Question for aProgDirector

[tmh84]

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I am currently an AMG planning on scrambling on Tuesday. I have been looking through the forum and I cant seem to find an answer to a few of my questions.

1) Since I will probably only apply to less than 30 programs in the scramble do I still need to have a fax machine handy?
2) If I do have a fax machine what am I going to fax the programs. I do have copies of my LOR's but I don't have my transcripts, USMLE scores and Deans letter on paper. Should I ask my med school to fax me the required documents?

thanks

 

[Gas4Life]

Sounds like you should have planned this out a little better. Why are you planning on trying to scramble. Are you trying to switch residencies? Man, I wish I had the nerve to actually plan on trying to scramble. I am a nervous wreck just thinking of the possibility of having to scramble.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I would recommend you absolutely have a copy of your Dean's letter. It will probably include your USMLE scores in it, so it will kill two birds with one stone.

Applying via ERAS is not your primary way of getting a spot.

The best way to get a spot is to call the program. When you do this, assuming you get through (expect busy signals), someone will take your basic information -- school, year of grad, USMLE scores. At this point, one of two things happens -- they say "Hold on one second, I'll have someone talk to you", or "Thank you for your information, we are currently reviewing applications and will get back to you". The latter = you will not be getting a call/spot, so move on.

If you get through the initial screen, then a PD or APD will be on the phone with you reviewing your application. At this point you tell them that you applied via ERAS and they'll pull up your information. This saves you the bother of faxing it.

I think it's unlikely you would get a spot by applying via ERAS and waiting for someone to call you.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I would recommend you absolutely have a copy of your Dean's letter. It will probably include your USMLE scores in it, so it will kill two birds with one stone.

Applying via ERAS is not your primary way of getting a spot.

The best way to get a spot is to call the program. When you do this, assuming you get through (expect busy signals), someone will take your basic information -- school, year of grad, USMLE scores. At this point, one of two things happens -- they say "Hold on one second, I'll have someone talk to you", or "Thank you for your information, we are currently reviewing applications and will get back to you". The latter = you will not be getting a call/spot, so move on.

If you get through the initial screen, then a PD or APD will be on the phone with you reviewing your application. At this point you tell them that you applied via ERAS and they'll pull up your information. This saves you the bother of faxing it.

I think it's unlikely you would get a spot by applying via ERAS and waiting for someone to call you.

I hope I won't have to scramble for my internship spot. Freaks me out just thinking about it! Having said that...

Doc, your advice is INVALUABLE on SDN. Honestly, I don't know anyone else on here that is able to give such detailed advice. So THANK YOU! 👍

Where have you been all these years!

 

[buckley]

Thanks APD 🙂
I hope I dont have to scramble or I'll be getting a flooding therapy for phone phobia!

 

[tmh84]

Thank you aProgDirector. You advice is really appreciated. I guess I have one last question. When you make the initial phone call how are applicants screened . Is it basically by board scores or how they plead there case?

 

[xaelia]

I'm rather confused about how one would have their Dean's Letter - my school never gave me a copy of mine. Isn't it included with the ERAS download?

And, I've never seen any of my LORs, let alone have copies of them.

 

[barcalounger]

I'm rather confused about how one would have their Dean's Letter - my school never gave me a copy of mine.

My school had a sit-down meeting between each student and the dean to discuss/view the Dean's Letter. I never got a copy of it but I assume that if I had to scramble, they would provide me with a copy to fax. I would think other schools would do likewise.

 

[nojobdoc]

I would recommend you absolutely have a copy of your Dean's letter. It will probably include your USMLE scores in it, so it will kill two birds with one stone.

Applying via ERAS is not your primary way of getting a spot.

The best way to get a spot is to call the program. When you do this, assuming you get through (expect busy signals), someone will take your basic information -- school, year of grad, USMLE scores. At this point, one of two things happens -- they say "Hold on one second, I'll have someone talk to you", or "Thank you for your information, we are currently reviewing applications and will get back to you". The latter = you will not be getting a call/spot, so move on.

If you get through the initial screen, then a PD or APD will be on the phone with you reviewing your application. At this point you tell them that you applied via ERAS and they'll pull up your information. This saves you the bother of faxing it.

I think it's unlikely you would get a spot by applying via ERAS and waiting for someone to call you.

SO... are u saying that we should apply via ERAS to these programs BEFORE we start calling?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

SO... are u saying that we should apply via ERAS to these programs BEFORE we start calling?

The best way to scramble is to call. If you get through and someone in that program is reviewing your application, they will want to see your paperwork. At that point, they will pull it up on ERAS and/or have you fax it.

 

[Blade28]

I would definitely contact your med school and see if you can get hard copies of everything, just in case.