Not Interviewing at a program where you got a LOR

[woof88]

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So my medical school has us rotate through 3-4 different hospitals during our third and fourth years of med school. I plan on going to my interview at the major hospital where I did 95% of my 3rd year rotations. However, during 4th year I did a rotation at one of the other hospitals and got a LOR from one of the attendings during that rotation. This hospital has a separate residency program, but it's not super great and I was using it as a back-up safety program. I just received an interview invitation for this program, but they only offer 3 interview dates and I have already scheduled interviews for those 3 dates at much better programs. Is it a slap in the face to the program and my letter writer for me to not interview there? I had a great experience there and don't want to offend my letter writer, but really don't have any desire to do my residency there. I also can't move around my other invites as they are already full or overlap with other interviews.

Thoughts?? I appreciate any advice - thanks!

 

[Doctor Bob]

So my medical school has us rotate through 3-4 different hospitals during our third and fourth years of med school. I plan on going to my interview at the major hospital where I did 95% of my 3rd year rotations. However, during 4th year I did a rotation at one of the other hospitals and got a LOR from one of the attendings during that rotation. This hospital has a separate residency program, but it's not super great and I was using it as a back-up safety program. I just received an interview invitation for this program, but they only offer 3 interview dates and I have already scheduled interviews for those 3 dates at much better programs. Is it a slap in the face to the program and my letter writer for me to not interview there? I had a great experience there and don't want to offend my letter writer, but really don't have any desire to do my residency there. I also can't move around my other invites as they are already full or overlap with other interviews.

Thoughts?? I appreciate any advice - thanks!

It is very acceptable to take the LOR and not do an interview. This happens all the time.
Just tell the program you are declining their interview offer (do it sooner rather than later so they have time to give the spot to someone else).

If you know you wouldn't want to go there for residency, then it's a done deal.

 

[mcl]

It is very acceptable to take the LOR and not do an interview. This happens all the time.
Just tell the program you are declining their interview offer (do it sooner rather than later so they have time to give the spot to someone else).

If you know you wouldn't want to go there for residency, then it's a done deal.

Above advice seconded. If you feel wierd, just tell them that although you enjoyed your rotation in their program, you have conflicts with their available interview dates.

 

[gutonc]

I didn't even apply to the program (my own) where I got my LORs from. This was on the advice of the PD at that program.

 

[woof88]

Awesome, thanks for all your help!