Post-interview feedback from BWH?

[mem141]

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Hi all,
Has anyone heard from Brigham after the interview day? I've heard that they don't do as much of the calls/emails etc as other programs, but I have no idea if that's true or not. Just curious...

 

[Neurontin]

Actually I got a ranked-to-match call from BWH.... 🙂

 

[S1Q3T3]

hey neurontin when did you get said call?

 

[Neurontin]

About 3 days ago....

 

[rackd8ball]

.

 

[DantheMan05]

Mind if I asked how it was phrased? I wrote expressing my enthusiasm to the PD who wrote back using fairly non-committal language like "hopeful it may work out." Just curious what I can make of that or whether stronger sentiments were expressed for others.

 

[NYCMed09]

*

 

[mem141]

Thanks for the responses! Had those of you who had heard from Brigham contacted the PD to state your interest? I haven't done that aside from a pretty generic thank-you note immediately after the interview.
All I've heard is an email from a resident (who I had met but hadn't given my email to) asking if I had any questions...

 

[rackd8ball]

.

 

[Neurontin]

Mine was a phone call from their PD, and he left a message saying that "I just wanted to let you know that you've been ranked to match at the Brigham, and we really hope that you decide to train here. I know that you will have many other places to choose from, so please call me if can help you in any way make your decision easier".

I also got emails from two BWH residents who went to my med school, and they said that the PD had asked them to try to recruit me, basically telling me what a great experience they've had at the Brigham and availing themselves to answer any questions.

 

[DantheMan05]

Huh. Well, I guess I'll just have to hope that enough of you MD-PhDers decide on MGH or Hopkins instead 😛

 

[S1Q3T3]

i sent a bait email to see what I got back from the PD. he came back with some noncomittal language. I wonder if they are done with all their 'ranked to match' calls. probly. oh well, can't win 'em all.

 

[Neurontin]

i sent a bait email to see what I got back from the PD. he came back with some noncomittal language. I wonder if they are done with all their 'ranked to match' calls. probly. oh well, can't win 'em all.

Amen, S1Q3T3... you know that I didn't even get interviews from places that were heavily recruiting you.... this whole process is pretty random. You click better with some places than others, and I doubt that any of it is reflective of you as a candidate.

If you're serious about going to a place, I'd still keep them at the top of your ranklist, since, there are many folks who are bound to decide not to go to places that you're hoping to train at. I'm sure you also know that the rank system works in your advantage, so don't give up just yet.

 

[NYCMed09]

It occurred to me that on my interview day at BWH, the PD was pretty clear that they don't "tap anyone on the shoulder to have a special meeting with the Chair" for their favorite candidates. Perhaps this reflects a more general attitude about post-interview recruitment. Certainly, it seems the residents play a role in recruitment, but perhaps the program leaders don't participate in the florid recruitment displayed by other programs except in exceptional cases like those noted above.

 

[indiamacbean]

they pick the ones they want and then recruit the h*ll out of them after their list is finalized.

 

[Cdn11]

Bump.

Anyone got a call this year from the Brigham?

 

[Aciphex]

Bump.

Anyone got a call this year from the Brigham?

I did not. I heard from a couple of people though that have.

 

[EaglesPA]

Amen, S1Q3T3... you know that I didn't even get interviews from places that were heavily recruiting you.... this whole process is pretty random. You click better with some places than others, and I doubt that any of it is reflective of you as a candidate.

If you're serious about going to a place, I'd still keep them at the top of your ranklist, since, there are many folks who are bound to decide not to go to places that you're hoping to train at. I'm sure you also know that the rank system works in your advantage, so don't give up just yet.

A few years back the rumour was that at Brigham, they have a post-interview session where they put up a picture of the interviewees they are thinking about ranking and get feedback from the current residents. So if you don't click with the current residents it will bring you down a notch on their match list even if you look great on paper.
I don't know how true this is...but that was the word on the street

 

[Cdn11]

In which case that makes the pre-interview dinner an absolute must? I never thought these were actually used for ranking purposes hmmm..

A few years back the rumour was that at Brigham, they have a post-interview session where they put up a picture of the interviewees they are thinking about ranking and get feedback from the current residents. So if you don't click with the current residents it will bring you down a notch on their match list even if you look great on paper.
I don't know how true this is...but that was the word on the street

 

[Frugal Traveler]

In which case that makes the pre-interview dinner an absolute must? I never thought these were actually used for ranking purposes hmmm..

That explains why so many interns and residents were there! It was like a 3-4 resident/intern:1 applicant ratio.

 

[Aciphex]

That explains why so many interns and residents were there! It was like a 3-4 resident/intern:1 applicant ratio.

i also feel BWH puts alot of weight into coming from an ivy league med school as evidenced by 75% of their categorical interns being from ivy league, stanford, or hopkins - not that there is anything wrong with that

 

[houstoncfh]

i also feel BWH puts alot of weight into coming from an ivy league med school as evidenced by 75% of their categorical interns being from ivy league, stanford, or hopkins - not that there is anything wrong with that

Based on my personal experience (read: rejection), I'd agree with that sentiment.

 

[tooquiet]

I know a friend matched to MGH without receiving a call. Does anyone know anybody went to Brigham without receiving a call? In another word, if I haven't got a call, does it mean I am out for sure?

 

[Mental Gymnast]

I know a friend matched to MGH without receiving a call. Does anyone know anybody went to Brigham without receiving a call? In another word, if I haven't got a call, does it mean I am out for sure?

you bet... even worse, if you get the typical "your enthusiasm is appreciated" email from joel katz then you're doomed... might as well keep your integrity and withdraw from the match altogether now 😎

 

[Cdn11]

I think a few yrs back (or this year) the rejection letter from Hopkins stated something along the lines that although they rejected you, they hope you will not abandon the pursuit of internal medicine as a career.. 🙂

Anyways from the looks of it Brigham doesn't call too many people..

you bet... even worse, if you get the typical "your enthusiasm is appreciated" email from joel katz then you're doomed... might as well keep your integrity and withdraw from the match altogether now 😎

 

[bostonguy911]

it seems like many people in my class want to match into IM. And of course most people want to match at MGH, BWH, ect. I am not at the top of my class, and now am beginning to worry that my shot at matching is not all that good if everyone above me is applying?

how do/did you feel when you knew people from your own class, with higher stats or more pubs, ect were applying and interviewing at the same time?

 

[EaglesPA]

it seems like many people in my class want to match into IM. And of course most people want to match at MGH, BWH, ect. I am not at the top of my class, and now am beginning to worry that my shot at matching is not all that good if everyone above me is applying?

how do/did you feel when you knew people from your own class, with higher stats or more pubs, ect were applying and interviewing at the same time?

Were you competitive enough to get interviews? If you interviewed, you have a chance of matching. So just go ahead and make your rank list, then sit back and wait for Match Day and enjoy the rest of 4th year.

 

[Phineus]

it seems like many people in my class want to match into IM. And of course most people want to match at MGH, BWH, ect. I am not at the top of my class, and now am beginning to worry that my shot at matching is not all that good if everyone above me is applying?

how do/did you feel when you knew people from your own class, with higher stats or more pubs, ect were applying and interviewing at the same time?

It's not always about the highest stats or the most publications, but rather the best fit. It will all be over by mid-March, rank accordingly, hold on and hope for the best.

Remember, a call to the PD from your mom or dad can go a long way 😉.

 

[futureres]

it seems like many people in my class want to match into IM. And of course most people want to match at MGH, BWH, ect. I am not at the top of my class, and now am beginning to worry that my shot at matching is not all that good if everyone above me is applying?

how do/did you feel when you knew people from your own class, with higher stats or more pubs, ect were applying and interviewing at the same time?

Seriously, unless you are only ranking BWH and MGH you shouldn't be worried about matching in IM. Assuming no red flags in your app, and assuming that you got interviews at some good programs, just be smart in ranking a decent # of programs and see what happens...not everyone wants to go to the same places!