The all-important pre-interview dinner

[epsilonprodigy]

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How bad is it to miss the dinner because of back-to-back interviews? My dates are getting tight, and I'll be interviewing at a top choice (i.e. Immovable) program the day before another one, meaning I'd arrive too late to attend. Is this generally held against candidates?

 

[Winged Scapula]

How bad is it to miss the dinner because of back-to-back interviews? My dates are getting tight, and I'll be interviewing at a top choice (i.e. Immovable) program the day before another one, meaning I'd arrive too late to attend. Is this generally held against candidates?

Generally? No.

But it is pretty important to go to these things especially in a small field like surgery where camaraderie is so important. It allows you to see the residents in a more casual atmosphere and you can pick up a lot about the program and how the residents interact at the dinners. You should make every effort to go.

That being side, interview season can get tight and programs understand that; I would make sure you are clear to the program why you can't make it (so they don't interpret it as a lack of interest). I would try to be there for them at all but your least favorite places.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

I can see how that would be the case. I have been regarding them as mandatory, but this is a particularly crunched week.

The question that follow: what's the lesser of two evils: attempting to reschedule in order to be able to make it (and be less dependent on everything going as planned, travel-wise), or just explaining and attending the interview day only? I think I may email to explain, see if I can reschedule, but be clear that I'm happy to keep my current date if necessary.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I can see how that would be the case. I have been regarding them as mandatory, but this is a particularly crunched week.

The question that follow: what's the lesser of two evils: attempting to reschedule in order to be able to make it (and be less dependent on everything going as planned, travel-wise), or just explaining and attending the interview day only? I think I may email to explain, see if I can reschedule, but be clear that I'm happy to keep my current date if necessary.

I would contact them and explain the situation stating that you're very interested in the program and you want to be able to be there for all the events and is there another date available, but if not you're happy to except what's been already offered.

 

[thedrjojo]

I can see how that would be the case. I have been regarding them as mandatory, but this is a particularly crunched week.

The question that follow: what's the lesser of two evils: attempting to reschedule in order to be able to make it (and be less dependent on everything going as planned, travel-wise), or just explaining and attending the interview day only? I think I may email to explain, see if I can reschedule, but be clear that I'm happy to keep my current date if necessary.

Having sit in on many post interview reviews, missing the dinner had 0 influence. It's more of a 'iI wish they came so they could have seen our residents and got to enjoy it' type of thing. The preinterview and be a double edged sword as well, people who interacted well can get a boost, mutants can get a black ball, so don't order the creme brule when everyone else is eating bar appetizers that are being shared...

 

[epsilonprodigy]

Haha! There was one where, I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was literally about to puke. Probably the continental breakfast/fried bar appetizer diet I've been on since interviews started. Hopefully I didn't get labeled as the snotty girl who refused to eat, although I'm pretty sure my face was actually green.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Having sit in on many post interview reviews, missing the dinner had 0 influence. It's more of a 'iI wish they came so they could have seen our residents and got to enjoy it' type of thing. The preinterview and be a double edged sword as well, people who interacted well can get a boost, mutants can get a black ball, so don't order the creme brule when everyone else is eating bar appetizers that are being shared...

Though creme brulee is good.

 

[CTFellowMD]

Having sit in on many post interview reviews, missing the dinner had 0 influence. It's more of a 'iI wish they came so they could have seen our residents and got to enjoy it' type of thing. The preinterview and be a double edged sword as well, people who interacted well can get a boost, mutants can get a black ball, so don't order the creme brule when everyone else is eating bar appetizers that are being shared...

Agreed. We definitely didn't hold it against anyone for missing the dinner. However, some people got a boost and others took a hit for how they interacted during it.