What's the best way to cancel a residency interview?

[butaloh666]

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Question for those of you who have already gone through the match process. I had been scheduling interviews as the season went along, and seem to have reached a point where almost every week on my calendar from now until early Feb has one interview booked. Now I'm feeling like a bit of a jack***** because a few of the hospitals I was hoping for are finally getting back to me and I don't suppose my attendings will allow me to miss any more than one day per week during electives. So I'd like to cancel one or two of these interviews while the programs still have time to offer them to other deserving applicants.

In case anyone here ran into a similar problem during their interview process, what's the best, most polite way to go about canceling an interview? Other than just lying and saying I've accepted a pre-match offer somewhere else? 😳

Thanx in advance.

 

[FutureInternist]

Definitely do NOT say you accepted a pre-match offer since that is only legal for FMGs & DOs.

I would just let them know straight up "While I would like to interview at _____, scheduling/financial issues prevent me from being able to make it to the interview."
Let them know ASAP since then they can give your spot to someone else. What you don't want is to wait so late to cancel that they cannot find someone else to interview.

Also.......wrong forum 🙂