Biggy
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 90
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My question is just how important are IVs when it comes to a programs ROL? Alot of people say that it can just take one IV to match if you do very well during the IV. Is that just wishful thinking or does it commonly happen?
Here's my situation. During at least 3 or 4 of my IVs, the people I was interviewed with told me at the end that I conversated great with them and that they will be giving me the highest rating for my IV mark. Am I really that good of an interviewee or do they this with many candidates to possibly ensure that they'll maybe rank their progam high thus possibly having no unfilled positions? Then I hear that when it comes to ROLs they still evaluate the rest of your app as well - grades, PS, LORs, etc and then add it all up.
So once again my question is: how much are interviews really worth? I do understand that it may vary amongst some programs, but you get the idea of what Im asking.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,662
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The interview is the MOST IMPORTANT PART. Lots of applicants look good on paper, but not so good in person.
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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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| ram3
Forum Guru
Topics: 47
Posts: 510
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I completely agree
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| Biggy
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 90
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Thanks guys. I admit Im nervous. But I have to thank everyone on this forum, especially bbb, for their altruism. Most of the real life info I needed for match came from this very forum.
I wish you all the best in this years match!
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| hypomanic
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 153
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Hi biggy,
I know exactly what you mean - I have had interviews where I was left wondering why the hell i had to travel halfway across the globe to just have a casual chat- In some cases I do feel that it was a formality- though not totally- I am usually a 2nd tier candidate because 4/10 ended up having interviews with 3-4 faculty members and I had 1-2 and I find it difficult to believe when somebody says the interview is the most important part
Before another 1000000 people start shouting at me - I know that the interview can be crucial to assess personality, spoken english but I think interview has low specificity, high sensitivity- It can help you rule out absolutely moronic candidates who behave rudely during interviews, show up drunk or whatever BUT it cannot help you decide that this ONE candidate is definitely better than all the rest based only on his interviewing skills unless he is politician ;-)
To give a numerical eg- if I interviewed with 10 candidates- assuming on paper everyone is similar on paper, I can bet that 3 interviewers will usually have different opinions about who was the best- but all might agree on the 1 or at most 2 weird candidates who shouldnt be selected - So that leaves 8 to 9 candidates and usually the average ratio is 1 out of 10 gets the position, so all the other factors still play a major role in deciding the one who gets the position- I believe those who say your cerdentials only get you an interview and once you have an interview, the scores, LoRs, etc dont matter are misleading people or are talking about 10 years ago when the competition wasnt that high
Yes the interview does matter - if you mess up simple Qs about your career/why this program, you can lose the spot but I doubt anybody who says the rest of the application doesnt matter after the interview- Yes it doesnt for those who are rejected that usually I would guess is less than 20%
In fact at an interview I asked the PD about the interview that it seemed so laid back and he said - we want you to get a feel for the program and as for our decision, we already have all the info from ERAS to help us decide
Please forgive the rant but I was just a bit pissed about the whole process at the end of speninding $$$$
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Life is short, the Art long,opportunity fleeting experience treacherous, Judgement difficult - Hippocrates
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,662
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hypomanic wrote:
Please forgive the rant but I was just a bit pissed about the whole process at the end of speninding $$$$
Forgiven. But look at it from the programs side. We have to find the physicians that we feel will interact with our patient base, our support staff, and the other residents in the program. As a PC, I pick up on the little things that the PD and other interviewers don't see. For example the bored candidate, who can't keep their hands of the phone for text messaging, the candidate who doesn't fit in and only speaks in their language if some one else in the room speaks it too. The candidate who is so painfully shy and out of their element that the first time they get yelled at for screwing something up (and you know it's going to happen - prepare now) that they cry (yes, guys, it's going to be you as well as the girls).. There is a lot of stuff that we have to look for.
And if you didn't spend the $$$$ - your chances of getting a residency position are guaranteed. ZERO.
Good luck.
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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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| elektra_cr
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 88
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bbb wrote:
The interview is the MOST IMPORTANT PART. Lots of applicants look good on paper, but not so good in person.
I totally agree.
I had the fortune that all my IV went really good. You know when your IVs are going good when you are having a comfortable conversation with the PD and your hands are not sweeting and the PD is smiling at you and he or she looks interested in what you are saying and reply to your comments.
I have to be honest and tell you that I didn´t prepare that much, what I mean is that I did my research in the program and the hospital but I didn´t go to far. I didn´t memorize answer to the most common questions, I just wanted to look natural and not uptight.
I truly believe that the IV is the most important part of this process even more if you are looking for a prematch.
You have to go with a very good energy, feel comfortable in your ownskin and have respet for the people that are considering you as a candidate...
lol
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I will never give up.........
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| ea
Forum Senior
Topics: 15
Posts: 142
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Interviews are offcourse essential but I wish programs initially conduct a telephonic interview and than arrange a personal interview. The reason being, some programs ask medical questions and I think its ridiculous on their part to doubt the USMLE scores and other credentials. For those programs, I strongly propose a telephonic interview first.
65% of programs I been interviewed, made me feel they have inetrest in me. Rest of say, 30-40% programs had a bad way of conducting iterviews. Like calling 600 candidates for 20-30 positions! It is being very mean, they easily can cut down the number by conducting telephone interviews.
The reason why some of us get frustrated is... after all this money spent for exams, applying through eras, travelling, boarding and food......and more than anything else... THE TIME SPENT...... its A LOT ! The fear of going unmatched and yeah only 50% making it through match.... I think telephonic interviews should be started......
It is a bad world and justice to everyone is never going to happen.
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