Timing of Interviews?

[invitro]

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So what time did people start to get interviews?

I have blocked off Nov/Dec with easy rotations/vacations, in anticipation that during these months I will get the bulk of my interviewing done. In January, I only have two weeks blocked off, and a pretty difficult 2 week rotation (neurosurgery...ugh 🙁) after that.

I plan to turn in all of my stuff super early (on sept 1 if possible!), and my stats are slightly above average [225 step I, us med allo student at middle-tier (not top 50) school, 1 H, 3 HP, 2 P...in med and surg...🙁, two research pubs, 3rd author), mostly H in preclinical], if that helps. Taking step 2 CK in oct, would like to improve a little (maybe break 230), but not really that concerned.

Applying to about 20 progs, 5 transitionals.

What do you think?

Also #2....what progs did people feel have a good mix of DIDACTICS, and decent schedules?

UNC, UCONN, Baystate, Pittsburgh, Jefferson have been thrown around....but what else?

What about PENN STATE/UVA? I would like to hear what people think of UVA in particular...my bro is going down there next year. I have heard MIXED reviews......

invitro

 

[jtw]

you'll be fine. All of november, 1st 2 weeks of december, and all of january are the prime interviewing dates. Few programs interview before or after this, and if you apply early with your stats, you'll get plenty of early invites--you should have little trouble scheduling your interviews. Just remember to check your email daily, and schedule a date right away when you get an invite, even if you're unsure when you can go, because waiting even a day can greatly limit your selection. You can always change or cancel dates later on. good luck.

 

[chicamedica]

say one responds to an early invite right away, is there a disadvantage to scheduling the interview date for later in the season vs earlier? e.g.if one gets a bunch of invites in october/november and schedules them all for january. . .is there any disadvantage to doing so?

 

[achieman]

i personally would not apply to so many programs. That said, this should be your plan if you choose to apply to 20. Get a list of top 5-10 programs from your list of 20. Call them right away and schedule for interview if/when they offer it to you. The other 10 you can wait and see if their dates are convenient. I would not go to more than 10 anes interviews, and no more than 4 prelim interviews unless you really want a 1+3 situation. Another thing you may want to do is apply to more than just 5 prelim interviews depending on how competitive the places are. For me, I had very similar stats as you, got 14 of 14 anes interviews but only 4 of 10 prelim interviews at the same institutions as my anes interviews.

 

[powermd]

Something to keep in mind is that you will get tired of interviewing eventually, and you want to be fresh and enthusiastic for your most important interviews. Originally, I scheduled my interviews roughly in order of least to most competitive in two two-week blocks, on in December, the other in January. In retrospect, I would have scheduled a few 'safeties' first for practice in December, then a few of my top programs, saving January for a mix of middle-range programs. I was pretty drained by my January interviews- all the programs looked the same, and I was running out of 'fresh' sounding questions for interviewers. Now having said all this, it's nice to be able to say to program directors at your top choices "well, I've seen a lot of programs, and here is why I think this program would be a good fit for me..".

I'm not sure if this helped, but good luck!

 

[invitro]

Something to keep in mind is that you will get tired of interviewing eventually, and you want to be fresh and enthusiastic for your most important interviews. Originally, I scheduled my interviews roughly in order of least to most competitive in two two-week blocks, on in December, the other in January. In retrospect, I would have scheduled a few 'safeties' first for practice in December, then a few of my top programs, saving January for a mix of middle-range programs. I was pretty drained by my January interviews- all the programs looked the same, and I was running out of 'fresh' sounding questions for interviewers. Now having said all this, it's nice to be able to say to program directors at your top choices "well, I've seen a lot of programs, and here is why I think this program would be a good fit for me..".

I'm not sure if this helped, but good luck!

Okay...the advice from the above posters was great.

But....now to the hard part. How did you guys "rank programs"? Basically I just want a program that has decent fellowships (pain/peds/cards/critical care) AND has a lifestyle that won't kill me ( morning/lunch/afternoon breaks, and out by ~4-5pm). What did you guys use to find this info out? Scutwork?

What, if any progs are like this?

 

[PassinGas]

You will find out what a program is really like on the interview day. Ask the residents about the schedule. You'll be surprised at their honesty. I had some residents say...we work too hard and have no time to read. I had some say..."my only complaint is that I don't get more OR time on call." There is a wide range. You can search programs' websites to see what fellowships they offer; although, some programs may not post their fellowships, so just ask the residents/program director.

There are plenty of programs that fit your schedule. You'll find out first hand on interviews which one's meet all your criterea. As for how to rank...trust me, you'll know by the end of the interview season how to rank the programs; although, you may go back and fourth on a couple of programs. Each person has their own reasons for ranking. Some go all on name...some go all on location...some go all on program size...some go on the vibe they get during the interview...whatever...you'll have to decide what's important to you. In residency you want to be happy. That's one of the most important.