Some programs aren't downloading applications

[stormjen]

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. . . and it's driving me crazy. Perhaps someone should remind them that ERAS HAS OPENED!!!

U of Michigan hasn't

Medical College of Virginia hasn't

yoo-hoo, hi, download my files please, thank you

 

[governaitor]

I know it is frustrating but don't sweat it. They'll get to it.

 

[yaah]

Last year UMich didn't download anybody's applications until early november, so I think you can relax. Everyone operates on a different schedule. For every program that downloads everything as soon as it comes in and starts scheduling interviews early on there is one that just waits a bit. Don't take it to mean anything. And similarly, just because they have downloaded your application doesn't mean that they will be making a decision on interviews soon. Sometimes the downloading is done by a secretary who is simply putting the applications together and the PD may not see it for awhile. Sometimes the PD does the downloading.

ADTS is a nice feature to check if your LORs are in and uploaded, and that your application is in order, but it is kind of frustrating to be able to get just that tiniest glimpse into programs' behaviors. The problem is, it's just that. A tiny glimpse.

 

[deschutes]

Heh stormjen, I can identify 🙂 I feel like a cat watching a mousehole sometimes!

Most of the time though, with clinicals to occupy my mind, I don't think about it at all. Are you guys at this time in 4th year mostly on electives? subinternships?

 

[b&ierstiefel]

3 of the 20 places I applied to haven't done any downloading...Michigan is one of them. But reading yaah's and others' posts last year regarding their experiences with Michigan, I'm not surprised at all.

I'm still waiting for letters to be uploaded to the ERAS post office so it seems that it will be a long while before I get any interviews. Just sitting here patiently...trying not to think about all this madness 🙂

 

[Weil-Felix]

A few places wait until after November 1st, when the Dean's letters come out. That way, they get everything all at once. Don't sweat it.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

only speak for those at Michigan.

Here, we have to do 2 months of subinternsh1ts and they have to be either back to back or can be separated by one month. Some of us do our subIs late in the year or do them really early to get them out of the way or to try to acquire additional LORs. After that, it's all electives baby!!!

Whatevah! Whatevah! I do what I waaaant!

Pie sounds good about nyah!

Heh stormjen, I can identify 🙂 I feel like a cat watching a mousehole sometimes!

Most of the time though, with clinicals to occupy my mind, I don't think about it at all. Are you guys at this time in 4th year mostly on electives? subinternships?

 

[stormjen]

A few places wait until after November 1st, when the Dean's letters come out. That way, they get everything all at once. Don't sweat it.

Weil-Felix! Hahaha! I was just studying for Step 2 and was memorizing that Felix the cat picked up ticks in the Rocky Mountains, so I could remember that silly test. Hey, I'm learning, Mom!

 

[sandyworks]

I've got three more programs outstanding, MGH, U Chic, and BU. But more importantly, I'm finally trying to curb how many times I check ADAT a day (errr...guess I better not share any numbers...) Anyway, it's just like yaah said, downloading doesn't mean anyone is actually looking at the application.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I've got three more programs outstanding, MGH, U Chic, and BU. But more importantly, I'm finally trying to curb how many times I check ADAT a day (errr...guess I better not share any numbers...) Anyway, it's just like yaah said, downloading doesn't mean anyone is actually looking at the application.

My application got downloaded by Chicago but it was one of the last ones to do so...I suspect Chicago should download your application very soon. As for MGH, they haven't downloaded a thing...but they could be holding out for a while like Michigan.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

If you recently applied to Duke, you will be receiving an email saying that they must have 2 LORs and a USMLE step 1 score above 80 for them to screen your application. Just letting y'all know...if you're somebody who's really itching to get that Duke interview 🙂

Cheers!

 

[Weil-Felix]

Weil-Felix! Hahaha! I was just studying for Step 2 and was memorizing that Felix the cat picked up ticks in the Rocky Mountains, so I could remember that silly test. Hey, I'm learning, Mom!

I'm glad you like it. I think it's funny that this obscure lab test is still being covered on the boards, even though nobody's used it in, like, twenty years. You just gotta love esoteric stuff like that!

 

[sandyworks]

I just got that email from Duke too...unfortunately, none of my letters are in yet. It's kinda funny that they won't even take a look at you without hearing what people had to say about you.

btw, MGH actually downloaded my application today, so I'm down to U Chic and BU. It's so weird...I had all of my stuff up except for LoRs, and yet U Chic decided to only download the profile and the CAP. What's up with that?

Oh, question for y'all...our chair of pathology makes anyone who wants a letter from him write their own letter. He then "tweaks" it. To me, this sounds like a horrible idea; what does everybody think? I wouldn't bother except that I think some programs specifically asked for a chairman's letter...don't ask me which ones now; I really don't remember.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Yeah...MGH downloaded my stuff today too. I think Chicago will DL your application soon.

Like you, I also have no letters uploaded yet. One letter should be uploaded either tomorrow or early next week; fortunately that will be the most supportive letter so hopefully the PD's will download it. The others...maybe uploaded next week or the week after (best case scenario as I don't nag letter writers...I'll just sit and watch with increasing anxiety as the next few weeks unfold). Oh well, at this point, most of it is out of my control...so, it's time to have fun and enjoy 4th year med school 🙂

Oh BTW, I think writing your own LOR is truly a terrible idea. I would totally be playing mind games with myself if I was in that situation.

 

[yaah]

Being asked to write your own LOR is inappropriate. They are more than entitled to ask you to provide them with a CV, or even a statement about your interests and goals. But to ask you to write the LOR yourself? Inappropriate.

I know it would be a tough thing to do, but I would tell him you don't feel comfortable doing that although you would be happy to provide him with all the information he needs. Unless he is doing this out of laziness he should understand.

Hmmm...no programs I applied to (and I applied to many big names) asked for a chairman's letter. I had 3 path letters, 1 from a program director, one from a director of AP, and one from a bigwig attending at another institution.

And yes, programs will download things separately. Prepare also for the fact that they re-download things several times. So, starting soon, your ADTS screen will probably read that your various components have been downloaded several times each. This is nothing to worry about, and doesn't mean ANYTHING except they are updating their files. I don't know how the system exactly works, whether they receive notification if anything is updated or added on someone's profile. But really, ADTS is a nice feature to make sure things are happening but nothing more. And don't worry if they haven't downloaded everything. They will get to it. It's still early.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

It's still early.

dude, are you high? we're already 2 weeks into application season....aaahhhhh! no interviews here! i'm not gonna match! i'm gonna die homeless, penniless...in a VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

😀

 

[sandyworks]

dude, are you high? we're already 2 weeks into application season....aaahhhhh! no interviews here! i'm not gonna match! i'm gonna die homeless, penniless...in a VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

😀

Somebody! Quick! Do the Heimlich or CPR or SOMETHING for Andy! He's freaking out, he's losing it, he's going down!!!!!

In regards to the chairman's letter, I think he's asking all all the med students to write our own. I've heard from residents that he does that when they're applying for fellowships too (read, even if he knows people well, he doesn't write the letter). I don't know...I think I'll try to write it. The nice thing is, our dean's office secretary is awesome...she won't give us specifics, but she lets you know how good/crappy your letters are so you don't send out bad ones.

 

[QuietSylph]

The nice thing is, our dean's office secretary is awesome...she won't give us specifics, but she lets you know how good/crappy your letters are so you don't send out bad ones.

It sucks... ours told us up front she won't give any hint as to which ones are good or only so-so. 👎

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Just out of curiosity...which programs you're applying to requires a chairman letter? I've seen a PD letter as a requirement in a school or two but haven't seen a chair letter requirement. Of course, some program websites are a big cryptic in terms of listing their requirements.

 

[yaah]

Just out of curiosity...which programs you're applying to requires a chairman letter? I've seen a PD letter as a requirement in a school or two but haven't seen a chair letter requirement. Of course, some program websites are a big cryptic in terms of listing their requirements.

None that I applied to last year required chairman letters. Or PD letters. All they asked for was a suggestion that it might be helpful to have a letter from a pathologist (duh) and the normal requirements (deans letter, transcript).

 

[deschutes]

I think PD letters are required only for people applying from their (transitional?) PGY-1 year.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Yeah...a few days ago, I downloaded some PDF file from the UNC site...it said that you need a letter from the dean, letter from the chair of the chosen specialty, and a third letter. However, it seemed to be a general file and not specifically linked to the pathology department.

None of the other programs I looked seemed to indicate the need for a chair or PD letter.

I'm kinda undecided about acquiring a PD letter at this point. I've only met with him 2-3 times in the last few months and haven't directly worked with him at all...I suspect that all he can say about me is stuff on my CV and some general comments.

 

[deschutes]

None of the other programs I looked seemed to indicate the need for a chair or PD letter.

Application requirements seem... undemanding, if that is the right word. It seems to be that we're being asked to "come now, show me what you've got!"

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Application requirements seem... undemanding, if that is the right word. It seems to be that we're being asked to "come now, show me what you've got!"

I get the same impression too.

They say, "Bring it!"
We say, "Oh! It's already been broughten!"

 

[cytoborg]

Glad you mentioned that Andy. I noticed that too. I've only ever conversed with the chair a few times - so I'm not sure that a letter from him would be very useful. I'm hoping the UNC thing is a general guideline for most specialties, i.e. medicine where chair letters are pretty much par for the course. In fact I heard a rumor that every single person doing a medicine sub-i at my school gets letter from the chair automatically (which is a little scary if you think about it, I mean what if he doesn't take a liking to you? Too bad, no soup for you). So I have a hunch that's what it's talking about. Fingers crossed.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Glad you mentioned that Andy. I noticed that too. I've only ever conversed with the chair a few times - so I'm not sure that a letter from him would be very useful. I'm hoping the UNC thing is a general guideline for most specialties, i.e. medicine where chair letters are pretty much par for the course. In fact I heard a rumor that every single person doing a medicine sub-i at my school gets letter from the chair automatically (which is a little scary if you think about it, I mean what if he doesn't take a liking to you? Too bad, no soup for you). So I have a hunch that's what it's talking about. Fingers crossed.

Yeah I've decided not to get a PD letter...don't think I really need it and I'm not sure how enthusiastic it will be. I can't really read our PD very well...none of my friends going into path this year could either. Most of us have gotten 1 or 2 letters from pathology, the rest being from other departmental attendings. We think we should be fine...but you never know 😱

I am still a firm believer that all this application stuff is a total crapshoot.