missing dinners

[amyl]

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so i am trying to maximize my chances of matching and interviewing lots of places. the logistics are just not working out and i am going to miss some dinners. is this a big deal? i hate to send the message that i am not interested in their program or i am more interested in other places. truth is I would be pretty happy with any of my top 10 for various reasons. do you think programs look negatively at the fact that you can't come to the dinner. the program that i have to miss the dinner has a bbq at an attendings house...that seemed a little more involved than the just meet some residents at a restaurant.

 

[Varmit22]

I think most of the programs understand that applicants have a limited amount of time to go to interviews, and often the pre interview dinner is sacrificed. I don't think they look down at applicants for missing this. However, the dinner is always a good time to get to know faculty and other residents better which may improve match chances. Last year I ended up missing a few dinners, and the place I matched at I did not attend dinner.

 

[jennyboo]

so i am trying to maximize my chances of matching and interviewing lots of places. the logistics are just not working out and i am going to miss some dinners. is this a big deal? i hate to send the message that i am not interested in their program or i am more interested in other places. truth is I would be pretty happy with any of my top 10 for various reasons. do you think programs look negatively at the fact that you can't come to the dinner. the program that i have to miss the dinner has a bbq at an attendings house...that seemed a little more involved than the just meet some residents at a restaurant.

I don't know whether missing dinner is "frowned upon" or brings bad vibes to you, since I haven't seen it from the other side.

The interview season is a long stretch and all applicants have to travel and go to a lot of trouble to get to the interviews. There will be times when there is no way you'll make dinner the night before, and that's just reality. If you feel strongly about the program, I would encourage you to attend it if you can.

It comes up inevitably in casual conversation the next day with the program coordinator, interviewers, chief residents and tour guides: "Did you make it to dinner last night?" You will inevitably feel slightly awkward. It's much easier to be able to say "Yes, the filet mignon was great." But if you missed it, just say a dignified, regretful "No, unfortunately I couldn't make it to dinner last night", and move on.

 

[usnavdoc]

so i am trying to maximize my chances of matching and interviewing lots of places. the logistics are just not working out and i am going to miss some dinners. is this a big deal? i hate to send the message that i am not interested in their program or i am more interested in other places. truth is I would be pretty happy with any of my top 10 for various reasons. do you think programs look negatively at the fact that you can't come to the dinner. the program that i have to miss the dinner has a bbq at an attendings house...that seemed a little more involved than the just meet some residents at a restaurant.

Not sure about being frowned upon but you will be missing out on a few things. The residents that attend these dinners are asked to weigh in on the candidates suitability for the program. At least at my program we are.

As well as the opportunity to really see(as best you are going to) if the residents are happy and to ask them questions you may not want to ask during your interview session.

 

[amyl]

thankfully said program could accomodate me on another date so I will not have to miss the bbq.