The Dangers of wanting to go to a specific program ---OLDPSYCHDOC!!!

[Poety]

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Hi Everyone,

I really just wanted to talk about something else on here. Are any of you finding that you're leaning toward certain programs before you've even interviewed yet? LIke they seem to have the type of residents you'd like, great location, etc etc - and what do you think the dangers of this is.

After all, this is the MATCH - and I wanted to ask OLDPSYCHDOC and others who have gone through this how common it is to be mislead by PD's in THIS field. I can understand it being done in a lot of the more competitive ones, but would you say the "game" is played a lot more in psych or a lot less?

I'm asking because I intend on telling my number one program that they are my number one and give them the reasons why. I'm just wondering (and yes I did read the old thread about empty promises) if getting positive response back would be a good sign.

I can't wait to start interviewing next week. I really do hope we all walk away with a great experience at the very least, and if we end up scramblin "eh" sobeit - I have faith it will all work out.

So whats everyone elses thoughts?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Hi Everyone,

I really just wanted to talk about something else on here. Are any of you finding that you're leaning toward certain programs before you've even interviewed yet? LIke they seem to have the type of residents you'd like, great location, etc etc - and what do you think the dangers of this is.

After all, this is the MATCH - and I wanted to ask OLDPSYCHDOC and others who have gone through this how common it is to be mislead by PD's in THIS field. I can understand it being done in a lot of the more competitive ones, but would you say the "game" is played a lot more in psych or a lot less?
...

1) The main danger is making up your mind before you 've gathered all the data, and having preconceived notions that alter your perceptions. I kind of filtered out negative impressions I had of a certain program and was floating on a cloud of idealism about it--until my wife and I actually interviewed there and I fortunately realized it wasn't right for us.

2) I *think* that psych PDs are more straightforward, and the match is less gamey, just because it is a "less competitive" field. If you're a US medical grad with reasonable credentials you are HIGHLY likely to find a spot.
I'll just say what an advisor told me--don't tell them you're making them #1 unless you really ARE ranking them #1. And don't necessarily expect a response--PDs are used to being lied to about these things, and they tend to take these declarations with a grain of salt. I haven't served on a selection and ranking committee, so I can't say what goes on there. Just rank things based on YOUR preferences, and DON'T RANK A PROGRAM--ANY PROGRAM--IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO THERE!

Good luck--I'm pulling for you all.

 

[Poety]

1) The main danger is making up your mind before you 've gathered all the data, and having preconceived notions that alter your perceptions. I kind of filtered out negative impressions I had of a certain program and was floating on a cloud of idealism about it--until my wife and I actually interviewed there and I fortunately realized it wasn't right for us.

2) I *think* that psych PDs are more straightforward, and the match is less gamey, just because it is a "less competitive" field. If you're a US medical grad with reasonable credentials you are HIGHLY likely to find a spot.
I'll just say what an advisor told me--don't tell them you're making them #1 unless you really ARE ranking them #1. And don't necessarily expect a response--PDs are used to being lied to about these things, and they tend to take these declarations with a grain of salt. I haven't served on a selection and ranking committee, so I can't say what goes on there. Just rank things based on YOUR preferences, and DON'T RANK A PROGRAM--ANY PROGRAM--IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO THERE!

Good luck--I'm pulling for you all.

Thanks oldpsychdoc! I can't wait to be like you when I grow up You're the mack daddy on the psych gme board!


I won't make up my mind and I'll just tell my NUMBER ONE that they are so there's no messing around - I'm not into games.

thanks for all the advice you give us here, it REALLY IS a big help and much appreciated! 🙂

Poety

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Thanks oldpsychdoc! I can't wait to be like you when I grow up You're the mack daddy on the psych gme board!

I now really fear that I am TRULY OLD as I have NO idea what that last sentence meant! 😱 😕

Happy to be of what ever limited help I can be... 🙂

 

[Poety]

I now really fear that I am TRULY OLD as I have NO idea what that last sentence meant! 😱 😕

Happy to be of what ever limited help I can be... 🙂

Don't feel OLD! My daughter will be 4 when I'm out of residency too just as Mosche pointed out! And if you're old , IM OLD - and I'm a woman so I CANT BE OLD OK?

You are a great presence to have here in the forum, I'm glad I found this forum again after being gone for the 4 years of med school!

 

[Hurricane]

I now really fear that I am TRULY OLD as I have NO idea what that last sentence meant! 😱 😕

I think it means you're cool. 😉

 

[mosche]

In Arkansas, "mack daddy" means that you have so many younguns that you have to tote them around in a Mack truck. BTW, Poety we're working on hatching us a youngun -- these things take time.

 

[Poety]

I know you are - I'm sprinkin some fertile dust on ya 😉 👍 👍

 

[OldPsychDoc]

In Arkansas, "mack daddy" means that you have so many younguns that you have to tote them around in a Mack truck. BTW, Poety we're working on hatching us a youngun -- these things take time.

Then I prob'ly am an Arkansas mack daddy, 'cuz I got me way too many younguns... 😱

 

[Poety]

"YOUNGUN" I really hope I get to go south, I can't wait to start saying, "my younguns" and "howdy ya'll" 😛

 

[mosche]

I'm hoping to end up in Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan -- just so that I can learn to speak quasi-Canadian. After completing a geriatric fellowship, I plan to live in Canada for a few years (so I can work with retired Americans ) and a mastery of the Canadian language will come in handy!

BTW, I too find myself split. I really want to stay where I am; however, I keep telling myself that I need to keep an open mind while on the interview trail. I REALLY hate NOT KNOWING where I will be next year.

 

[Poety]

I'm hoping to end up in Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Michigan -- just so that I can learn to speak quasi-Canadian. After completing a geriatric fellowship, I plan to live in Canada for a few years (so I can work with retired Americans ) and a mastery of the Canadian language will come in handy!

BTW, I too find myself split. I really want to stay where I am; however, I keep telling myself that I need to keep an open mind while on the interview trail. I REALLY hate NOT KNOWING where I will be next year.

yeah its so tough isn't it Mosche? However, its kind of an adventure - none of us knowing where we'll end up, who we'll meet, what the future will bring - its all a bit of kismet and I'm just loving that.

However, I'm finding the wait to be exhausting and mind-numbing. I'm bored all day most days since I've finished up most everything except for (2) 4th year requirements!

I just pray I'll get in somewhere and that somewhere is where I'm supposed to be.

I'm sure you're going to do great and get into your number 1 Mosche so don't worry! As for me, I could end up here, or 1500 miles away with an entire family to relocate (including PETS 😱 )

The south does sound so nice though.... <daydreaming> 😴

 

[mosche]

The thought of snow sounds blissful! <daydreaming> 😴 😴

 

[Poety]

The thought of snow sounds blissful! <daydreaming> 😴 😴

Oh you can have this snow! I'm FREEZING all the time, our gas bills are through the roof, electric has SKYROCKETED, and our taxes keep increasing in this state since its run by such crooked politicians!

Oy Vay, I have got to get outta here 😳

Snowboarding IS fun though isn't it?

 

[mosche]

Oh you can have this snow! I'm FREEZING all the time, our gas bills are through the roof, electric has SKYROCKETED, and our taxes keep increasing in this state since its run by such crooked politicians!

Oy Vay, I have got to get outta here 😳

Snowboarding IS fun though isn't it?

Well, fortunately, we don't allow crooked politicians in the south -- except for Frist, Delay,....