Residency interview invites?

[ChasingtheCurve]

I recognize this is a premature question as we are only 2 weeks into this crazy process, but some experiences from previous applicants might be of use. When do radiation oncology programs typically start contacting applicants for interviews? I know applicants from other specialties have already started receiving interviews and was wondering if rad onc is known as a "early send out" group, or do they like to wait until late October or later. Any thoughts would be great!

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[arthurdent]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=569796&highlight=interview+invitations

Michigan sent out invites early October-ish last year. IIRC, things started to really pick up in November. Last year's ASTRO was ~6 weeks earlier than this year - not sure how that will affect things, could go either way

 

[bragmt]

I was nervous about this as well after I submitted my applications and heard almost NOTHING for 2 months. All my friends where racking up the interviews for medicine, anesthesia, etc and I was getting nothing. I got one for New York Methodist in early october, then nothing till November, then starting November 2-3 I got a solid 1-2 per day totaling at least 30 invites. At the 15th I went out for a great dinner, feeling better that I was going to "get a slice of the Rad Onc pie."

BTW for all you nervous about matching just WAIT till you are on a rotation as an intern where you are q4 call, you will thank every second that you went to a speciality that is home call. Or when you miss Sat's with the fam or wifey because you have to go in and admit patients, you will be loving the Rad Onc life even more.

Now lets just hope this socialist president does not screw up united states cancer care and our future ability to treat patients with life saving radiation.

 

[cgk]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=569796&highlight=interview+invitations

Michigan sent out invites early October-ish last year. IIRC, things started to really pick up in November. Last year's ASTRO was ~6 weeks earlier than this year - not sure how that will affect things, could go either way

My 3rd letter of recommendation won't be in until the beginning of October. Should this pose a problem for me as far as getting programs to look at my application and invite me for interviews?

 

[arthurdent]

My 3rd letter of recommendation won't be in until the beginning of October. Should this pose a problem for me as far as getting programs to look at my application and invite me for interviews?

Well, for starters, Dean's letters aren't released until Nov 1, and I would imagine that most programs wait for that, supported by the fact that the big flood of invites comes out about two weeks later.

IIRC, my final letters didn't post until early October - and I still managed to end up with an early invite to UM, so don't sweat it.

Just make sure to f/u with your letter writers to gently push them to actually meet those deadlines