JANUARY Interviews ?? Is it better to schedule earlier??

[SleepyTime]

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I am wondering if anyone knows if there is an advantage to scheduling interviews for the Fall or Early Winter instead of for January.

Thanks for all your help !

 

[Idiopathic]

I plan on scheduling some in January and maybe in early February, depending on the program. With that said, its probably better to go early than late/

 

[Aislin]

Although I've heard that if you schedule later they will have a stronger impression of you instead of 'who was that guy again?' during ranking sessions.

 

[bogatyr]

Last year I scheduled a vacation month in January, planning to do the majority of my interviews then. What I found was that most programs do most of their interviews in December. The specific problem I had was that UCLA finished all their interviews in Nov/Dec and were not scheduling any interviews in January. I told them I was interested but couldn't come, and they contacted me a month later when they decided to have one interview day in January. So, if a program offers a later date, by all means take it, but don't bank on programs scheduling interviews in January or February.

 

[Carm]

I did most of my interviews in the fall. This is the way I handled things. Got most of my interviews over before Christmas, and then based on what I saw during the interview process set up a second look (or second looks if it applies to you). The interview process for residency, as opposed to medical school, is as much about you as it is for the programs. They are trying to sell themselves to you. I was never that concerned about timing of my interviews. I was a month late getting my ERAS done, then went to whatever date the programs set up for me. I felt that the best way to make your application personal was either an away rotation, or just a scheduled second look where you have the chance to let the program know how much you liked it, and it is very high on your list. It might seem insincere if you fall all over yourself at your regular interview, but a second look makes your interest sincere. This is not at all necessary, but every little bit helps.

 

[Zeffer]

A strategy that worked well for me was to schedule a practice interview at a program that I had no interest in attending for whatever reason. That was my worst interview ever. The only place to go from there was up. Next I interviewed at my home program. It was nice to be around people rooting for me. After that I had a few more good interviews and then burn out hit so I stopped. Everyone is different, but this worked well for me.

 

[chicamedica]

I talked with a program today, who only offered dates in November right now(none of which I can make because of an away rotation). The lady said that they will be offering later dates, but they want these dates to fill first. So I scheduled for the one date that I will not be on my away anymore (but will be the first day of another rotation, which I hesitate to be absent for). Will it be rude if I reschedule for sometime later, like call back in a couple of weeks when the december/january interview dates will be open? Is that bad form?

 

[aredoubleyou]

Will it be rude if I reschedule for sometime later, like call back in a couple of weeks when the december/january interview dates will be open? Is that bad form?

Which ever program is doing this (I'd be curious to know by the way), has a very one-sided attitude, and is not very considerate of your preferences/ obligations/ etc. Maybe by the time you want to reschedule you'll have so many interviews you'll just cancel if they can't accommodate you! Good luck 🙂

 

[supahfresh]

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is an advantage to scheduling interviews for the Fall or Early Winter instead of for January.

Thanks for all your help !

the interview season is very weird. In the beginning you're rusty. In the middle, you're on the top of your game with the right amount of enthusiasm and know how to interview well. By the end you're exhausted and broke from all the travel expenses.

After you've seen what you like and what you don't like, you can go back for second looks.