Should I be worried about not getting any calls from PD's???

[VALSALVA]

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It seems that some folks got phone calls from some PD's expressing "warm fuzzies" and what not. Is this a common occurance? I ask because I didn't get any phone calls and it's starting to bug me.

Thanks in advance,

VALSALVA

 

[superdood]

kinda late now, the rank list deadline passed last week. no need to worry, just wait for the 15th.

 

[VALSALVA]

I guess what I mean is...is it typical for PD's to call candidates (before/well before the deadline)? I think I'm a combination of curious AND concerned.

Thanks

 

[deleted113029]

I guess what I mean is...is it typical for PD's to call candidates (before/well before the deadline)? I think I'm a combination of curious AND concerned.

Thanks

Yes, PDs do call candidates before the ROL deadline. a ? you should ask yourself is if your application deserved 'special attention' in your field. if you have average stats then you shouldn't expect 'warm fuzzies' as you said. BUT if you have stellar stats/achievements then you should have expected some feedback whether it be calls/emails. (this is in general and not applicable to all fields.)

 

[Pox in a box]

Some programs will send you postcards, emails, call you (less of the norm in my opinion now that email is used), letters, etc. but some won't send anything at all. It's all dependent on the program (and probably the competitiveness of the program and of the specialty). I wouldn't worry unless you know others have received these "warm fuzzies" applying to the same program in the same specialty.

 

[Blue Rover]

It seems that some folks got phone calls from some PD's expressing "warm fuzzies" and what not. Is this a common occurance? I ask because I didn't get any phone calls and it's starting to bug me.

I had a couple programs call and email me. I also did get "warm fuzzy" snail mail from a few other programs, but they didn't call.

My guess is that if you're applying to a program that typically has many, many spots like IM, you may not get a love letter/call and still match there. If you're applying to a program with fewer spots (e.g., derm, general surgery) and you don't get a love letter, you're probably lower down on their list, with likely lower chances of matching there.

Ultimately, this is a truly academic question at this point. All we can do is wait.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I didn't get a single PD calling me, but matched very high on my list anyway. Don't worry.

 

[VALSALVA]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'm not typically a worrier, but I've been thinking about the match all day and it's driving me crazy!!

 

[Byronsgoat]

If I was a PD or a Dept. Chair I would institute a policy where we would:

1) Call/email all top candidates or
2) Not call/email anyone regardless of how qualified

Most good programs (and organizations in general) develop methods for managing these types of things and then adhere to the rules. There are advantages to both policies above - #1 lets candidates know that the program is interested in them and, perhaps, gets the program higher on the candidate's ROL; the downside is that you create fodder for forums like SDN - e.g. "the PD from BWH called me to find out how my ROL was coming..." - this causes much despair for many applicants and may lead to a downgrading of that program on other ROLs. #2 keeps it a mystery. Some may think that no news is bad news; but perhaps not. If I were a PD or Dept. Chair, I would strongly consider #2 - and tell all applicants that it was the policy. Most probably don't.

I applied to 11 programs, interviewed at 10. I've heard from 3 programs close to the deadline (2 by phone, 1 by email) but my top choice is a program that did not reach out to me.

Be confident. More importantly, be relaxed.

 

[Bitsy3221]

There are some programs (at least in surgery) that have a "no contact" policy--they will not call/write/email/send flowers to any applicants, regardless of how they feel about them. Sometimes these programs alert their applicants to this policy and sometimes they don't, so I wouldn't worry too much if you did not get any feedback.

But like someone already said, there is nothing to do now but wait! 🙂

 

[deleted109597]

I wouldn't mind either of Byron's policies if the programs would, in fact, state these policies.
Also, they could just put their cutoffs on ERAS, so that you could bother to waste your time with them or not.

 

[VALSALVA]

If I was a PD or a Dept. Chair I would institute a policy where we would:

1) Call/email all top candidates or
2) Not call/email anyone regardless of how qualified

Most good programs (and organizations in general) develop methods for managing these types of things and then adhere to the rules. There are advantages to both policies above - #1 lets candidates know that the program is interested in them and, perhaps, gets the program higher on the candidate's ROL; the downside is that you create fodder for forums like SDN - e.g. "the PD from BWH called me to find out how my ROL was coming..." - this causes much despair for many applicants and may lead to a downgrading of that program on other ROLs. #2 keeps it a mystery. Some may think that no news is bad news; but perhaps not. If I were a PD or Dept. Chair, I would strongly consider #2 - and tell all applicants that it was the policy. Most probably don't.

I applied to 11 programs, interviewed at 10. I've heard from 3 programs close to the deadline (2 by phone, 1 by email) but my top choice is a program that did not reach out to me.

Be confident. More importantly, be relaxed.

This is a great post! I especially appreciated your final sentiment. I'm currently drinking a glass of champagne and trying my best to be "chill."

 

[JMK2005]

It seems that some folks got phone calls from some PD's expressing "warm fuzzies" and what not. Is this a common occurance? I ask because I didn't get any phone calls and it's starting to bug me.

Thanks in advance,

VALSALVA

I thought it was against match rules for a program to initiate contact with an applicants. Don't buy too much into these warm fuzzies. In the end, you should rank programs in YOUR order. These are all games programs play. Applicants play this game too. Were all the "thank you", and "you have an awesome program, and i would really like to go there" letters/emails people send out really that sincere.

But like everyone said, chill and hope that the programs u liked also liked you. Then it'll be a wonderful matched, destined to be.

 

[Bitsy3221]

I thought it was against match rules for a program to initiate contact with an applicants

It is against Match rules for a program to ask an applicant where they are ranking them, or to pressure them into changing their rank order, just as it is a violation for an applicant to ask a program where they are ranking them. It is not a violation to initiate contact or offer information by either party--they can call you and tell them information about you just like you can send that "you are my #1" love letter to your top choice. Applicants and programs are held to the same standard when it comes to post-interview contact--you can make it and tell whatever you want, but don't ask anything! 🙂

Having said that, I still wouldn't read too much into anything any program told you (or didn't tell you!)

 

[MediCane2006]

I matched high on my rank list for Gen Surg last year and didn't get a single call from a PD. Don't stress it. Just keep drinking and wait for the 15th....good luck!