What are the disadvantages to applying to a lot

[sebsvenmdc]

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of residency programs? I know cost is, but how much does each application to a school cost? Are we talking $10 to add a program or something like $70 per program?

ALSO, if you turn down interviews, do you have to call and send no thank you e-mails to every program? I'm thinking that would be polite and nice and such, but kind of daunting!

In a nutshell: just wanting to know what the downside of applying to lots of programs is!

 

[ShyRem]

downsides:

cost. Keeping track of all those applications. Potentially scheduling lots of interviews and then having to pay for lots of interviews. Answering all those emails.

And YES, you should ABSOLUTELY respond to EVERY SINGLE interview offer. Yes, no, and can we schedule it later. You do NOT want to be burning any bridges you may need later for fellowships or for job prospects.

 

[Taurus]

I would spend as money as I need to in order to successfully match. Some people may just apply to 10 while others may apply to 100 programs. The one thing you want to avoid is to go unmatched because you were being cheap. One year of sitting on your butt doing nothing will cost you more than applying.

 

[atsai3]

of residency programs? I know cost is, but how much does each application to a school cost? Are we talking $10 to add a program or something like $70 per program?

ALSO, if you turn down interviews, do you have to call and send no thank you e-mails to every program? I'm thinking that would be polite and nice and such, but kind of daunting!

In a nutshell: just wanting to know what the downside of applying to lots of programs is!

If you don't match, then you are set back one year in your goal of getting into residency ($50,000/yr salary), and you will be set back one year in your goal of making an attending salary ($100,000/yr or more depending on academics vs. private, depending on specialty, etc). That should put it in perspective. Trying to skimp on $50 here and $50 there is probably not a good idea, especially if you are a marginal candidate.

-AT.

 

[sebsvenmdc]

downsides:

cost. Keeping track of all those applications. Potentially scheduling lots of interviews and then having to pay for lots of interviews. Answering all those emails.

And YES, you should ABSOLUTELY respond to EVERY SINGLE interview offer. Yes, no, and can we schedule it later. You do NOT want to be burning any bridges you may need later for fellowships or for job prospects.

Exactly, so I'm wondering how much work is involved in declining interview offers. Can you send a generic nice little message? I'm not trying to be presumptuous about offers, but I want to be careful with digging administrative ditches. 4th year is busy already!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

A polite email that you have decided not to interview will suffice. I doubt you will find that terribly time consuming. If you are fortunate to have too many interviews, deciding which to decline can be a difficult task -- but that's a good problem to have!

 

[calespine]

A polite email that you have decided not to interview will suffice. I doubt you will find that terribly time consuming. If you are fortunate to have too many interviews, deciding which to decline can be a difficult task -- but that's a good problem to have!

How big a deal is it to cancel an interview you have already scheduled? In the specialty I'm applying to, there is a generalization that the stronger programs offer interviews later in the season than "less strong" programs, but I don't want to bank on getting those late season interview offers from top programs...

 

[gutonc]

How big a deal is it to cancel an interview you have already scheduled? In the specialty I'm applying to, there is a generalization that the stronger programs offer interviews later in the season than "less strong" programs, but I don't want to bank on getting those late season interview offers from top programs...

WITH AT LEAST 2 WEEKS NOTICE it's not a big deal. That all caps/bold thing is there for a reason. People understand that your plans may change. What they will not understand (and may pass on to other programs and your school's PD) is why you would bail at the last minute and not give the program a chance to fill that slot with another worthy applicant.

 

[DoctaJay]

If you don't match, then you are set back one year in your goal of getting into residency ($50,000/yr salary), and you will be set back one year in your goal of making an attending salary ($100,000/yr or more depending on academics vs. private, depending on specialty, etc). That should put it in perspective. Trying to skimp on $50 here and $50 there is probably not a good idea, especially if you are a marginal candidate.

-AT.

Amen. That is the biggest thing I am considering. It is much more costly to not match then to just spend the money now.

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[nitsasckya]

Are we talking $10 to add a program or something like $70 per program?

Haven't seen anyone else address this issue for you...

1-10 programs: $75 flat rate
11-20 programs: $75 (for the first 10) + $8 per every additional program
21-30 programs: $75 (first 10) + $80 (11-20) + $15 per every additional program
30+ programs: $75 + $80 + $150 + $25 per every additional program

So... $75 for 1-10 programs, $155 for 20, $305 for 30, $555 for 40, $805 for 50, $1055 for 60, $1305 for 70, $1555 for 80, $1805 for 90, $2055 for 100... etc.

Hope that helps.

 

[sebsvenmdc]

Haven't seen anyone else address this issue for you...

1-10 programs: $75 flat rate
11-20 programs: $75 (for the first 10) + $8 per every additional program
21-30 programs: $75 (first 10) + $80 (11-20) + $15 per every additional program
30+ programs: $75 + $80 + $150 + $25 per every additional program

So... $75 for 1-10 programs, $155 for 20, $305 for 30, $555 for 40, $805 for 50, $1055 for 60, $1305 for 70, $1555 for 80, $1805 for 90, $2055 for 100... etc.

Hope that helps.

Thank you! That helps! I see then that it's not a big disadvantage in terms of cost until you decide to accept interviews!

 

[gutonc]

Thank you! That helps! I see then that it's not a big disadvantage in terms of cost until you decide to accept interviews!

Correct. Relatively speaking, applying to programs borders on free (~$10/program for 30, ~$20/program for 100). This is basically 1/2 the cost of your cab ride from the airport at one interview. It's interviewing that will put a real dent in your checkbook.