who else hates those pre-interview dinners?

[jennyboo]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I hate them! I find it so inconvenient to have to travel to a city the night before, arrange (and pay for) lodging and transportation to dinner, and be "obligated" to spend even more time and money to attend an extra event that makes an already long (8 hour) interview day even longer.

It's not that I don't appreciate the free dinner, and sometimes it is really helpful to talk to residents (if they show up). But ... gahhhh! 😡

 

[CANES2006]

Me too! 😉

 

[Hurricane]

I hate them! I find it so inconvenient to have to travel to a city the night before, arrange (and pay for) lodging and transportation to dinner, and be "obligated" to spend even more time and money to attend an extra event that makes an already long (8 hour) interview day even longer.

It's not that I don't appreciate the free dinner, and sometimes it is really helpful to talk to residents (if they show up). But ... gahhhh! 😡

Well, I'd rather not get up in the middle of the night to fly into a place in time for an 8AM interview, so I'm in town the night before anyway, with nothing to do, and so I appreciate the free meal and conversation. 🙂

However, some places have POST interview dinners, and that is annoying, because then you have to stay for 2 nights instead of one.

 

[TheThroat]

You don't HAVE to go to these interviews, but you can learn alot about the program from the residents.

 

[trouta]

For me, the pre-interview dinners are the best part. Almost everything you learn the day of the interview can be learned off the web page. Hearing what the residents think of the program, what they dont like, whether they would pick the place again is the most useful part of the entire visit.

But maybe thats just me.

 

[Poety]

👍

For me, the pre-interview dinners are the best part. Almost everything you learn the day of the interview can be learned off the web page. Hearing what the residents think of the program, what they dont like, whether they would pick the place again is the most useful part of the entire visit.

But maybe thats just me.

 

[wook]

For me, the pre-interview dinners are the best part. Almost everything you learn the day of the interview can be learned off the web page. Hearing what the residents think of the program, what they dont like, whether they would pick the place again is the most useful part of the entire visit.

But maybe thats just me.

Double 👍

 

[imtiaz]

Me too! 😉

ohmygod, canes. obgyn?! how could you do this to me? j/k.

its been a long time!

 

[CANES2006]

ohmygod, canes. obgyn?! how could you do this to me? j/k.

its been a long time!

What's up imtiaz!! Yeah, I'm doing obgyn. I can't believe that you would willingly do surgery?! 😱 😛 😉

 

[deleted87716]

I hate them! I find it so inconvenient to have to travel to a city the night before, arrange (and pay for) lodging and transportation to dinner, and be "obligated" to spend even more time and money to attend an extra event that makes an already long (8 hour) interview day even longer.

It's not that I don't appreciate the free dinner, and sometimes it is really helpful to talk to residents (if they show up). But ... gahhhh! 😡

Um...I hope this doesn't come as a shock, but did you realize that in most cases the "pre-interview" dinner is the REAL INTERVIEW!

When I was a resident, the opinions of the people who had dinner with an applicant carried a lot of weight when it came time to rank everyone. We had lots of situations where the faculty thought somebody looked pretty good, and the residents who were at the dinner gave the thumbs-down.

Blowing off the pre-interview dinner is also a bad idea, unless you have some truly important reason for not attending. It makes it appear that you're not all that interested in the program.

 

[Espion]

Um...I hope this doesn't come as a shock, but did you realize that in most cases the "pre-interview" dinner is the REAL INTERVIEW!

When I was a resident, the opinions of the people who had dinner with an applicant carried a lot of weight when it came time to rank everyone. We had lots of situations where the faculty thought somebody looked pretty good, and the residents who were at the dinner gave the thumbs-down.

Blowing off the pre-interview dinner is also a bad idea, unless you have some truly important reason for not attending. It makes it appear that you're not all that interested in the program.

So when I had to miss an pre-interview dinner due to my flight schedule (something that was completely unavoidable) was I supposed to let all the residents know that I wouldn't be there? You know, because I wouldn't want to be totally black-listed for not showing up to the "real" interview.

Sorry if that sounds terse (I don't mean it to, really!), but you get my point. I agree that it is part of it, but it is not the interview. Not everyone is going to hit it off with everybody. It is unfair for "personality points" to make such a difference. (Unless, of course, the interviewee gets completely plastered and picks up the town hooker... 😱 😀 )

That being said, it is a professional courtesy to call ahead and let the residency coordinator know that you won't be able to make the social. That way they'll know that you weren't blowing them off, and you won't be a conspicuous lone nametag left on the table...

 

[deleted87716]

So when I had to miss an pre-interview dinner due to my flight schedule (something that was completely unavoidable) was I supposed to let all the residents know that I wouldn't be there?

As I said, if you have an important reason for missing the pre-interview dinner, you won't likely have to worry about looking bad. However, you'll miss a great opportunity to look good. "Personality points" matter a lot, like it or not. That's just the way the world works. The pre-interview dinner is a great chance to score some. Blow it off at your own peril. 😉

 

[Espion]

I'm assuming you read my post in it's entirety, including the last paragraph. As I said, if you have an important reason for missing the pre-interview dinner, you won't likely have to worry about looking bad.

However, my original point stands. "Personality points" matter a lot, like it or not. That's just the way the world works. The pre-interview dinner is a great opportunity to score some. Blow it off at your own peril. 😉

I guess the whole point was just wondering (out loud...out typed?) how would the residents know whether I was blowing it off or if I missed a flight? All they'll know is that I wasn't there.

For myself at least, the pre-interview socials were virtually the only chance I had to corner a resident and ask the questions I needed answered. I applied for general surgery (hence the lack of personality 😉) and realized quickly that, however "available" they are during the interview day, it can't compare with time you get with them the night before.

I missed the pre-interview social at one program and I came away lacking a really good "feel" for the program. I think this is the reason you should go to these things. We're evaluating you as well! (Eeeevery breath you take...eeevery move you maaaaake...)


Heh, sorry to draw it out unnecessarily, because, of course, I totally agree with you. Its my red-headed genes working against me...

 

[Trisomy13]

my only peeve is with a recent program that sent out the dinner info that same afternoon, about 6 hours prior to the dinner. i wasn't even sure if there was a dinner, but thought i heard an applicant mention it at a different interview. i missed it 😛 i need more than six hours when i'm on the road all day and coming in from a different state.

besides that, i find the dinners to be informative. especially when the cranky resident with loose lips shows up and gives you the real deal.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

or the resident who gets boozed up and lets things fly... very informative and helpful 😀

 

[Mumpu]

At all of my interviews I was asked if I attended the dinner the night before. I suspect the programs use that to gauge your interest in them.

And yes, all residents talk, all chiefs talk, it all dribbles up to the selection committee.

 

[locitamd]

I'm afraid I'm in the loathe the pre-interview dinner camp. All the regurgitated questions: are patient notes computerized? is there pre-rounding? how far do residents live from the hospital? do attendings throw things in the OR? I wouldn't mind if it felt like there was substantive info being conveyed, but geez...

 

[Sugar72]

I love the preinterview dinners. With a 2 year old, I don't get out much so woohoo! it's a night on the town for me! I also indulge in desserts and coffee after the dinner, and of course an appetizer. I can't wait to take recruits on preinterview dinners wherever I match. I think that might even make it onto my criteria for ROL.....places where I can go out to eat for free for 3 months out of the year.

 

[Steel_City]

Great food, a fun night out, everything on the house...who can really complain about this. I mean c'mon guys. During my interviews, I've learned the most about programs from the residents on the interview dinner. On a few occasions, the residents just sit at one end of the table and talk amongst themselves. I do think this is rude and won't make the same mistake when I'm taking applicants out, however, the majority have gone well. I look at the dinner as an opprotunity, rather than an inconvenience, to make a subtle, yet lasting impression that hopefully shows I'd be someone pleasurable to work with. Every time I'm on a dinner, someone always messes up and reveals there glowing negativity.

 

[DrRobert]

Pros:
- Free meal
- Free drinks
- Great opportunity to ask questions about the program
- See how you fit in with the current residents

Cons:
- Sometimes inconvenient to get flights that arrive in time for dinner
- Occasionally they'll pick a restaurant where you don't like the food
- Poor resident turnout can defeat the whole purpose
- In the midst of the interview season the obligation to be "on" during dinner and make conversation can be sickening. Sometimes you just want to watch TV and take a nap.

Overall I'd rather go than not go. It's just those particular nights when you're tired and cranky and don't feel like talking to anyone that can make these dinners painful.

 

[robotsonic]

It just occurred to me that some of you are saying that you actually get *dinner* at a lot of these. Maybe it is just general surgery in New York, but I haven't received a single actual dinner. It is usually just drinks, possibly with appetizers going around if you're lucky. I think I actually prefer that, since you can stay for as little or as long as you want without anyone noticing your absence. I've decided that one hour at these things is usually about as much as I can take, and that is usually just enough time to walk around with a glass of wine and assess the residents. It would kind of suck to have to sit down for an entire dinner and not be able to leave.

 

[DrRobert]

It just occurred to me that some of you are saying that you actually get *dinner* at a lot of these. Maybe it is just general surgery in New York, but I haven't received a single actual dinner. It is usually just drinks, possibly with appetizers going around if you're lucky. I think I actually prefer that, since you can stay for as little or as long as you want without anyone noticing your absence. I've decided that one hour at these things is usually about as much as I can take, and that is usually just enough time to walk around with a glass of wine and assess the residents. It would kind of suck to have to sit down for an entire dinner and not be able to leave.

Good point. There should be a 2-hour time limit on the dinners. When they drag on for 3+ hours, you start begging people to kill you.

 

[Misterioso]

In the midst of the interview season the obligation to be "on" during dinner and make conversation can be sickening. Sometimes you just want to watch TV and take a nap.

Just keep playing the game.

"Fake it til you make it" as the saying goes in this game.

 

[penguins]

Had a dinner at a program recently and it was with the chief resident with a pretty small group.
Found out the next day from the PD's mouth that it was considered a real, full-fledged interview and his opinion is very valued and is part of the rank list making. The guy is also going to be on faculty next year so that probably makes his opinion even more important.
This doesn't surprise me at all. But FYI for those of you who don't think they are to be taken seriously. I find it easier to make a good impression at dinner than the actual interview.
To each his own though. I don't think it is very fair when they don't tell you this before hand and some people didn't come due to flight issues. 🙄