azirikani
Forum Elite
Topics: 61
Posts: 189
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Hi
Dear friends
should we call every single program that we are going to apply or trust information that they provide on their website?
thanks
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| ganesha123
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 507
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information on the websites are mostly accurate, they do update occasionally..if u have doublts u could send an email to the program coordinators..most of them reply immediately.. calling might not be too feasible, especially to all programs.. u could try that only as a last resort..that is if u have agenuine doubt and if no one replies to ur mails..!!
i dont think u will have to do that tho..
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| oldkidontheblock
Forum Guru
Topics: 61
Posts: 955
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check the date at the bottom of the website if its too old call them up or email
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| Ivonne
Find a way or make one
Topics: 58
Posts: 1,654
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They are probably busy right now but it is worth trying to contact them. I got no answers so far.
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| cherryho
Forum Guru
Topics: 30
Posts: 583
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I tried contacting 3 university program directors but never heard from them. Even the one from my department where I am a graduate student did NOT respond (pissed me off!!). My feeling is that the better programs they are, the less responsive they will be. You can definitely call them and DO NOT leave a msg if they don't pick it up. If you need to go through a secretary, just tell him/her that you are Dr. XXX (do not mention you are an applicant) you want to talk to the director and will call back. This is a trick my dear husband taught me. According to him, it usu works.
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| ganesha123
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 507
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i dont thinking mailing or calling program directors is a good idea... if the website does not provide adequate info mail the program coordinators.i have got replies from almost everyone i sent a mail to. they are loaded with mails every day...so give them some time.. u could even call the coordinators..but not the program directors...i think its a bad idea.........
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| prusiner
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 140
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I second Ganesha... Mailing the pd if his email is available is ok... but calling to find general info about the program maynot be appreciated... approaching the Programcoordinator would be much better... my 2 paise.....
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| cherryho
Forum Guru
Topics: 30
Posts: 583
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You might not think it's a good idea, but AMGs do this all the time. If it's a technical question that can be answered by the program coordinator, there's obviously no need to contact the director. One reason to call is to let them remember you, esp if you are an IMG and never rotated in their program. My thesis adviser, a neurologist in the top US program, and a pathologist I know both encouraged me to contact the program directors before applying. My husband, an AMG, always thinks that I am too passive in terms of contacting people and selling myself. As an IMG myself,I do not think that impressive boards scores are enough to get me into good programs. One IMG I know who got into a top surgery residency told me that the Chair of the program in his school (he was a graduate student of a very good school) called the programs for him and gave him a huge boost. It's just the culture of this country; the ambitious and aggressive ones have a better shot.
Another experience from my husband: when he interviewed in one program, he was asked to compare the features of that program with other programs. I guess if he hadn't talked to any person in that program, he wouldn't have been able to answer this question. My husband even asked me to contact the residents to know more about the programs (which I did).
I am not against what you guys believe and simply want to share what I know with other applicants. Hope no one gets offended.
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| ganesha123
Forum Guru
Topics: 27
Posts: 507
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thanx cherryho.. i wasnt aware of this..thanx for sharing it with us ..i was speaking from what previously has been done by seniors..
just wondering.if all applicants call the P.Ds wont they get annoyed..?? (atleast before the interviews starts)
will it be better to call after u apply and dont get an interview call.??
may be bbb should answer this query and make it more clear...
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| cartman
Forum Elite
Topics: 12
Posts: 238
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My experience is different from ganesha123. I emailed quite a few programs asking them about their eligibility criteria for their residency program. Only 3 or 4 programs actually replied back.
I only emailed programs that did not already have the application / eligibility crieteria on their websites or if the web address was not working.
Maybe its the specialty. So far I'm finding majority of the Psych programs to be unresponsive.
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| Korotkoff
Forum Senior
Topics: 15
Posts: 179
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cartman wrote:
So far I'm finding majority of the Psych programs to be unresponsive.
LOL... Are they taking those antipsychotic medications?
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| xthine
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 240
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*LOL*
I think there is no harm in calling up program coordinators, especially for the websites that do not post or have vague application criteria for IMGs.
I've emailed over 100 programs, approximately half of them replied. Emailed the non-responders again after 2 weeks, still some of them did not bother replying.
I have started calling up those programs and if they do not pick up I will leave a voice message.
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| D_N
Forum Senior
Topics: 45
Posts: 125
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Hi everyone..
i have a stupid question but this forum is th eonly guide out here for me..
i m an IMG and i have been reading people talking about calling program directors and talking to them ...
being an IMG obviously i dont have an exposure to any Program director her ein US ...
just wanted to find out ....
If i call them what do i ask/ tell them ????????
i mean they have all the information about the program mentioned on the website..
how do i tell them that they should consider me for selection too ???
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| cartman
Forum Elite
Topics: 12
Posts: 238
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good strategy xthine........i'll try it.
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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Two reasons to email PDs before getting IV
1. eligibility criteria are vague, u have a genuine concern
2. u write a general letter saying why their program is special in ur consideration--dont do this lightly, say something that sounds believable like maybe u know someone from the prog who speaks highly of it (take permission before quoting this person) or ur family lives there...or u did obs there...or u have a LOR whose experience there inspires u...or that ur just smitten by teh prestige..more genuinely u feel more genuine u will sound
For calling the PD:
firstly its not easy cause almost all the numbers given in frieda or ERAS will take u to the PC not PD...also these are very very busy ppl...call only when u truly mean what u say...u can just say after a brief intro of urself that " their program is important to u because of this and this reason and u wanted to make an effort to personally convey that to him/her and that u would be extremely grateful for an oppurtunity to meet with them"
after getting ur IV: u write thank you notes and then follow it up according to the response u get and how much u liked the prog
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| cherryho
Forum Guru
Topics: 30
Posts: 583
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Thank you mukho for the advice. I'll email another program director to inquire a specific curriculum. Last time the question kind of sucked (certification.....) so no one replied. Hope I'll get a response this time. 
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| Justice
Just signed contract
Topics: 118
Posts: 2,366
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D_N wrote:
how do i tell them that they should consider me for selection too ???
How long did you think before writing about this your idea?
Well, name yourself as a son of G.W. Bush... Or son-in-law...
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| D_N
Forum Senior
Topics: 45
Posts: 125
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Hi justice...
trust me i have been thinking about it alot...
and only IF i could say son or son in law
anyway....
if u can plz guide me a little bit?
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| mukho
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 558
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cherryho wrote:Thank you mukho for the advice. I'll email another program director to inquire a specific curriculum. Last time the question kind of sucked (certification.....) so no one replied. Hope I'll get a response this time.
ur welcome! so when asking a question just be sure that u arent asking something that is there in their website (makes u look stupid) and secondly ask something that has relevance in choosing programs ...like curriculums are pretty uniform cause they follow set guidelines ACGME...so maybe something else, like a special area where u have worked, ask if they have oppurtunity in that field...something like that (which both asks a question and conveys to them a positive point bout u)
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 33
Posts: 5,225
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[quote=cherryho]You might not think it's a good idea, but AMGs do this all the time. If it's a technical question that can be answered by the program coordinator, there's obviously no need to contact the director. One reason to call is to let them remember you, esp if you are an IMG and never rotated in their program.... [quote]
Sorry, but AMGs don't even call programs. I get so many calls and I don't remember people. If calling a program to have the PC remember them - it's not going to work. Sorry - it's the truth.
Edited by bbb on 07/15/08 - 06:57 AM
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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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