Maintenance notice: Some features that submit or update information are temporarily disabled while we migrate the website. You can continue browsing normally. Thank you for your understanding.

Only 1 Interview...what do I do?

  • orthostudent007
  • Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
13 years 9 months ago - 13 years 9 months ago #31266 by orthostudent007
Only 1 Interview...what do I do? was created by orthostudent007
Hello everyone,
So I only have 1 interview so far (I was a rotator), and am getting worried my application is not up to par.
I do not have a backup, and am thinking of what to do now and next year just in case I do not match.
I applied broadly to over 70 programs, and feel that I have strong LORS from big name places.

What should I do?
Is this the right time to worry?
Is there a complete source I can refer to for a list of research year positions?
Thanks.

My Stats:
Step 1: 232
Step 2: Taking in Dec
Clinical: 2H in Psyc, Fam. HP in Med, Surg, OBGYN, Neuro, etc
AOA: no, but ranked "superior" according to MSPE.
Research: 1 publication in AAOS, 1 podium presentation at a national meeting, 2 ongoing research projects.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Visitor
  • Visitor
13 years 9 months ago - 13 years 9 months ago #23475 by
i'm in the similar situation and am starting to worry if something is wrong with my paper application.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Visitor
  • Visitor
13 years 9 months ago - 13 years 9 months ago #23486 by
This process sucks. Everyone who has gone through it has told me you get less than you expect, get rejections at your 'fallbacks' but then get an offer at some place you thought you had no chance. Don't give up hope yet, but I think you should talk to your faculty.

There is no shame in emailing your PD/chair/student coordinator/rotation director/whoever-takes-care-of-students/LOR writers and say 'hey, I'm getting nervous about only having one interview. Any suggestions?" and maybe they can make some calls.

Its not going to get you MORE rejections, and it might get you invitations, so whats the harm.

Feel free to disagree with me, but thats what I would do.

Good luck everyone.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Visitor
  • Visitor
13 years 9 months ago - 13 years 9 months ago #23496 by
OP you and I are in pretty much the same boat. I have 1 interview at a place I rotated at and 16 rejections. Our Step1 scores are the same and our research experiences are roughly equivalent. I talked to my PD the other day and he said my LORs were strong and that my app had no red flags. He said it's the nature of the beast and just to wait it out and see. Hope you hear something soon.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Visitor
  • Visitor
13 years 9 months ago - 13 years 9 months ago #23511 by
I am with you... only 2 interview offers so far. I have had a handful of rejections as well, but mostly it is just a vast sea of silence. I spoke with my advisor and he reassured me that there are no red flags in my application, and that it is just a waiting game at this point. He said not to panic yet, but if things haven't picked up by early December, I may want to consider applying for a prelim gen surgery year "just in case."

I have not talked with my PD yet, mainly because I don't want HIM to worry about my application or give him any reason to doubt my competitiveness as a candidate for my home program. That being said, is it worth it to bring him in the loop so he can maybe make some calls or write some emails on my behalf? Or, what do you guys think about me contacting the programs directly to reiterate my interest in them? Is that a common trend among med students, or is it just considered annoying?

I know it is basically out of my hands at this point and I should just have faith and be patient, but the silence is killing me!

Please Log in to join the conversation.

  • Visitor
  • Visitor
13 years 9 months ago - 13 years 9 months ago #23512 by
i would advise against contacting programs, my PD told me that the last thing they want is a med student "harassing' their coordinator! what it boils down to is simply if they like your application they will invite you

Please Log in to join the conversation.

Moderators: christianOrthoDoc

Find, Use, Share, Expand Orthopaedic Information

Improving orthopaedic care, education and research using Internet technologies