Residency interview invite from residency program secretary only!

Facing problems in your residency program? See how
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
S

Sanatani

New Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2019
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi,
I have received an email for residency interview invite form the program secretary (via official department email) but not a letter of invite. Moreover, the invite does not reflect in MyERAS!
What should I make out of this?
Thank you
Members don't see this ad.
 
What is your concern? What do you consider to be a letter of invite? Most times, invites are just simple emails. You won't get an official letter. I don't get what you are worry about. Just respond to the email to accept the invite.
 
Well, does it ask you to email back with your choice of dates?
 
There were 5 choices and I picked two dates. One of the two dates was decided by the program supervisor.
I will wait for the email/letter with all the specific details. Thank you.
 
Residency interview invites are usually emails. You will not get an engraved invitation. Most of the time, you will be contacted by the Program Coordinator via email, with a choice of dates. Once you have been scheduled, then usually an email with more details will follow. If the interview date is a long ways off (such as receiving invite now for January date) then sometimes you will not get the "details" until closer to the date.
 
Things are moving in the direction of electronic communication only.

Similarly, if a candidate wants to thank me for an interview, I'd rather get just a quick email thank you opposed to a paper thank you note.

No sense killing a tree branch when an email gets the same information to the recipient.
 
Dral said:
No sense killing a tree branch when an email gets the same information to the recipient.
Click to expand...

And, email is faster. and less likely to end up in the wrong part of the hospital.
 
Sanatani said:
Hi,
I have received an email for residency interview invite form the program secretary (via official department email) but not a letter of invite. Moreover, the invite does not reflect in MyERAS!
What should I make out of this?
Thank you
Click to expand...
If you got an invite from the secretary or the program coordinator or the program manager - it's legit. PD does not have the time to send emails to everyone. Potentially, you may get an email from PDWS (PD Work Station) with signature from the PD - I bet you the coordinator is the one who sent it in their name. PD gets to select the applicants to invite for interviews, thats work enough for them.
 
Do medical schools not prepare you people at all? Are people here serious, that they care about these types of things and aren't sure what it means?
 
From speaking privately with other PC's, I think this year's group is a little over the top. There have been some strange things happening.
 
killerleaf said:
From speaking privately with other PC's, I think this year's group is a little over the top. There have been some strange things happening.
Click to expand...
"a little"? They seem insanely neurotic to me based just on the threads here.
 
A Word of Caution, after re-reading the title of this.....do not EVER be rude, impolite, or act "superior" to the Program Coordinator. Some may carry a different title, (Program Administrator, Program Secretary) but they all do the same job. There is a level of professionalism that you are to achieve...and mistreating the PC will not get you there.
 
killerleaf said:
A Word of Caution, after re-reading the title of this.....do not EVER be rude, impolite, or act "superior" to the Program Coordinator. Some may carry a different title, (Program Administrator, Program Secretary) but they all do the same job. There is a level of professionalism that you are to achieve...and mistreating the PC will not get you there.
Click to expand...

Thank you for saying this! I was debating saying something earlier, but dismissing a 'program secretary's invitation just screams entitlement. Match and ERAS guidelines are very strict about communication between applicants and programs. So if you heard from a program, it was deliberate.

Also- I have yet to see a single colleague of mine referred to as a secretary. Please be sure to use whatever title is in their signature.
 
Just adding to what the other PCs in this thread have said already- sometimes the PC is the reason you are there interviewing in the first place- some of us do the initial screening and/or add people in from the waitlist as we see fit. While my PD has the final say on rank lists he does ask for my input as well.
 
Also...I carry veto power in the rank order list meetings. If someone was rude, arrogant, or otherwise unpleasant with me, I can speak up in the meetings; and it does affect where they are ranked. (like much, much, much lower)
 
I haven't spoken with my residency coordinator in over 10 years, but, I could call her right now, and we would have at LEAST half an hour of just talking - about her, her church, her husband the police officer, or whatever. She meant the world to me when I was a resident, and I, just as a lowly graduate, would dress down anyone who would show her disrespect.

The world revolves around the folks that keep the wheels turning. They are the "salt of the earth". Remember, doctors save patients, and nurses save doctors. Likewise, as my esteemed colleague @killerleaf says, the PC can sink you. Good manners are ALWAYS good policy.
 
Apollyon said:
I haven't spoken with my residency coordinator in over 10 years, but, I could call her right now, and we would have at LEAST half an hour of just talking - about her, her church, her husband the police officer, or whatever. She meant the world to me when I was a resident, and I, just as a lowly graduate, would dress down anyone who would show her disrespect.

The world revolves around the folks that keep the wheels turning. They are the "salt of the earth". Remember, doctors save patients, and nurses save doctors. Likewise, as my esteemed colleague @killerleaf says, the PC can sink you. Good manners are ALWAYS good policy.
Click to expand...
Same here! They will do anything for their Residents...but you get on their bad side...
 
Dral said:
Things are moving in the direction of electronic communication only.

Similarly, if a candidate wants to thank me for an interview, I'd rather get just a quick email thank you opposed to a paper thank you note.

No sense killing a tree branch when an email gets the same information to the recipient.
Click to expand...

I wanted to just clarify this note (pun intended): do we send paper thank you notes or are emails okay? I am operating under the premise that we should send a note to each person we interacted with, especially the coordinators, so I just wanna be sure before I start.
 
Sending notes are a personal choice. For our program, a note meant that you really were interested in us, and might actually want to rank us and maybe even be a resident with us. Other programs do not share this outlook. Some programs do appreciate the handwritten; others are fine with emails.

One thing that does kinda tick me off, tho: Those that would send a huge envelope, addressed to me, with nice thank you notes inside, addressed to those they interviewed with. The expectation being that I would distribute. But they would not include one for me. To be honest, that would upset me just a hair. I work hard during interview season, to make sure that everything goes smooth, that people are in the right place, that there is food, and a place to rest. The least you can do is include a thank you to me, too--especially when you want me to distribute your notes for you. It is the little things that show respect.
 
killerleaf said:
Sending notes are a personal choice. For our program, a note meant that you really were interested in us, and might actually want to rank us and maybe even be a resident with us. Other programs do not share this outlook. Some programs do appreciate the handwritten; others are fine with emails.

One thing that does kinda tick me off, tho: Those that would send a huge envelope, addressed to me, with nice thank you notes inside, addressed to those they interviewed with. The expectation being that I would distribute. But they would not include one for me. To be honest, that would upset me just a hair. I work hard during interview season, to make sure that everything goes smooth, that people are in the right place, that there is food, and a place to rest. The least you can do is include a thank you to me, too--especially when you want me to distribute your notes for you. It is the little things that show respect.
Click to expand...

Wow. That's... amazing how someone would be that obtuse. Sorry to hear that, but duly noted.
 
killerleaf said:
Sending notes are a personal choice. For our program, a note meant that you really were interested in us, and might actually want to rank us and maybe even be a resident with us. Other programs do not share this outlook. Some programs do appreciate the handwritten; others are fine with emails.

One thing that does kinda tick me off, tho: Those that would send a huge envelope, addressed to me, with nice thank you notes inside, addressed to those they interviewed with. The expectation being that I would distribute. But they would not include one for me. To be honest, that would upset me just a hair. I work hard during interview season, to make sure that everything goes smooth, that people are in the right place, that there is food, and a place to rest. The least you can do is include a thank you to me, too--especially when you want me to distribute your notes for you. It is the little things that show respect.
Click to expand...
Seriously??!! That’s crazy!
 
There is always at least three or more every year who would do this. But I guess 3 out of the 100 or so we interview isn't too bad of odds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Termination from Residency
2
Replies
57
Views
3K
Apollyon
A
G
Residency Explorer Confusion
Replies
4
Views
277
gabbythecat
G
U
Switching residency
Replies
4
Views
2K
unicorn24
U
D
Depression in residency
Replies
8
Views
2K
Entadus
Entadus
E
Second residency as IMG
Replies
1
Views
687
NotAProgDirector
NotAProgDirector
Top