Supplemental Program-Specific Questions?

[Nicholaus]

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I received an email from a program that I applied to requesting answers to some "program-specific" questions. First has anyone ever received an email similar to this? Second, what should I make of this? Are they considering me for an interview?

There is a list of 10 questions. Many of the answers are already listed on my CAF/PS, so I'm unsure as to why they are asking this again?

The questions range from: career plans, extracurricular activities/interests, why this program, and if I am applying to any other specialties. Finally, they ask me for my interview date preferences.

On an additional note: I AM applying to different specialties. If I answer "NO" to their question, are they able to find out if I in fact applied to different specialties. Or should just bite the bullet and be honest. My only concern is if I list I'm applying to other specialties, it will show that I'm not primarily interested/committed to their specialty and will make me appear to be a weak applicant.

I know this is long, but thanks for reading it and for the replies 🙂

 

[Nicholaus]

Anyone??

 

[NotAProgDirector]

This is certainly atypical, but there is nothing illegal or unethical about it.

Not sure why they are asking some of the same questions, although much of what you have posted can be in ERAS, but might not be. There is no specific spot for "career interests", or "why this program", etc.

The problem is the question of whether you're applying to other specialties. If you answer it honestly, I expect might make them not interview you. If you don't, then you're lying which isn't good (but they probably will never find out, or if they do because you match into a different field, it won't really matter). No good answer. Remember that you'll have to live with it, no matter what happens.

Theoretically, if you were to match there and they did find out you applied elsewhere, your application would be potentially fraudulent and you could be fired. This would be very unlikely, but you might worry about it for a long time.

 

[Nicholaus]

This is certainly atypical, but there is nothing illegal or unethical about it.

Not sure why they are asking some of the same questions, although much of what you have posted can be in ERAS, but might not be. There is no specific spot for "career interests", or "why this program", etc.

The problem is the question of whether you're applying to other specialties. If you answer it honestly, I expect might make them not interview you. If you don't, then you're lying which isn't good (but they probably will never find out, or if they do because you match into a different field, it won't really matter). No good answer. Remember that you'll have to live with it, no matter what happens.

Theoretically, if you were to match there and they did find out you applied elsewhere, your application would be potentially fraudulent and you could be fired. This would be very unlikely, but you might worry about it for a long time.

As always aProgDirector, thanks for your wise advice! 👍

Is it safe for me to assume that they are interested in interviewing me, or should I not get ahead of myself?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I would assume so, unless they are doing this for purely masochistic reasons.

Or is there a supplemental application fee?

 

[Nicholaus]

I would assume so, unless they are doing this for purely masochistic reasons.

Or is there a supplemental application fee?

No supplemental application fee. So I guess I can let up a little bit, relax, and consider this an invitation for an IV 🙂😀

 

[MagnetoInTx]

This is certainly atypical, but there is nothing illegal or unethical about it.

I had one program ask me to fill out a supplemental application, and they said my application wouldn't be complete until it was submitted. A couple of the questions irked me. One was if I was applying to other specialties, and the other was about the plans and interests of any person that would be living with me during residency. As someone who has had to conduct interviews for other things, I know we're not supposed to ask about family, spouses, etc. It's not like I had anything to hide, but it was just unexpected. What do you think, aProgDirector?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I had one program ask me to fill out a supplemental application, and they said my application wouldn't be complete until it was submitted. A couple of the questions irked me. One was if I was applying to other specialties, and the other was about the plans and interests of any person that would be living with me during residency. As someone who has had to conduct interviews for other things, I know we're not supposed to ask about family, spouses, etc. It's not like I had anything to hide, but it was just unexpected. What do you think, aProgDirector?

The question about other specialties is completely legit. It directly relates to how long you are likely to stay in the job.

The question about plans and interests of others is probably illegal as worded. One can get around this by asking: "One concern some previous applicants have been concerned about is their SO / family members obtaining employment, or fitting in to the local area. Do you have any concerns in this area I could answer for you?". Note you can simply answer "No".

 

[Nicholaus]

So it turns out that I received an email this morning notifying me that I had been rejected from this very program that had provided a "supplemental questionnaire"!

I'm REALLY disappointed as I was really looking forward to interviewing at their program especially since one of the questions was asking my interview date preferences!

What kind of sick joke is this? If they were going to reject me from the very beginning, then why send me a "supplemental questionnaire" packet?

😡

 

[Frugal Traveler]

What two specialties are you applying to?