Program Interview Invites

[Nicholaus]

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Quick question:

If an applicant turns down an interview invite or doesn't show, is that interview then granted to another applicant? What is the process?

Thanks.

 

[willow18]

Uhh, yes. Unless you're a big ass and cancel the interview at the last minute. If you don't show, you are simply unprofessional and your name will travel before you, courtesy of rightfully miffed PD.

 

[synapse lapse]

Yep as above. Be courteous and professional and always cancel interviews you can't make/don't want with plenty of time to spare, so they can invite someone else and don't get screwed themselves.

 

[mcl]

Yep as above. Be courteous and professional and always cancel interviews you can't make/don't want with plenty of time to spare, so they can invite someone else and don't get screwed themselves.

And generally, "plenty of time to spare" is at least 5-7 days. Otherwise applicants on a program's wait list don't have time to get notified and make appropriate travel arrangements. Cancellations with 3-days or less notice often require an entire reworking of the interview day schedule with virtually no chance of filling the blank spot. Cancellations are expected and are not a big deal if done professionally. Please make the call or send the email AS SOON AS you know you aren't going to attend.

 

[ResidentMD]

Uhh, yes. Unless you're a big ass and cancel the interview at the last minute. If you don't show, you are simply unprofessional and your name will travel before you, courtesy of rightfully miffed PD.

Out of genuine interest - really? Is it so bad? I mean, would a PD really hold such a big grudge?

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

Out of genuine interest - really? Is it so bad? I mean, would a PD really hold such a big grudge?

Why wouldn't they? You wasted a spot that could have gone to someone they might have ranked... I'd be mad if I were a PD.

 

[mcl]

Out of genuine interest - really? Is it so bad? I mean, would a PD really hold such a big grudge?

It goes to professionalism. No-shows reflect poorly on both the applicant and his/her medical school. Faculty have spent time reviewing your application and cancelled other activities in order to interview someone, and that time is now wasted. It's a big enough deal at my program that our PD will call the applicant's dean's office in the rare event that no shows occur.

If you can't come, have the decency to notify someone. If you know in advance, give the program and some other applicant on a waiting list a chance to fill an open spot.

 

[PirateHotel]

I apologies since this is a bit off topic, but how soon do you need to schedule an interview date after receiving the offer... or do most progs just tell you when they want to interview you.

b/g: I'm in my final year at a school in Europe and will need to make the cross-Atlantic trip for interviews so I was hoping to cluster them into 2 separate time periods.. hoping this is feasible as I'd like to go to as many interviews as possible (knocking on wood).

 

[ResidentMD]

It goes to professionalism. No-shows reflect poorly on both the applicant and his/her medical school. Faculty have spent time reviewing your application and cancelled other activities in order to interview someone, and that time is now wasted. It's a big enough deal at my program that our PD will call the applicant's dean's office in the rare event that no shows occur.

If you can't come, have the decency to notify someone. If you know in advance, give the program and some other applicant on a waiting list a chance to fill an open spot.

I think this is fair...calling the school is appropriate...it sends a clear message as well to the school to ensure that future candidates are warned not to do this.

 

[gutonc]

I apologies since this is a bit off topic, but how soon do you need to schedule an interview date after receiving the offer... or do most progs just tell you when they want to interview you.

b/g: I'm in my final year at a school in Europe and will need to make the cross-Atlantic trip for interviews so I was hoping to cluster them into 2 separate time periods.. hoping this is feasible as I'd like to go to as many interviews as possible (knocking on wood).

Depends on the specialty but ASAFP (like within 1-2 business days) is always a good idea. If you're applying for something like peds/FM/IM where there will be a lot of interview days it's less of an issue than if you're applying for a more competitive specialty where there may only be 3 or 4 (or 1 or 2) interview days. The surgical subspecialties are notorious for tight scheduling like this.

Also, some programs will send you an email that says "Congratulations, you're interviewing on Date X." Some of these can be changed, with others...you're stuck (although you should still ask).

 

[derm83]

Along the same lines, is rescheduling feasible? I have received my first IV and they are interviewing between mid-October and mid-January. I haven't made up my mind on whether I'm interviewing early or late. Can I pick a date now and change it later on?

 

[mcl]

Along the same lines, is rescheduling feasible? I have received my first IV and they are interviewing between mid-October and mid-January. I haven't made up my mind on whether I'm interviewing early or late. Can I pick a date now and change it later on?

I think it is often a better strategic tactic to do this rather than wait to respond to an invitation until you are certain of your schedule, especially if it's a program you definitely want to visit. Of course, there's no guarantee--programs can't hold dates open in case you might want to switch. But we understand how difficult it is to set up an interview schedule that makes best use of your time and money, so most programs will accommodate you to the greatest extent possible.

 

[derm83]

I think it is often a better strategic tactic to do this rather than wait to respond to an invitation until you are certain of your schedule, especially if it's a program you definitely want to visit. Of course, there's no guarantee--programs can't hold dates open in case you might want to switch. But we understand how difficult it is to set up an interview schedule that makes best use of your time and money, so most programs will accommodate you to the greatest extent possible.

Thanks. Now that I know it's generally understandable by programs, I can call them and set up the date hoping I can reschedule my IV's later on.

 

[funshine]

would you say its too early to begin calling other programs in the same location you're interviewing at to try and schedule interviews in that same period? 😳
uggg, don't get me wrong, i'm thrilled but I can foresee a big mess of conflicts ahead for me.

 

[ResidentMD]

would you say its too early to begin calling other programs in the same location you're interviewing at to try and schedule interviews in that same period? 😳
uggg, don't get me wrong, i'm thrilled but I can foresee a big mess of conflicts ahead for me.

Disclaimer: current applicant's opinion

I would think its too early. Most programs havent seen applications, and some are already sending out "Dont call us, we will call you" - go Emory)

What I am planning is allot areas in the US you plan to IV in - and then plan your schedule accordingly so you can use the dates around those IVs for other programs as and when they come.

Any experienced people out there? Please opine.

 

[funshine]

Do you have time off for interviews? I currently do not have any time off, and though I do have lax rotations during the weeks of November and December, I'm wondering if I should just take time off as opposed to run the danger of infuriating everyone I'm working with on these rotations.

 

[gutonc]

would you say its too early to begin calling other programs in the same location you're interviewing at to try and schedule interviews in that same period? 😳
uggg, don't get me wrong, i'm thrilled but I can foresee a big mess of conflicts ahead for me.

Unless your interview is next week, it is WAAAYYY too early. If you haven't heard from those programs by mid-November then it's totally kosher to call/email and ask.