PD about the reason for rejection?

[donaldtang]

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I've just received an interview rejection from a program where I did away rotation.
This is an community based internal medicine program, not competitive, a large program with 100+ residents, 80% residents are FMG that need visas. I'm FMG, recently graduated, 240s in both steps, 6 months of USCE, one LOR from faculty of this program, and 3 LORs from other attendings. From my understanding, the PD of this program seemed to have a very good impression on me during the rotation. That's why I'm so confused.
I'm considering sending the PD an email to figure out the reason for rejection, as it may help me if I send application to additional programs or if by any chance I have to reapply next year.
Do you think it is appropriate for me to write to the PD? And how to organize the language so it sounds nice and polite?

 

[turkeyjerky]

Yeah, in this case it seems appropriate to write him to find out why you were rejected. Sorry, don't have much input on the wording the email (but I doubt it'd be important either way).

 

[HumbleMD]

I've just received an interview rejection from a program where I did away rotation.
This is an community based internal medicine program, not competitive, a large program with 100+ residents, 80% residents are FMG that need visas. I'm FMG, recently graduated, 240s in both steps, 6 months of USCE, one LOR from faculty of this program, and 3 LORs from other attendings. From my understanding, the PD of this program seemed to have a very good impression on me during the rotation. That's why I'm so confused.
I'm considering sending the PD an email to figure out the reason for rejection, as it may help me if I send application to additional programs or if by any chance I have to reapply next year.
Do you think it is appropriate for me to write to the PD? And how to organize the language so it sounds nice and polite?

Inappropriate? Not really. Annoying and bothersome? Probably. But with a rejection, you don't have a whole lot to lose. And learning about any red-flags on your ap would be helpful and inform if you need to apply even more broadly by the Nov 1st deadline.

I'm guessing you didn't make as good an impression as you thought (don't worry - we're all horrible assessors of ourselves). Maybe word it asking if there were "specific areas for improvement" the PD would recommend?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

In general, asking why you were not selected is not helpful. You're most likely going to get a generic answer such as "Our applicant pool was just more competitive this year". However, in this case (where you actually rotated at the program and hence had some face time), I think it would be reasonable to ask. You could ask the PD and see what happens. You could also ask a faculty member with whom you worked and knows you well, and they might be able to clarify things.

 

[adagio]

Hello aProgDirector!

I am more of an agnostic and not a pastafarian, but I guess its better than nothing 😀

I have a question:

I graduated in 2010, have worked in research until now, published a couple of papers, and presented posters as well as oral presentations in north america.

I also have US experience as a subintern in the US for a couple of months. My USMLE scores are (262 and 274) respectively, and all usmles passed with first attempt. I have some other small accomplishments as well ...

So far I got only rejections, and the interviews I got are really bad/mediocre places. I wonder whats wrong in my application.

Do you think they are reading my application at all? or are they just filtering me out because i am an IMG (I only applied to programs that explicitly mentioned acceptance of IMGs on J1 or H1 visas)

Thank you very much for your help

 

[Buzz Me]

What field are you applying to? Did you apply to only academic programs? Do you have US LORs?

 

[adagio]

Hi Buzz, thanks for replying. I have 4 US LORs (I didnt read them, but I know that they are great), and I am applying to Internal Medicine widely ....im really upset

 

[mlw03]

Hi Buzz, thanks for replying. I have 4 US LORs (I didnt read them, but I know that they are great), and I am applying to Internal Medicine widely ....im really upset

Is there more you are failing to volunteer? With those credentials I would think you would be getting interviews.

 

[adagio]

Hi Mlw03 ... If anything I am really neglecting to mention other positive accomplishments that I have tried to pursue during my academic career ... The only draw back is perhaps my alma mater (i graduated from a third world country, definitely not recognized in the US, but i thought that was my USCE and my research and publications, as well as scores, I would have a chance in the big names).

My fear is that the programs are filtering me out based on the alma mater without reading my CV ... Would that be possible?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

In order to help, I'll be PM'ing the poster

 

[adagio]

Thank you so much aProgDirector. Thats exactly what the flying spaghetti monster would do 😀

 

[NotAProgDirector]

His Noodliness works in mysterious ways. All of those ways include parmesan cheese, however.

 

[Knicks]

In order to help, I'll be PM'ing the poster

Wish you would've posted it here. I was looking forward to reading your input...

 

[adagio]

This should imbue me with some faith 😀 but I have been infected by those blasphemous memes of Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, and Harris too much unfortunately 😀 (They don't call them the four horsemen for nothing!!! 😛)

 

[Shoushu]

Wish you would've posted it here. I was looking forward to reading your input...

Me too. Was looking forward to aPD's insight. "I also have US experience as a subintern in the US for a couple of months. My USMLE scores are (262 and 274) respectively, and all usmles passed with first attempt. I have some other small accomplishments as well ..."

That guy accomplished alot, esp. from not-so-recognized school from 3rd-world. What country? Achieved Step I of 262, and Step II of 274? That's very high, congrats! I'd think the highest programs see is about 280! If those progs accept visa, then it means they're not favoring US-IMGs or Green Cards more.

Suspect filtering.

 

[HumbleMD]

Me too. Was looking forward to aPD's insight. "I also have US experience as a subintern in the US for a couple of months. My USMLE scores are (262 and 274) respectively, and all usmles passed with first attempt. I have some other small accomplishments as well ..."

That guy accomplished alot, esp. from not-so-recognized school from 3rd-world. What country? Achieved Step I of 262, and Step II of 274? That's very high, congrats! I'd think the highest programs see is about 280! If those progs accept visa, then it means they're not favoring US-IMGs or Green Cards more.

Suspect filtering.

Maybe a history of CS failure?

 

[adagio]

Hello friends,

aProgDirector suggested that the better programs are still reviewing american graduates, and did not send IMGs like myself interviews yet. He also said that the less competitive programs might have rejected me because they figured out I wont go there, and they decided not to waste time with my application.

I am thankful to your feedback, and wish you the best of luck in your applications and your future careers.

 

[adagio]

Hi HumbleMD,

I have passed all USMLEs on first attempt. I agree, a CS failure is a big red flag nowadays when it comes to IMGs.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Beat me to it. I did ask the OP for more private information, hence the PM.

 

[Buzz Me]

Scenario seems a little strange. Anything else questionable on your app?

 

[adagio]

aProgDirector checked the application personally and commented that there was nothing wrong about it. He said that its still early for good programs to invite IMGs, so I hope that the next period will bring some luck to my ERAS inbox!