What would you do?

[dcpremed]

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So I just received word last week that I had been rejected from one of my top choices. I wouldn't have a problem with this, except for the fact that:

a) I did an externship at this school
b) I honored said externship
c) The department chair wrote a (great) letter of recommendation

I feel like it's a big slap in the face, honestly, and I am tempted to contact the program, and say something. While I guess at this point it's pretty obvious that they are not interested, I still feel like saying I put forth a lot of effort and did well in your institution, and the least you could have done was offer me the interview.

What would you do in my position? I am curious to hear the opinions of other board members.

Thanks!

 

[chrisisinnocent]

There could have been a disconnect between the chair and the program director. You could always just send a really polite email and ask why they didn't interview you. Could have always been something else like some residents didn't like you or they thought you wouldn't fit in. Also it could be you were below some arbitrary threshold in USMLE scores.
Were there any possible negatives in your application? Repeat a year, low step score, negative comments on your eval? Could be a lot of things.
I got rejected by a school I have an away elective scheduled at later this year. I was tempted to write and ask they reconsider until after my elective but I figured that if they didn't give me a straight up interview I would be wasting money flying there for a courtesy interview then I would be busting my hump living in an expensive city far from home for a month only to not get ranked anyway. So I'll just wait and apply to fellowship there in four years
You may be better off just walking away from the whole thing.

 

[calot's 3angle]

i would definitely email them. the person sending out the emails of invites and rejections often has a ton of other responsibilities and mistakes can be made. tell them that you are really interested in the program (as evident from your sub-i there...you can even say that you know your interest is genuine because you did a rotation there) and was wondering if they could take another look at your application. it can not hurt (just word it politely) and if it gets you an interview there, i think it's completely worth it.

good luck!

 

[OBGood]

I agree with calot 3 angle.....write a polite email and see what happens....a friend of mine got a rejection and then, an email followed explaining they had made a mistake and was offered an interview......my story was the other way around....Northwestern offered an interview and when I replied, they sent me an apologetic email saying they weren't extending an interview and that they were sorry about THEIR mistake (I hadn't misunderstood the email)........finally, this week I received an official REJECTION!😡

 

[MDLove]

I agree with everyone and would definitely send an email. Make sure you send it to the program director, and cc the chair, the program coordinator, and any other attendings that you worked with that could put in a good word for you. There can definitely be disconnect within the department. Good luck. I hope it all works out.

 

[dcpremed]

Thanks for all of the advice! I sent an email out tonight...fingers crossed that it was a mistake and I'll hear back positive news tomorrow!

Take it easy everyone.