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A few minutes ago, in my inbox popped a rejection email. No problem, these things happen. What I didn't expect was to have the emails of several hundred other applicants (co-rejectees) also included as part of this email. It is likely that many of you just got this same email.
These group emails with other emails listed have happened before
1. with a few interview invites (to a much smaller list, obviously, maybe about 40- these probably should be done privately as well IMO, but this has only happened once or twice to me)
2. with follow-up information about an interview to just that day's participants (7-15, perhaps, this to me is fine, also allows candidates to plan taxis/hotels together).
On a rejection email, I find it very unprofessional, for obvious reasons.
I'm not really concerned about the legality of the issue per se, but with all areas of medicine (including ophtho) coming down on everyone with how important privacy is, this to me is just unacceptable. There are numerous ways to send out a "mass" email like this one, where the recipient only sees their own name in the "to" field. They are very simple to do and spare people the potential embarrassment of public rejection.
Yes, you are an ophthalmology residency, and yes, you do get giant piles of applications, and yes they are very hard to sift through, and yes, you have incredibly high demand for your spots regardless of where you are located, and yes etc etc.
However, whether you think a candidate walks on water or whether you think a candidate is wasting your time, a little respect for all candidates goes a long way. I think how a residency program treats a candidate they have no interest in says just as much as (if not more than) how they treat a candidate they really want.
For those curious, here is the email (minus the 100's of emails, and with the name of the program X'ed out)
November 10, 2007
Re: Application Status
Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your interest in residency training at XXX. We have
thoroughly reviewed your application materials, and we congratulate you for your many achievements.
As you are aware, ophthalmology is a very competitive field. This year we
have received more than 350 applications for only 3 residency positions.
Unfortunately, due to the number of outstanding applications this year we
are unable to offer you a personal interview at this time.
I wish you every success in your future endeavors. Please do not hesitate
to contact me if there is any further assistance I may provide.
These group emails with other emails listed have happened before
1. with a few interview invites (to a much smaller list, obviously, maybe about 40- these probably should be done privately as well IMO, but this has only happened once or twice to me)
2. with follow-up information about an interview to just that day's participants (7-15, perhaps, this to me is fine, also allows candidates to plan taxis/hotels together).
On a rejection email, I find it very unprofessional, for obvious reasons.
I'm not really concerned about the legality of the issue per se, but with all areas of medicine (including ophtho) coming down on everyone with how important privacy is, this to me is just unacceptable. There are numerous ways to send out a "mass" email like this one, where the recipient only sees their own name in the "to" field. They are very simple to do and spare people the potential embarrassment of public rejection.
Yes, you are an ophthalmology residency, and yes, you do get giant piles of applications, and yes they are very hard to sift through, and yes, you have incredibly high demand for your spots regardless of where you are located, and yes etc etc.
However, whether you think a candidate walks on water or whether you think a candidate is wasting your time, a little respect for all candidates goes a long way. I think how a residency program treats a candidate they have no interest in says just as much as (if not more than) how they treat a candidate they really want.
For those curious, here is the email (minus the 100's of emails, and with the name of the program X'ed out)
November 10, 2007
Re: Application Status
Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your interest in residency training at XXX. We have
thoroughly reviewed your application materials, and we congratulate you for your many achievements.
As you are aware, ophthalmology is a very competitive field. This year we
have received more than 350 applications for only 3 residency positions.
Unfortunately, due to the number of outstanding applications this year we
are unable to offer you a personal interview at this time.
I wish you every success in your future endeavors. Please do not hesitate
to contact me if there is any further assistance I may provide.
