What is the role of the PD in the interview?

[applicant2016]

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Hello,

During most of my interview days, I interviewed with the program director, and 1-2 of faculty members. And almost always the program director was taking notes during the interview, while the faculty members were not, they did not even have any papers of my application in front of them and they were just chatting. Unfortunately, my anxiety level would be at the highest when I am in front of the program director because I think he/she is the one who will make the decision. My performance and confidence level is much better during interviews with other faculty members. I know it varies from a program to program, but who actually make decisions to rank applicants? Does it happen that other faculty members vouch for the applicant in front of the program director or the residency committee?

 

[Dral]

It depends on the program. It's different from program to program...specialty to specialty.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hello,

During most of my interview days, I interviewed with the program director, and 1-2 of faculty members. And almost always the program director was taking notes during the interview, while the faculty members were not, they did not even have any papers of my application in front of them and they were just chatting. Unfortunately, my anxiety level would be at the highest when I am in front of the program director because I think he/she is the one who will make the decision. My performance and confidence level is much better during interviews with other faculty members. I know it varies from a program to program, but who actually make decisions to rank applicants? Does it happen that other faculty members vouch for the applicant in front of the program director or the residency committee?

While it varies, it's frequently a decision by committee, it's very rarely just the PD making the decision. In the examples I am familiar with, the PD, other faculty interviewers, and the chief resident all sit in a room together with all the interview day feedback and ERAS material and hash things out and make the list. While the PD directs the meeting, all the interviewers and resident views get aired and have impact.

 

[gutonc]

It depends on the program. It's different from program to program...specialty to specialty.

While this is true, imagine if you changed the wording to the following:
What is the role of the boss at this office in hiring people to work at this office?

 

[Frederica]

A good program will have a meeting to rank candidates and not leave it up to one person. At least that is my experience.

 

[Jecave]

A good program will have a meeting to rank candidates and not leave it up to one person. At least that is my experience.

Out of curiosity, do these rank meetings usually occur after each interview? If so can one assume that after their interview there place on the rank list has already been determined?

 

[Law2Doc]

Out of curiosity, do these rank meetings usually occur after each interview? If so can one assume that after their interview there place on the rank list has already been determined?

Again this will vary amongst programs. Many places have a short rehash at the end of each interview day, and try to assign applicants some sort of numerical score. Most of these programs will still have a more definitive meeting at the end of all the interviews where they actually rank people. It's not realistic to try and rank people until you see who else is interviewing at a later date -- the person who seems great on day one might seem average later, after you see better people. So no, your place on the rank list is typically absolutely not determined until all the interviews days are completed. I've definitely seen instances when people who seemed good early on didn't end up ranked well compared to the later competition.

 

[one11]

While it varies, it's frequently a decision by committee, it's very rarely just the PD making the decision. In the examples I am familiar with, the PD, other faculty interviewers, and the chief resident all sit in a room together with all the interview day feedback and ERAS material and hash things out and make the list. While the PD directs the meeting, all the interviewers and resident views get aired and have impact.

what kind of feedbacks that chief residents or residents give in general? most of the time there will be only few mins talk between the chief or the residents with applicants that is absolutely no way can give a hint about the applicant.

 

[Law2Doc]

what kind of feedbacks that chief residents or residents give in general? most of the time there will be only few mins talk between the chief or the residents with applicants that is absolutely no way can give a hint about the applicant.

At the places I've been at the residents opinions mattered a ton. Residents gave feedback to the Chiefs on everyone they met and those views were brought up in the meetings. If the residents disliked you, you might not even end up on the list. If they thought you were great, you probably moved up a bunch of spots. Makes sense because these are the people who will be serving in the trenches with you.

This is why the pre-interview dinners are huge - it might be the best opportunity to meet multiple residents and make a good impression. I've seen people who know how to work a room do fine without attending the dinner, but it's harder.

 

[Frederica]

Out of curiosity, do these rank meetings usually occur after each interview? If so can one assume that after their interview there place on the rank list has already been determined?

My programs hold the rank meetings after we have completed all our interviews, not after each interview session. But, as @Law2Doc noted, it is different for each program, there is not a standard.