How do programs decide which interview date to give you?

I am trying not to be paranoid, but it seems when I respond for my choice of interview date I do it within minutes of receiving the email, but for three schools each with one very popular date, I have consistently been told that I cannot have that date and must interview on the less attractive, impossible for me date. Do you think the decisions are made by lottery, by time and date of response, or, as I fear, by how much they want you? Wanted to know if anyone has any knowledge about this issue. Thanks. It matters, because if it is because they don't really care about me, then I am less likely to take red-eyes and spend even more of the thousands of dollars this is costing me, and probably you too. Mental note: remind myself to marry someone in the airline industry prior to interview season next year.

Programs often give priority to their home students and rotators when it comes to interview dates. Also, just because you replied within minutes of receiving the email does not mean it was sent to you only minutes ago. The forwarded it takes from ERAS to your email server to your phone can take precious minutes and can be quite variable depending on the time of day and carrier.

Basically, all ortho departments purchase anywhere from 40-80 darts. They then tape all the applications to the wall and down a few beers. When everyone in the office starts getting tipsy, they start throwing darts. That is how they determine who gets an invite.

Next, they put those applications on the floor and bring in the cat. The cat pees on approximately half the applications- these are the students who get the first date. The applications that do not get peed on automatically get the second day. They then email all the applicants with the tentative dates and ask them for their preference- meanwhile, the dates have been determined by the pee. You, the applicant, have no choice to accept what was determined by the darts and the pee and you take what you can get.

And that is how interview invites are sent out.

Basically, all ortho departments purchase anywhere from 40-80 darts. They then tape all the applications to the wall and down a few beers. When everyone in the office starts getting tipsy, they start throwing darts. That is how they determine who gets an invite.

Next, they put those applications on the floor and bring in the cat. The cat pees on approximately half the applications- these are the students who get the first date. The applications that do not get peed on automatically get the second day. They then email all the applicants with the tentative dates and ask them for their preference- meanwhile, the dates have been determined by the pee. You, the applicant, have no choice to accept what was determined by the darts and the pee and you take what you can get.

And that is how interview invites are sent out.

VERY VERY FUNNY

Thanks, GW. I feel much better now that I understand the process. I guess I won't take it personally. Note to myself: Get a dog.

Thanks, GW. I feel much better now that I understand the process. I guess I won't take it personally. Note to myself]

No worries, I have already planned out my future in case I don't match. All that 'do a research year' or 'do a prelim year' is a bunch of hooey. All you need is catnip impregnated magnetic paper that will 1) increase the chances of a dart hitting your application and 2) lure the cats to your application. HSS, here I come...I have figured out the solution to your formula.