Rejections

[Arb]

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This may be a silly question but, if you get a rejection from a program, is there any way to get them to reconsider? Is it even advisable to try?

 

[gutonc]

This may be a silly question but, if you get a rejection from a program, is there any way to get them to reconsider? Is it even advisable to try?

Aside from ego "hit points" and any remaining shred of self-respect you may have following your Surgery and OB clerkships, you don't really have anything to lose from doing this.

But unless you can articulate a really good reason why they should reconsider your application, it's probably not worth your time or effort. And you will never know exactly why they rejected you (although it might be obvious, like a 189 Step 1), so addressing some perceived shortcoming in your application may just give them one more reason not to interview you.

 

[Allygator89]

This may be a silly question but, if you get a rejection from a program, is there any way to get them to reconsider? Is it even advisable to try?

I am not sure why you would even want them to if you didn't make the first cut........ Let's just say that you do end up interviewing there... it will be known that you were cut initially, then somehow managed to get them to change their minds. No matter what you do from that point on, there will always be some sort of "trouble" stigma associated with you, or not 'playing by the rules.' I personally wouldn't do it.

 

[Arb]

Cool, thanks guys.

 

[VegasMD]

I've heard it go the other way as well... met a resident at OHSU who was initially rejected, but since it was her top choice, she politely emailed them and re-emphasized her interest. She told them that she would appreciate any consideration if a interview spot opened up later on (which it did, due to other applicants cancelling). She ended up matching there, after being initially rejected.

Obviously not the norm, but definitely something to consider.

In my opinion, if you've already been rejected, what do you have to lose by contacting the program??

 

[km11]

I've heard it go the other way as well... met a resident at OHSU who was initially rejected, but since it was her top choice, she politely emailed them and re-emphasized her interest. She told them that she would appreciate any consideration if a interview spot opened up later on (which it did, due to other applicants cancelling). She ended up matching there, after being initially rejected.

Obviously not the norm, but definitely something to consider.

In my opinion, if you've already been rejected, what do you have to lose by contacting the program??

That's what I'm thinking. They can't reject you anymore than they already have

 

[DrWBD]

I am not sure why you would even want them to if you didn't make the first cut........ Let's just say that you do end up interviewing there... it will be known that you were cut initially, then somehow managed to get them to change their minds. No matter what you do from that point on, there will always be some sort of "trouble" stigma associated with you, or not 'playing by the rules.' I personally wouldn't do it.

No one cares about that stuff once you are in.

 

[drblueshades]

Our Dean told us that someone from our medical school initially rejected from a residency program ends up actually matching there every 1-2 years. No one will care once you've matched. If it's your top choice, you might even be able to have a faculty member call on your behalf and push for an interview--this can work!