programs not responding to queries through email

[ResidentMD]

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Is it just me, or do you get a bit annoyed when residency programs do not reply to your queries through email?

1. When they do not reply AT ALL (after multiple requests for info on something not clarified on their website)..something tells me they really don't want you in the program?

2. When they send you a generic reply and you want to clarify on something, and then the reply email is just the same generic one? (the best part is, it doesn't come immediately, it comes after 4-5 hours)

I wanted thoughts on this forum if this is any representative of how the administration of the program is, and if any of you have had similar experiences.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I receive at least 50 of these emails daily. Many of them ask the same questions, the answers to which are on our website. Some ask questions which I'm simply not going to answer, either because I don't really know and don't want to figure out (like the average Step 2 score of just the IMG's in my program) or because I don't want them public (like how far down my rank list I went last year). Plus, many of them are clearly form letters sent to 100's of programs. And, I kid you not, many of them seem worded almost exactly the same (often from mydocumentsweb or another app hosting company), and are asking me if I would review their app so they can decide whether to apply or not.

Because of the sheer volume, I simply delete all emails like this unanswered. I tried answering them politely for awhile, and that just generated more emails and questions.

So, the answer to your question is probably this:

1. I am inundated with annoying, repetitive emails that clearly document that the person didn't look at our website (despite almost all of them saying "I looked at your website and need some clarification"). Hence, I simply discard all such emails, basically unread.

2. If the answer to your question is not on our website, you might simply not get it.

3. My program admin and assistant are much more willing to deal with this.

 

[ResidentMD]

I receive at least 50 of these emails daily. Many of them ask the same questions, the answers to which are on our website. Some ask questions which I'm simply not going to answer, either because I don't really know and don't want to figure out (like the average Step 2 score of just the IMG's in my program) or because I don't want them public (like how far down my rank list I went last year). Plus, many of them are clearly form letters sent to 100's of programs. And, I kid you not, many of them seem worded almost exactly the same (often from mydocumentsweb or another app hosting company), and are asking me if I would review their app so they can decide whether to apply or not.

Because of the sheer volume, I simply delete all emails like this unanswered. I tried answering them politely for awhile, and that just generated more emails and questions.

So, the answer to your question is probably this:

1. I am inundated with annoying, repetitive emails that clearly document that the person didn't look at our website (despite almost all of them saying "I looked at your website and need some clarification"). Hence, I simply discard all such emails, basically unread.

2. If the answer to your question is not on our website, you might simply not get it.

3. My program admin and assistant are much more willing to deal with this.

Hi aPD,

Completely agree with you. First off, I was talking about program coordinators not answering these questions. To ask a PD such a question is ridiculous (esp stuff not covered on the website).

Some of the questions you were asked are really quite foolish - if you say the cutoff is 220 on Step 2, then its 220. It doesn't matter. After that, its our call whether to apply or not - how strong we think our application is.

Also its pretty atrocious people copy the letters from the websites you stated.

I'm just a bit pissed about coordinators not replying to emails - firstly not replying at all (at least send a generic email) or then, just replying with the same email again. I can name at least 1-2 university programs which are decent, which have no info on their website regarding the application, their program does not reply to emails and no one answers the phone.

P.S. Didn't do any of the stuff mentioned above - all my emails are program specific 🙂. Anyway, hope you enjoy the application season!

 

[Ariee]

I had some questions that I thought were unanswered in a program that I was really interested in. So I picked up the phone and spoke to the residency program coordinator. I left it anonymous, so if I asked really stupid questions, they wouldnt know it's me.

aPD- I humbly present you with this option: Consider sending an immediate response in your e-mail, stating something like: Dear all applicants. Thank you for your interest in my program. All answers to your question can be found at www.xyz.com (I made that link up). We look forward to answering your unanswered questions when we offer you an interview. Maybe at the end, state something to all thoes ppl that arent' applicants...lol, I don't know, I'm sure you know much better than I, but if I was a PD that's what I'd do...(humbly) again 🙂

 

[ResidentMD]

I had some questions that I thought were unanswered in a program that I was really interested in. So I picked up the phone and spoke to the residency program coordinator. I left it anonymous, so if I asked really stupid questions, they wouldnt know it's me.

aPD- I humbly present you with this option: Consider sending an immediate response in your e-mail, stating something like: Dear all applicants. Thank you for your interest in my program. All answers to your question can be found at www.xyz.com (I made that link up). We look forward to answering your unanswered questions when we offer you an interview. Maybe at the end, state something to all thoes ppl that arent' applicants...lol, I don't know, I'm sure you know much better than I, but if I was a PD that's what I'd do...(humbly) again 🙂

But Ariee, you must understand that its not a PDs job to do these things - its the program coordinators. The people who send these emails to PDs are trying to bypass the system. I would agree with aPD not replying to those kinds of emails.

The issue I feel is with PCs not responding to emails - because how else do we clarify stuff? I called up quite a few programs because of this issue - and nowadays I'm finding that a lot of PCs 1) have voicemails 2) do not return calls. (Of course, most of them did pick up calls - and one PC actually called me back to answer my question - interestingly from a top notch univ program). I am applying to a couple of programs now (probably spending > $50 on it) - not even knowing what their requirements are because I just couldnt find it. I just have to "take a chance" and apply through ERAS.

I remember some programs, where the voicemail literally answered all the queries which I had which werent covered on the website. I hung up after that - because I had my answers. But there should be some option to get through to someone when you cannot find it on the website, the PC does not reply to emails (AT ALL) and the voicemail does not answer the question.

Anyway, I think its probably not worth debating over that here. But I do wish if there are any PCs reading this, they could at least reply with generic emails, and if there is a specific question, answer it (okay, the qs which were asked to aPD were really atrocious - avg step 2 score for IMGs??). And if there are any PDs reading this, a humble request to ask your PCs to ensure they do the same! Thanks.

 

[Ariee]

But Ariee, you must understand that its not a PDs job to do these things - its the program coordinators. The people who send these emails to PDs are trying to bypass the system. I would agree with aPD not replying to those kinds of emails.

That beginning there makes me think we're disagreeing about something here. Thats confusing. If the guy/gal (aPD) is being sent emails the possible solution I suggested is a way to let his applicants know that he won't be responding. It's a suggestion (that I've seen from other PD's/RC's by my seniors experience), not a debate...

The issue I feel is with PCs not responding to emails - because how else do we clarify stuff? I called up quite a few programs because of this issue - and nowadays I'm finding that a lot of PCs 1) have voicemails 2) do not return calls. (Of course, most of them did pick up calls - and one PC actually called me back to answer my question - interestingly from a top notch univ program). I am applying to a couple of programs now (probably spending > $50 on it) - not even knowing what their requirements are because I just couldnt find it. I just have to "take a chance" and apply through ERAS.

I mean this is not rocket science. Pick up the phone and call. Yes ppl have VM's, they are busy it's the beginning of residency season. Just be persistent, what is the problem here? I ran into VM as well and put it on my list of call until someone picks up. A lot of ppl apply to residency programs blind and figure it out at interviews...You're not going to know every single thing about every single residency program...Put those questions on your list of things to ask at the interview...common sense?

I remember some programs, where the voicemail literally answered all the queries which I had which werent covered on the website. I hung up after that - because I had my answers. But there should be some option to get through to someone when you cannot find it on the website, the PC does not reply to emails (AT ALL) and the voicemail does not answer the question.

Looks like you've find your solution, so what are you still going on about?

Anyway, I think its probably not worth debating over that here. But I do wish if there are any PCs reading this, they could at least reply with generic emails, and if there is a specific question, answer it (okay, the qs which were asked to aPD were really atrocious - avg step 2 score for IMGs??). And if there are any PDs reading this, a humble request to ask your PCs to ensure they do the same! Thanks.

That's what my solution was aimed at...so chill it. Also why were those questions atrocius, is it just b/c of his screen name aPD? You sound like a butt-smoocher. I'm sure those individuals don't think they're silly questions and want to know if they stand a chance and how competetive they are, just like you may be trying to do...

G'luck with the match, I hope you find the answers to your q's.
A

 

[ResidentMD]

That beginning there makes me think we're disagreeing about something here. Thats confusing. If the guy/gal (aPD) is being sent emails the possible solution I suggested is a way to let his applicants know that he won't be responding. It's a suggestion (that I've seen from other PD's/RC's by my seniors experience), not a debate...



I mean this is not rocket science. Pick up the phone and call. Yes ppl have VM's, they are busy it's the beginning of residency season. Just be persistent, what is the problem here? I ran into VM as well and put it on my list of call until someone picks up. A lot of ppl apply to residency programs blind and figure it out at interviews...You're not going to know every single thing about every single residency program...Put those questions on your list of things to ask at the interview...common sense?


Looks like you've find your solution, so what are you still going on about?



That's what my solution was aimed at...so chill it. Also why were those questions atrocius, is it just b/c of his screen name aPD? You sound like a butt-smoocher. I'm sure those individuals don't think they're silly questions and want to know if they stand a chance and how competetive they are, just like you may be trying to do...

G'luck with the match, I hope you find the answers to your q's.
A

WOW......thanks for your help. Take care 🙂.