Is it time to place a call?

[Asdf77]

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Like a lot of folks, I'm starting to freak out a bit about not being invited to certain places yet. I'm a decent applicant who wants to go to a big city, and I've gotten invites from solid (but not super famous) programs in big citites around the country that I'm happy with. Unfortuneately, I've completely struck out in one city; Chicago, the city that I have family in! I'm super disappointed that NONE of the programs there invited me yet.

So what should I do? Is there any way to try and get an interview or at least get on a wait list at this point based solely on the fact that I"m super interested in a certain program/geographic area? I assume it's too late to do a sub-I. Is this an appropriate time to ask my PD or mentor to place a phone call on my behalf?

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat, so feel free to share stories!

good luck everybody.

 

[Joel Fleischman]

Like a lot of folks, I'm starting to freak out a bit about not being invited to certain places yet. I'm a decent applicant who wants to go to a big city, and I've gotten invites from solid (but not super famous) programs in big citites around the country that I'm happy with. Unfortuneately, I've completely struck out in one city; Chicago, the city that I have family in! I'm super disappointed that NONE of the programs there invited me yet.

So what should I do? Is there any way to try and get an interview or at least get on a wait list at this point based solely on the fact that I"m super interested in a certain program/geographic area? I assume it's too late to do a sub-I. Is this an appropriate time to ask my PD or mentor to place a phone call on my behalf?

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat, so feel free to share stories!

good luck everybody.

I second this question!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Generally phone calls are placed by PDs and/or mentors after you have had an interview, but in this case, if they know someone at any of those programs, it can't hurt.

However, there is nothing wrong with calling them yourself, telling them how interested you are in their program and would like to interview there. As long as you only do it once, I see nothing wrong with it.

Finally, keep in mind that programs are still offering interviews.

 

[tontondavid]

Does this contacting them "once" rule apply to emails? I have sent an email to certain programs telling them I'll be in that area and I am really interested in their program...
Can I still call on top of that or would it be too much?

😳

 

[Winged Scapula]

Does this contacting them "once" rule apply to emails? I have sent an email to certain programs telling them I'll be in that area and I am really interested in their program...
Can I still call on top of that or would it be too much?

😳

I think it verges on "too much". Assuming you emailed the PD and haven't heard back, I'd take that as a "no thanks".

Then again, what have you got to lose at this point...if they aren't going to interview you and you call them and PO them, they still aren't going to interview you. Its not like they put your name into some central database of PITAs!

 

[Asdf77]

Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Perhaps if you are in Chicago over the holidays you could consider "dropping by" or even calling in advance, and saying that you'll be in town, would they perhaps consider interviewing you because you are "super interested".