What is the process for non-match fellowships?

[marginCall]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I was wondering what the process was for hearing if I got an offer or not after applying to a fellowship that does not participate in the match.

How do programs generally offer spots? Is it common to get an offer right after the interview, or at the end of the year after everybody is interviewed? Is there some kind of process or norm that programs generally follow?

And there are programs that have one spot- let's say one applicant just wows the interview committee, offers a spot and they take it. But they have 2 more applicants to interview- does the program then call up the two applicants and cancel the interviews? Or do they just keep up appearances and go through with "mercy" interviews knowing it will be for nothing but will look better than just canceling...

I have some places that will require a plane ticket and a hotel. Would it be smart for me to buy a refundable plane ticket/hotel reservation in the event this happens?

I'm starting to interview (first one is in 2 days) for addiction spots- is there anything specific to this field?

 

[billypilgrim37]

Admissions are rolling and programs are generally competing with one another, so there is a bit of a "lock it down" mentality I believe. They may offer right after the interview or within a few days/weeks, as most places don't have a luxury of waiting. I don't think they ever offer unless they have a spot available, and wouldn't give two offers for one spot (and we'll take the first one that says yes) I believe, but there are probably exceptions to that.

Except for just a few programs, the number of applicants is really small. Most of the programs I've looked at interview like 3-5 people a year for 1-2 slots. So that minimizes the risk of weird things happening. Clearly in New York City the numbers are quite different.

I haven't heard of this in addictions, but my friends last year in psychosomatics several times accepted slots preliminarily with both the applicant and the program knowing that the applicant had another interview (and presumably might rather go to that program, either possibly or clearly). One friend gave up a spot she held for about two weeks. This was done very transparently though. I don't know the numbers game enough in c/l to know if this is substantially different that addictions, but I think it is.

So, getting refundable tickets/hotels probably makes sense, because a) there is some possibility that an interview could be cancelled by a program--but i imagine most places would rather interview you in case the person who currently holds the spot gives it up. That's clearly in their favor, and why generally matches are better for applicants and this goofy process is better for the interviewers. They have information (that they've already given the slot away) that you would want to know in determining whether you want to bother spending the money to interview. But b) you might accept a spot at one of your earlier interviews and feel that you are done and don't need to go on more interviews. It's a difficult process to decide after you're done which program, as you will be pressured (either by yourself, or maybe by programs) to accept a position.

That was somewhat incoherent, but no moreso than the process itself!