So your application didn’t impress residency programs? Here are some things that will.
So you did everything by the book and still no interviews from residency programs.
This can seem like a devastating setback, especially after already investing so much time and energy towards the USMLE. This might even be your second year of applying, and not getting an interview can make you feel desperate.
Before you throw out your scrubs and head for home, there are a few things you can do to be proactive while you wait and turn the situation around.
Contact residency programs
Some students contact programs to request interviews when they know they will be in the area interviewing for a different program. Occasionally, these programs may even help you coordinate your travel plans.
Though it’s not recommended generally, you can contact a program you are interested in if they haven’t offered you an interview.
You can also update the program with any changes to your application, although there is no guarantee you will receive an invitation. To contact them, call or email the program coordinator, or maybe send a brief email to the program director, depending on the situation.
Utilize your contacts
It may help if a student or a coworker from your past can speak on your behalf at a particular program. In special cases, you may even ask a faculty member at your institution to contact the program.
Seek out feedback
If your interest in a specific program is particularly high, you can ask gently to have your application reviewed again. It’s also acceptable to ask why you were not granted an interview for the purposes of improving your application.
Keep in mind, however, that there are many reasons that a particular program may not have offered you an interview. The program may not be offering interviews yet, or you may have applied too late. Perhaps you are not a competitive applicant. Many programs will use cutoffs that do not allow for reworking your application. Some will interview only people who are graduating in the last few years. Some will not interview if there is a required minimum GPA or a minimum test score.
In these cases, do not bother to contact the program if you know you do not meet their requirements. Instead, you might consider how you could improve your application for next year to increase your chances.
Track your application
Remember to check the ADTS (Applicant Document Tracking System), which can be useful in monitoring the status of your application with each program. Also, program directors will invite you to interviews and request additional information via the email address in your application profile, so be sure to check your email account regularly while your applications are active!
Keep calm, and carry on.
It is a very stressful and frustrating time when you are waiting for interviews. Of course, you need only one to Match. It may not be your first choice, but if you match, you will be working in the direction of your goals. If you do receive an invitation, it is imperative that you respond with professionalism, enthusiasm, and thorough preparation.
Programs sometimes invite applicants into January, so try to be patient and understand the process is complicated. This is a good time to find something to do to distract you. Prepare for interviews anyway by developing general questions for programs. Find a good book, enjoy time with family and friends, pursue a hobby, and above all, stay positive.
Comment below to share your tips.