Phone interview - how common is this?

[fineman]

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Well, I ruined my own interview day because I was sick (extreme nausea vomiting dehydration). Without getting into specifics, the PD suggested I go and rest and reschedule for a phone interview.

How common is this? Are my chances of being ranked completely gone?
This is the only interview that I got (special case...) and was hoping to match at the program.
There are a lot of details that I left out but that's basically what happened, so...

 

[IM2GI]

If I only had one interview, I would have arranged an in-person interview. Are you local?

Your odds are bad as it is, and it is just hard to connect over the phone.

 

[fineman]

Ah. Ok. Thanks a lot for the advice. I'll try that. I'm around 400 miles away, but I guess I should still go there.

 

[IM2GI]

Ah. Ok. Thanks a lot for the advice. I'll try that. I'm around 400 miles away, but I guess I should still go there.

Why do you only have 1 interview? Did you apply late? Red flags?

Is this a token favor interview?

 

[fineman]

I'm a foreign MS4 who did an away rotation at the program last July. I got a lot of good feedback and got all of my LoR's from attendings at the program. At the time, I didn't have my Step 2CK score, so I wasn't ECFMG certified when I applied (I still don't have certification because I graduate in Feb). I applied to 10 in total. I only applied to 10 programs because #1 I knew no programs would take me without certification and #2 applying to 1 vs. 10 had no cost difference.

My scores are fairly competitive (Step 1 261 / Step 2CK 262 / CS first pass) and I THINK the PD expressed his interest in me, so that's why I'm kind of a "special" case...
I didn't apply late; in fact, I was offered the interview on October 8th but I scheduled it so late because I finished my classes just last month. I attend medical school outside of the USA so I couldn't get on a plane and fly over here during lectures 😛

 

[HelpPleaseMD]

good luck

 

[Eire14]

To clarify: You absolutely CAN apply without ECFMG certification and get loads of interviews. I'm not sure who told you to wait for certification, but they did you a horrible injustice, especially given your board scores.

 

[tallash]

Yeah, go in person if able. Cheaper than reapplying.