orthohopeful OSRR Junior Posts: 32 (11/21/01 8:55:58 am) Reply I need you guys' opinion(s) I have a dilemma with an interview scheduling problem. I have been offered an interview at a program which I am very interested in, and I feel I have a good shot at matching there if I rank it highly. The problem is that the only date available conflicts with another interview at a program I rotated at and got a good letter from one of their bigwigs. I won't rank that place (at least not high on my list) because my wife and I don't like the city and would not be all that happy living there. So if I do the interview at the place I rotated, it would basically be as a courtesy because they treated me well and wrote me a letter. Do you guys think it would be unwise to turn down an interview at the place that wrote me a letter in favor of a program I am more interested in? I don't want to be rude and risk any repercussions, but I really am not interested in training there. Any suggestions would be appreciated. SoCalOrtho OSRR Newbie Posts: 4 (11/21/01 10:10:34 am) Reply Re: I need you guys' opinion(s) I usually don't have an opinion, but this seems to be a no-brainer to me. You have an interview at a place you really want to go to, and where you think you have a great chance of getting in-- versus a place you don't like. So go where you think you'll get in! I don't think there will be any "repercussions" at all. Do you really think your recommendor will spread rumors about you or something? I bet (s)he wouldn't even notice. . . Just curious, what city don't you and your wife like? And if you didn't like it, why rotate there? Was it for the letter? Or did you find out you disliked the city only by living there? good luck orthohopeful OSRR Junior Posts: 33 (11/21/01 10:19:30 am) Reply thanks Thanks for the advice. I totally agree with your assessment, I just wanted to hear someone else say it I guess. You always hear about what a small world ortho is, and I guess my imagination got the best of me thinking there might be repercussions for declining an interview. The city I didn't like is philadelphia. I had never been there before doing the month there, and I really didn't like it much. No offense to people there, but it wasn't at all what I expected. I think I could handle living there, but my wife hated it and I wouldn't drag her somewhere she doesn't like if I can help it. I'll go with the other interview and not worry about it. SoCalOrtho OSRR Newbie Posts: 5 (11/21/01 9:30:12 pm) Reply same thoughts I kind of have the same feeling. I didn't apply to a bunch of schools becuase I just didn't want to live in those cities (U Michigan, Iowa, Mayo, Pitt, Johns Hopkins, Duke), and now I somewhat regret it. . . but unless something incredible happened, none of these are in my top 10, and i figure I have to match one of my top 10, right? Well, I hope so, anyway. . .So, I unclicked them. . .and now I second-guess sometimes. . . . Chaney3 OSRR Intern Posts: 19 (11/22/01 12:03:16 pm) Reply dilemma I would definitely go for the program you're INTERESTED IN!! Believe me, these people have PLENTY of people waiting in the wings...so whichever program you turn down will not be offended. I don't even think the attending who wrote you the letter will even find out or remember because the coordinator takes care of everything. I went to undergrad at penn in Philly, and i have to put my 2 cents in here: It's an old city...and the people are "different"..It's one of those places that if you haven't lived there for years, you won't be all that crazy about it. It just doesn't have the glitz of LA or Chicago or NY...The people are a little crazy...and if you're from the midwest or west, you'd think they're rude and a bunch of a-holes. But that's the charm of philly i guess! Ortho3n1 OSRR Intern Posts: 8 (11/22/01 12:20:18 pm) Reply Re: dilemma since you rotated there, ask if they would be flexible to allow another date to interview. At the places I rotated, they extended that courtesy. OrthoStud OSRR Senior Posts: 54 (11/22/01 12:58:12 pm) Reply i got same dilemma but it ain't really a dilemma for me. I rotated at a program that I did not like at all...and I have a scheduling conflict with 2 other programs (one of which is my top choice). I'm definitely not going to their interview. I wouldn't rank them anyways. I was miserable there for 4 weeks. The attendings were great and treated me well, but some of the residents were a bunch of jerks and i couldn't see myself working with them. I know what you're saying about going there as a courtesy to the attending who wrote you a letter and all that jazz, and I probably would if I didn't have a date conflict...but what can you do? Do you think any of these programs would extend the same courtesy to YOU if pressed? I don't think so. Man, the whole process is so harsh and whacky that you got to do what's right for YOU and your family crazy joe davola OSRR Junior Posts: 41 (11/26/01 8:12:57 pm) Reply good advice I'd agree with the advice given here. You have to think selfishly and avoid "counting" on any program or faculty person during the process.