Withdrawing from your home program . . . bad idea?

[WallowaWanderer]

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Looking for some advice. I have recieved more interviews than I can attend (a good problem to have, I know - I have been fortunate). I was never excited about my home program, and would rank it last if I interviewed there. So in order to free up a day for a different interview and the interview spot for someone else, I am thinking about withdrawing my application there.

-Is this a bad thing to do?
-Will this make people at my home program upset/burn bridges?
-Are people on the interview trail going to ask me if I interviewed at my home program?

 

[met19]

Looking for some advice. I have recieved more interviews than I can attend (a good problem to have, I know - I have been fortunate). I was never excited about my home program, and would rank it last if I interviewed there. So in order to free up a day for a different interview and the interview spot for someone else, I am thinking about withdrawing my application there.

-Is this a bad thing to do?
-Will this make people at my home program upset/burn bridges?
-Are people on the interview trail going to ask me if I interviewed at my home program?

there's no travel involved so I would interview your home program. some people will ask. everyone in EM (esp directors) know each other.

 

[gutonc]

The only way I would not interview in this case is if your home program is the only one in that city/region and you have a good reason not to stay in that city/region. I would talk to the PD (if s/he is a nice person) or another attending first though. Otherwise, just suck it up and spend an extra day.

 

[Pinner Doc]

I didn't even *apply* to my home program!

 

[USCDiver]

At the very least it is a chance to practice your interviewing. Schedule it early and get some experience.

 

[SweetMD]

Looking for some advice. I have recieved more interviews than I can attend (a good problem to have, I know - I have been fortunate). I was never excited about my home program, and would rank it last if I interviewed there. So in order to free up a day for a different interview and the interview spot for someone else, I am thinking about withdrawing my application there.

-Is this a bad thing to do?
-Will this make people at my home program upset/burn bridges?
-Are people on the interview trail going to ask me if I interviewed at my home program?

The answer to all your questions is yes and yes, maybe.
You applied there, they offer you an interview, it's like common courtesy at least. Since there are no travel arrangements to be made you only need a couple of hours for the interview. You could skip the tour and things like that if you're pressed for time. At least it will give you practice like someone mentioned.
It would be a different situation if it had been clear in the beginning that you want to relocate to the west coast, midwest or whatever and hence did not apply at your home program.

 

[WilcoWorld]

There's far more to loose from withdrawing than there is to gain.

 

[BKN]

Looking for some advice. I have recieved more interviews than I can attend (a good problem to have, I know - I have been fortunate). I was never excited about my home program, and would rank it last if I interviewed there. So in order to free up a day for a different interview and the interview spot for someone else, I am thinking about withdrawing my application there.

-Is this a bad thing to do?
-Will this make people at my home program upset/burn bridges?
-Are people on the interview trail going to ask me if I interviewed at my home program?

I'll play the devil's advocate.
1. I would never be offended by someone who had decided that they want to be elsewhere.
2. I would prefer not to use up 2 hours of faculty time in interviews if you have already made up your mind.

BN