One Interview

[Iladelphia]

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Ok:

I only have one interview out of the 50+ programs i've applied to. I'm starting to freak out.

I thought I was a pretty competitive candidate but I guess not. People on this forum seem to be raking in the interview slots. I've received official rejections from BU, MEEI, and Hopkins. No word from a few programs that I've applied to but that have apparently offered up interviews.

Too early to panic? Should I be in panic mode (because I am)? Anyone else in the same boat?

Uggh. This stinks.

 

[eyeodine]

I'm in the same exact boat. I applied to 50+ programs, have one interview at my home institute, have 3-4 rejections, and haven't heard from the rest. I feel so nervous that I think I'm developing reflux AND IBS. The worst thing is, I can't stop going to this site to see who got what interviews. I'm happy for the other applicants, but also upset because I haven't heard from those some programs. Bleh.

Probably doesn't hurt to call up the programs to ask about our application status.

 

[OphthoApp]

Don't fret. It is still too early to get nervous. Keep in mind that these programs are often going to first offer interviews to all the same people. People accept all interviews at first and then later start canceling.
Once this happens there will be a lot of movement.

 

[Iladelphia]

For the support everyone! I just wasn't expecting to be into the third week of October with one interview to show.

Good luck to everyone else, especially to the people in the same boat!

 

[baya]

For the support everyone! I just wasn't expecting to be into the third week of October with one interview to show.

Good luck to everyone else, especially to the people in the same boat!

I'm in the same boat too.

Also keep wondering about when the panic response becomes appropriate.

But I think the answer is still "not yet"...

 

[alleyesonme]

Don't fret. It is still too early to get nervous. Keep in mind that these programs are often going to first offer interviews to all the same people. People accept all interviews at first and then later start canceling.
Once this happens there will be a lot of movement.

Found this from the posts last year...."from what residents have told me, offers continue well into november. while most programs have already given out offers, most of us choose to wait to cancel until a week before the interview date! It's still early for interview season, so things are bound to change over the next few weeks. don't lose heart. it ain't over till it's xmas time."

There is a lot of truth to both of the above posts, I guarantee.

 

[digitalsideburn]

I wouldn't compare yourself to the frequent posters on this message board in order to get a sense of whether you should panic or not. While it is certainly useful to learn about which programs are offering interview dates, I think some of the posters just want to let everyone know when and where they are getting interviews, and who got it first etc. I guarantee you there are others like you out there, and I wish there was less gloating and more sensitivity to those who are in your shoes.

It is true though that there is a lot of time left in this process. Also, I think less than half of the programs have even sent out invites. Keep your head up, don't lose hope, and enjoy your 4th year of medical school! This whole application process is like a slow, long, drawn-out game of chess. ugh. It will work itself out though.

 

[HaplessNSeattle]

Thanks for starting this topic. I was hoping to see one like it, but was too depressed to start it myself. I am also in a similar boat. Thought I was fairly competitive and applied to 45 programs. People in my class have been getting a lot of interviews but mainly to programs I havent applied to. I think the problem might be that I chose too many competitive programs and not enough mediocre ones, but I thought I would be in good shape nonetheless. Now as the interviews pile in for other people, I find myself stressing out everyday. Hopefully some interviews will fall to me as people start shuffling around interviews... For what it's worth, I spoke with my residency director and he said it is still too early to be concerned. Good luck everyone!

 

[Iladelphia]

I really appreciate everyone who chipped into this thread. It's nice to know I'm not alone! It's also nice to get support from the people (alleyesonme ~ is that a Tupac reference?) who have been doing well with regards to getting interviews.

In other news I managed to get one other interview; of course this was accompanied by other rejections (vanderbilt, Ohio State).

Anyway - good luck to everyone. I hope this week brings us some good luck.

Go Phils!

 

[MacularStar]

most of us choose to wait to cancel until a week before the interview date!


Why would you choose to wait?

If you honestly support the people on this forum you could cancel earlier so that programs could have a chance to ask these applicants for interviews.

Just a thought.

 

[OphthoApp]

I have canceled 3.5-4 weeks in advance. I actually found a person on here who likely got my interview spot and he/she was so excited. It's worth it, people are waiting anxiously to hear from certain programs. I am also waiting to hear from certain programs so we should all help each other out.

 

[alleyesonme]

First off, I do not propose that we all wait until one week before an interview to cancel. My previous post highlighted a past thread, and also the fact that early in the interview period, people have to accept most offers until some others come in, then they can start cancelling. In fact, I have cancelled 6 interviews right as I got them. Additionally, I have cancelled a few others well before the interview day. However, I have scheduled my target number of interviews, but since some programs have not sent out interview invites yet, there may be other interviews that I cancel. This all depends on when the other programs get there offers out.

We could avoid this if all programs had a target date where they were required to have interview offers extended. It would ease some of the confusion and constant shuffling of interviews.

 

[MacularStar]

Alleyes... Sounds like you are being very considerate. I agree... ideally I think all programs would submit their invites at once. Each applicant would receive a list of invites with dates and would be able to schedule and cancel accordingly. 1-3 weeks later there could be several other dates where programs send out additional interviews to fill open spots. The current system is confusing as you said and anxiety producing for those of us with a less than ideal # of interviews. With that said it is the programs who have the upperhand and I doubt they would ever petition for changing the system to one that is less flexible for them.