Nervous about interviewing at big name programs...

[missstate2009]

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Basically I'm just posting this because I guess I am a little insecure, but I am going in to a fairly competitive field and have gotten some great interview invites from some huge programs in the NE and West Coast.

I've lived in the South for my entire life, so I am a little apprehensive about going to these large, well known programs in a completely different region of the country. I'm just worried that I won't have much in common with the interviewers or won't be able to BS with them like I have been with some of the other interviews I've been on. It's pretty intimidating.

Anyone else have any similar stories or advice?

 

[ruralsurg4now]

What makes you think that Northeastern programs or physicians are better than the South? Many physicians in the North trained in the South and vice versa. I'm from the North and all of my friends currently work in the South. This isn't the Civil War days.

 

[missstate2009]

What makes you think that Northeastern programs or physicians are better than the South? Many physicians in the North trained in the South and vice versa. I'm from the North and all of my friends currently work in the South. This isn't the Civil War days.

I think the North and the South both have great programs and both have crappy programs. I don't think I ever mentioned that I think the North has exclusive rights on all good residency programs.

I'm just worried that I won't be able to relate to anyone during my interviews so it might make for a long day.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

I think the North and the South both have great programs and both have crappy programs. I don't think I ever mentioned that I think the North has exclusive rights on all good residency programs.

I'm just worried that I won't be able to relate to anyone during my interviews so it might make for a long day.

Knowing if you mesh well with the faculty and residents is important to know, and you only get that knowledge by meeting them. Be yourself - if it isn't a good fit, then it isn't a good fit.

 

[boogaloo]

They need you as much as you need them.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I've lived all over the US (military brat) and abroad and am a bit stymied. What exactly do you think the differences are that would make it an uncomfortable experience for you?

With the exception of Texans (who truly seem to find it incomprehensible that anyone could possibly live anywhere else but Texas [and yes, I've lived there and still don't get it]), you'll find more commonalities amongst people than differences. Big name universities tend to draw faculty from all over the US and while you might not find as many southerners as you would close to home, you'll find well traveled people with a wide variety of interests.

 

[Kaputt]

Nah, OP, you don't get my sympathy feels because you say you're insecure about getting amazing interviews. If anything, you'll have way more to talk about during interviews in the "small talk" part of the interview because the interviewer will be all like "hey there southern lass/gentleman, what brings you so far up north? Think you can survive one of our winters? (snickers to self)". You guys will chat about snow tires for like 5-10 minutes then BOOM, interview done, no problem.

As a Northerner who interviewed at some Southern places already, I got virtually all the attention from the attendings and residents who wanted me to describe what it is like to live life above the Mason-Dixon line. Well, maybe not to that extreme, but it actually does help you stand out on interview day.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I've lived all over the US (military brat) and abroad and am a bit stymied. What exactly do you think the differences are that would make it an uncomfortable experience for you?

With the exception of Texans (who truly seem to find it incomprehensible that anyone could possibly live anywhere else but Texas [and yes, I've lived there and still don't get it]), you'll find more commonalities amongst people than differences. Big name universities tend to draw faculty from all over the US and while you might not find as many southerners as you would close to home, you'll find well traveled people with a wide variety of interests.

When offered steak or chicken fingers, which do you choose? When an option is Texas, you choose Texas 100% of the time. 🙂