VIRMP Interviews

[pp9]

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I dislike making new threads, but I couldn't find a super relevant thread on match interviews already.

So my question is this: How many of you out there have had some confusing/unfortunate interview experiences?

As for my confusing interviews, I had two (one phone, one in person) where I was not asked a single question. The interviewers each spent 20ish minutes describing the program (essentially reading off what is already posted on the VIRMP site), and one even started talking about her own rotating internship at a completely different hospital. I'm excited that they wanted to interview me (I'm assuming that programs don't interview all their applicants, or do they?), but I just don't know what to make of these 'interviews.' With the rank deadline approaching, do you guys have any thoughts about this or similar experiences? The two interviews were for two different locations in the same private practice chain. A current intern/friend at one of the locations told me she had more of a traditional interview experience the year prior, but she wasn't interviewed by the same person.

Unfortunate interview: I spent several hundred dollars to visit a program for about 2 days. The intern director was honestly a bit nasty to me the whole time (she was very friendly over email, though) and I could tell she is intimidating to her staff, as techs were very hesitant to approach her on numerous occasions. While I'm glad I visited and now know I'd probably be unhappy there, has anyone else been pretty disappointed in a program visit? I know there are crappy programs out there, but I had always heard decent things about this place. I'm fairly certain I won't even be ranking the program, and I'm confident I don't want to be there. Just looking for support, I guess. The other doctors there were pretty nice, I just don't know if I ended up being a disappointment to the director or what. I don't think she ever actually looked at me when she talked to me. It was just weird.

 

[KCgophervet]

Can't really comment on the first but for the second, yes absolutely.

You may see it as unfortunate but really that money and time you spent visiting may have saved you a year of bad experience. I visited a few places where the outcome of the visit was me realizing the program or the people were not a good match for me, despite how it appeared on paper. Honestly that's the best thing about interviews is being able to find out the real story behind the program description.

 

[JaynaAli]

I agree with kcoughli, as a student I spent three weeks as a clin path extern at a school only to realize within days that I had no interest in pursuing my application to their program any more. On the other side, I did a two week externship at the place I am now and thought it was wonderful. Reality has been different than it seemed those two weeks for sure but overall I feel like I’m being well prepared for boards.

Regarding interviews, I applied to twenty places and had one interview. And it wasn’t to the place I matched to. It went okay...about half them talking about the program, 1/4 me asking stuff, and 1/4 situational things. I had visited the place I matched to for four days as a 3rd year so maybe that’s why they didn’t interview me but clearly ranked me? I know academic places can’t interview everyone that applies...there are too many applicants. When my internship mentors were reviewing the incoming applicants when I was there, they definitely weeded through them despite it being a smaller program with fewer applicants.

 

[pp9]

I guess I don't see the point of a 30 minute phone interview (or in person) if you're not going to actually interview me, yanno? Why bother? I don't need you to read off the VIRMP page for your program. I feel they gleaned no additional information about me as a person. I even asked the in-person interviewer if she had any questions for me and she said "Well we have your application."

The other interview I had was a structured interview. About 10 minutes with the COO, then maybe 15 minutes with a small panel of doctors to work through a case. The COO asked some off the wall questions (if you've interviewed at this place you'll probably be able to guess where, as he's asked the same questions every year apparently), but it was overall a better experience than just being talked at for a while.

 

[KCgophervet]

I guess I don't see the point of a 30 minute phone interview (or in person) if you're not going to actually interview me, yanno? Why bother? I don't need you to read off the VIRMP page for your program. I feel they gleaned no additional information about me as a person. I even asked the in-person interviewer if she had any questions for me and she said "Well we have your application."

The other interview I had was a structured interview. About 10 minutes with the COO, then maybe 15 minutes with a small panel of doctors to work through a case. The COO asked some off the wall questions (if you've interviewed at this place you'll probably be able to guess where, as he's asked the same questions every year apparently), but it was overall a better experience than just being talked at for a while.

I guess that is pretty weird. At my program when the residents get our "interview" slot it's mostly used for the applicant to ask US questions. But that's only 30 minutes of the full day interview session so... yeah kinda weird. I would I guess just make sure to ask all the questions and make sure you get as much info as you can about the program while you get the chance.

 

[VetMedSurvivalGuide]

Programs definitely do not interview all applicants, unless there are few to begin with (programs don't like dealing with open positions on match day).

Also, remember that some interviews are not truly interviews - they are mostly a chance for applicants to know more about the program and to chat with a faculty member. And sometimes those "confusing interviews" happen. On the other hand, other programs will have highly structured interviews - it is highly dependent on the program and if it's for an internship or residency. Residency programs will likely be much more structured since they will be investing 3 yrs in teaching you, but there are always exceptions.

Since visiting is not always feasible (time and money reasons), contacting the current interns and residents (depending on what you're applying to) is always a good idea - they will share the good, the bad and the ugly about the programs, which will help you make the decision of ranking them or not.

Bottom line, interviews (or the lack of thereof) do not necessarily mean anything for the Match. You should still rank programs in the order that you'd want to go to, interview or not.