Will Most Programs Send Either Interview Invite or Rejection?

[Choreoathetoid]

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I know it's quite early. I was just wondering if programs will contact you one way or the other - invite, hold, or rejection. I'm waiting to hear back from some Gen Surg programs and am wondering if programs will commonly not send any response at all (meaning you are declined).

Thanks!

 

[Winged Scapula]

I know it's quite early. I was just wondering if programs will contact you one way or the other - invite, hold, or rejection. I'm waiting to hear back from some Gen Surg programs and am wondering if programs will commonly not send any response at all (meaning you are declined).

Thanks!

It is absolutely common not to hear anything.

As I've said multiple times before, I'm still waiting to hear from programs I applied to nearly 10 years ago.

But also bear in mind that many surgical programs do not send invites out until after the MSPE is in November 1.

 

[EternalMD]

most programs don't bother sending out rejection letters. If they invite 500 people and for whatever reason, 250 decline, they can just dip right back into their pool and find replacements. would be harder to do if they rejected them. (thats just my theory)

its not uncommon to not hear anything though.

 

[dmitrinyr]

As others have said, it's common to get a "silent rejection" from programs. Just to use myself as an example, I applied last year for EM to 100+ programs all over the country and only heard back from maybe 40-50 (counting rejections and interview invites). Just hold on for a little longer and come 1st week of November, there should be a nice way of interviews for many people. Good luck.

 

[dmitrinyr]

As I've said multiple times before, I'm still waiting to hear from programs I applied to nearly 10 years ago.

Winged Scapula, I really think that given you haven't heard from them by now, you should send them an email updating your situation and demanding to know your application status... A person can only wait so much.😀😀

 

[Seville]

As others have said, it's common to get a "silent rejection" from programs. Just to use myself as an example, I applied last year for EM to 100+ programs all over the country and only heard back from maybe 40-50 (counting rejections and interview invites). Just hold on for a little longer and come 1st week of November, there should be a nice way of interviews for many people. Good luck.

Man, I hope so. I haven't heard jack in almost 2 weeks now.

 

[Taurus]

In my experience, I got the majority of my rejection emails after the date to rank programs passed. Gee, by that point I already know I'm not getting an interview. So many programs wait to the very last possible moment to officially reject you.

 

[atsai3]

most programs don't bother sending out rejection letters. If they invite 500 people and for whatever reason, 250 decline, they can just dip right back into their pool and find replacements. would be harder to do if they rejected them. (thats just my theory)

its not uncommon to not hear anything though.

Reasonable hypothesis. A program gains nothing by rejecting early.

-AT.

 

[magad]

As others have said, it's common to get a "silent rejection" from programs. Just to use myself as an example, I applied last year for EM to 100+ programs all over the country and only heard back from maybe 40-50 (counting rejections and interview invites). Just hold on for a little longer and come 1st week of November, there should be a nice way of interviews for many people. Good luck.

It is now 2 weeks into November - i've applied to almost 200 programs, and had only 3 interview, and no shortage of rejections? Will programs still give out interviews at this point? I am scared sh-tless!

 

[Winged Scapula]

It is now 2 weeks into November - i've applied to almost 200 programs, and had only 3 interview, and no shortage of rejections? Will programs still give out interviews at this point? I am scared sh-tless!

What are you applying for? Some programs interview right up to first week of Feb.

 

[magad]

What are you applying for? Some programs interview right up to first week of Feb.

I've applied to the primary care fields - Peds, Internal, Family - I guess I am feeling a little discouraged since I haven't heard from many programs (and of course after reading this thread). At this point, is there anything I can really do but wait? The applications are sent in, as well as the Dean's Letter is already sent. Any advice?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

It is absolutely common not to hear anything.

As I've said multiple times before, I'm still waiting to hear from programs I applied to nearly 10 years ago.

But also bear in mind that many surgical programs do not send invites out until after the MSPE is in November 1.

I've actually been pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of most programs. I applied to 30 total and have received either an interview or rejection from 26 of them; only 4 left where I'm hanging in the wind...(and of course at this point I think I could only actually interview at 1 or 2 of those if they did offer since my schedule is pretty much booked).

 

[dmitrinyr]

I've applied to the primary care fields - Peds, Internal, Family - I guess I am feeling a little discouraged since I haven't heard from many programs (and of course after reading this thread). At this point, is there anything I can really do but wait? The applications are sent in, as well as the Dean's Letter is already sent. Any advice?

I say, call or email programs that you are interested in and express this interest. Also, in the same phone call or email, politely ask about the status of your application. Many times, if they haven't invited you for an interview, they will say that you are "on hold" or waitlist or that the committee/PD is/are still looking into your application and will probably give you some timeline. I always think that an answer (even a rejection or placed on hold) is better than no answer at all. Good luck.

 

[magad]

I say, call or email programs that you are interested in and express this interest. Also, in the same phone call or email, politely ask about the status of your application. Many times, if they haven't invited you for an interview, they will say that you are "on hold" or waitlist or that the committee/PD is/are still looking into your application and will probably give you some timeline. I always think that an answer (even a rejection or placed on hold) is better than no answer at all. Good luck.

Great idea - thanks for the advice!