is it ok to tell programs about current publications

[digoybugoy]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi guys and gals,

Just a quick question. I have had the fortune of having my 2 publications accepted in the past few weeks. One is already on pubmed and the other was accepted and coming out in Jan 2010. Is it ok to inform programs where I already interviewed at about this? I really want to match into any one these programs (uva, michigan,utsw, maryland, mayo, florida- in this order) and I couldn't think of going anywhere else. I'm in an allopathic school and have good step 1 and step 2 ck scores. Any opinions?

 

[Frugal Traveler]

Hi guys and gals,

Just a quick question. I have had the fortune of having my 2 publications accepted in the past few weeks. One is already on pubmed and the other was accepted and coming out in Jan 2010. Is it ok to inform programs where I already interviewed at about this? I really want to match into any one these programs (uva, michigan,utsw, maryland, mayo, florida- in this order) and I couldn't think of going anywhere else. I'm in an allopathic school and have good step 1 and step 2 ck scores. Any opinions?

The question is why not? You worked hard to get 2 publications, so sure tell them.

 

[digoybugoy]

I just dont want to appear to be a show off. I'm really doing this because my step 2 cs isn't until jan 8 and my scores wouldn't make it until after the match. I took it late because my school only requires us to take step 2 prior to graduation. I figure if I can show that Im an attractive candidate they will over look that little thing.

 

[ResidentMD]

I just dont want to appear to be a show off. I'm really doing this because my step 2 cs isn't until jan 8 and my scores wouldn't make it until after the match. I took it late because my school only requires us to take step 2 prior to graduation. I figure if I can show that Im an attractive candidate they will over look that little thing.

I believe a lot of candidates send their favorite programs an email close to ROL date.

You can do one of two things -

1. Email the PC to add it to your application, so when it comes up for ROL discussion, it may be on there.
2. Email the PD, if you feel that you are comfortable doing that (many PDs make you feel that way) with or without cc-ing the PC.
3. Once you are done with your interviews and ready with your ROL, email the PD that you plan to rank them highly or where you plan to rank them (esp your top 1/2) and add this to your letter (please be truthful as discussed on multiple threads). Also explain your CS situation.

There is always a polite way of doing things, which often involves writing sentences nicely. If you do that, PDs know you want to put your best into your application and come to the program. In SUCH a case, you will not be perceived as a showoff.

Emailing the PD or someone abruptly without the niceties and just listing the publications on the other hand, can come across as crass.

 

[Bike on a Trek]

I just dont want to appear to be a show off. .....

If you already included the articles in your application as "in press", then no I wouldn't remind them what you already told them. However, if your articles came up in your interviews, then it would be appropriate to send an email to your interviewer and let them know that the articles you discussed with them are now available.

If in your application you either didn't list the publications OR you listed them as "submitted" or "in preparation", then definitely you should let them know that the manuscripts you had listed as "submitted" or "in preparation" were accepted and now available.

 

[drdavemd]

Should you tell them? Yes.

Don't want to be a show-off? That's an appropriate hesitation, but it all depends on how you tell them. If it comes up in an interview, great, tell them all about it. You can try and steer the questions and your answers such that it gives you the opportunity to talk about your pubs, just try not to force it, and thereby look awkward. It can actually be a good reason to make secondary contact as well. Example: you have the interview, things go well, there is a lot of info, Q&A, etc. going on. After you leave and things "calm down", you send them your thank you note with a "by the way...".

As noted above, you got the pubs, so be proud! There are a lot of ways to bring it up without looking like a show-off. For the most part, interviewers should recognize the challenge of getting published and the pride of such as accomplishment.