| Author | 30 Posts |
whiterabbit
| | 09/23/07 - 01:37 PM
1 of 1 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
1) Please dont call programs up now, ....for the purpose of obtaining an Interview or for reminding them of your application. If its for the purpose of obtaining some info..like whether you meet their eligibility criteria... please be brief as possible. The following is an Unsolicited letter I got thro ERAS ! from a program I applied to but never called up. IT shows that they are getting a lot of calls and are being stressed out by it. We being doctors should show some sensitivity to such beleaguered people.
Most importantly.............I DONT THINK IT HELPS. The letter I recieved is given below.......
" Reviewing applications is an ongoing process of which our committee does on a daily basis along with their daily rounds and patient care activities. This is quite time consuming for them. Please do NOT call the office to check the status of your application as this just slows down the review process. Should you be selected to interview, you will receive an invitation from me. Thank you for your patience and continued interest in our program. "
2) Please be courteous to all applicants during the interview.
As I was interviewing at a program, the guy ( actually from my country) sitting next to me commented (based on the recounting of my interview with an attending at the same hospital) that I had no chance there, and that my upcoming interview with the PD was just a formality they are going thru. This really was the last straw for my nerves. I totally lost the next Interview because his comments had unnerved me. Please dont do this to your brothers . Eventually we all give each other a bad name. And to all please beware of such weird people. Be strong and calm during the interview.
3) Be courteous and plan your interviews properly
at a place where i interviewed in last year a dude told the PC that he had a flight to catch at 2:00 pm. It was clearly written in our manifest when the IV would be over at 3:00 pm. When the PC went to talk to the PD to arrange a special interview to accomodate him, this dude went into the bath room and stayed there for 45 minutes !!! All the guys and girls who wanted to take a leak was forced to go out of the building. Dude would not come out even when someone knocked at the door. When this gracious PC came back and searched for him he was stilllllll in the loo !! 
I saw the PC give this guy a irritated look when he eventually came out.
b) Please DONT ask your fellow interviewees their scores ..it only heightens their anxiety.
c) Please be nice to your fellow interviewees.....damn I had to say that .... cause I met so many dudes who were so rude to me and others !!
d) Please dont bring your luggage with you to the interview, it only becomes a headache for the stressed out PC's. Maybe if its a small suitcase !! .....preferably when you check out of the hotel request the reception to hold your luggage for you.... I saw a lady with ......3 Suitcases asking the PC where she could put them !!...I still remember the flustered and horrified loook on the PC's face....  ...Usually they have just a small closet for emergencies like these.... lets try not to swamp them.
4) Most importantly remember .........Applying to Residency is like the Ad for the yamaha bike (Filll it, SHut it, Forget it )......Fill your eras application up, Send it, Go for the ride....
Be your selves...... nothing you do apart from that will make any difference
Good luck guys and take heart........We are fighters and win we shall.
WR 
Edited by whiterabbit on 09/23/07 - 01:57 PM
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| bullrunner
Forum Senior
Topics: 23
Posts: 73
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Nice post. Great advice. GL with the match.
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If you come to a fork in the road, take it. -Yogi Berra
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| goodluck usmle
Forum Senior
Topics: 20
Posts: 66
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thanks for the carrots...they were sweet
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| priyagrove
Forum Elite
Topics: 34
Posts: 428
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great post, at least I wont try calling any program. This was final nail in the coffin!
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"Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes." Oscar Wilde
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| medocuk
IM-RES
Topics: 26
Posts: 1,499
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Hey thanks for the input.
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| zrf80
Forum Elite
Topics: 40
Posts: 236
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Great advice.
As a side note, how are interviews conducted at most programs ? Im assuming you are invited along with some odd number of applicants.
1) Do you interview with each program director individually, or is it a group effort ?
2) How many "people" are you expected to interview with on average ? (Yes, I know it varies from hospital to hospital, but on average)
3) How many applicants are there with you on average ?
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| whiterabbit
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It all happens.........
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,736
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I'll agree and endorse everything but the one about luggage. As I PC I know that you are going from one hotel to an interview, then an airport (or another interview in the area). Most PCs have somewhere to hide your luggage.......
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| whiterabbit
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You seem to have a lot of time for a PC in a busy interview season !
Just wondering
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Thanks for the post white rabbit.
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In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
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| Dinie
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One of the best posts in the match season. Thank you WR and I'm sure you will make it this time. Best of luck!
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| mazinger
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 917
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great post WR...
I never gave a thought of the things you wrote until I read your post.
Thank you very much..
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original mazinger z
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| egomez2001
Forum Guru
Topics: 51
Posts: 930
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Thanks a lot WR, very helpful
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| yuna
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 229
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I start my preparation by reading this post. It's quite helpful! I can imagine what was happening through your words
Thanks for the "carrot"!
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I have found my love...
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| GLO MD
Forum Guru
Topics: 9
Posts: 818
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Thanks whiterabbit!! this is one carrot I do like!!!
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Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground....Theodore Roosevelt
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| drk1980
Forum Guru
Topics: 147
Posts: 1,038
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great advice WR! thanks a lot for sharing.
I really hope that others who have also had prior interview experience come forward and similarly share their suggestions and advice. It is so very helpful. If for nothing, like "yuna" mentioned we are able to imagine and visualise what it is like to go through the tension-filled interview season. I for one am quite nervous about going for interviews so these posts can sort of prepare me.
thanks again.
oh and i cant imagine what kind of horrid people can be rude to such an adorable looking bunny
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| whiterabbit
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Hey CHill it..........I am a "guy'.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,736
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whiterabbit wrote:You seem to have a lot of time for a PC in a busy interview season ! Just wondering
I answered on a Sunday.....or maybe I don't really do what I say I do.
___________________
bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| Doc Holliday
Forum Elite
Topics: 14
Posts: 331
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whiterabbit wrote:
2) Please be courteous to all applicants during the interview.
As I was interviewing at a program, the guy ( actually from my country) sitting next to me commented (based on the recounting of my interview with an attending at the same hospital) that I had no chance there, and that my upcoming interview with the PD was just a formality they are going thru. This really was the last straw for my nerves. I totally lost the next Interview because his comments had unnerved me. Please dont do this to your brothers . Eventually we all give each other a bad name. And to all please beware of such weird people. Be strong and calm during the interview.
and to the PC and everyone else ... i'm working at a lab and some of the PhDs here think that us non-PhD folk are inferior to them ... i would 'love' to have someone like that in my program if i were a PD !
___________________
John Henry "Doc" Holliday, an American dentist, gambler and gunfighter of the Old West frontier,remembered for his associations with Wyatt Earp and the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
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| whiterabbit
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Another rejection I recieved had this message
"Note: All decisions made by the program director are final. Due to the
tremendous amount of applications we have received via ERAS for the 2008-2009
academic year, individual follow-ups or clarifications via email or phone for
applicants are not possible. Thank you for your understanding!
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| mann81
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 151
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thanks a lot white rabbit for such a good and advisable post ...
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 177
Posts: 2,366
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thanks a lot, rhite wabbit!
excellent advice here. very thoughtful of you.
now i'm wondering how i will fish this thread out next year when i hope to apply. i think i'll want to read it then.
g'luck to all!
___________________
Prepare as if you're the worst, Perform as if you're the best! As you dream, so you manifest. So, DREAM BIG!! When you face hardship, remember, God never gives you more than you can handle. Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.
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| whiterabbit
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Dear Applicant,
Please do not respond to this e-mail.
We would like to thank you for your interest in our XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center.
We receive lots of phone calls from you and to help us to reduce number of
phone calls, we will try to answer your questions in this message.
1 The Brookdale criteria and directions to Brookdale Hiospital are available
on our web site WWW.BROOKDALEHOSPITAL.ORG.
2 We do not send rejections. Those candidates who we decide to invite for an
interview will receive an e-mail from us shortly.
XXXXXX
Again thank you for your interest in Brookdale Medicine Residency Program and
good luck to all of you.
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| muna
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 126
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i got same email 2x.
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| PGI2alpha
Forum Elite
Topics: 7
Posts: 447
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same here!!!TWICE!!!
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