It's a deceptively bigger deal than you'd think. If the dinner is the night before, it'll definitely be asked about in interviews the next day as an icebreaker, and it'll be awkward when you say you weren't there. It's also your best chance to get a feel for the residents in the program and you're likely to get a slightly less sanitized view of the program than you will during interview day. There are also dozens of faces that come through on interview days and it's very easy to get lost among all the applicants; at a lot of programs the residents have a significant degree of input and you should try to maximize your face time with them. It will also likely be interpreted by the program that you're less serious about matching there, else you'd have made time for the dinner (if you're heading off early/getting there late because you have another interview elsewhere this will only underscore that message). I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker, but I would recommend making every effort to attend.
-senior resident at a large program
i would recommend doing everything you can to attend the dinner. it gives you more of an opportunity to get facetime with residents, and at our program we have a significant amount of input on applicants during the dinner. really, just who we liked hanging out with. if you don't attend, it's more of a disservice to you i think.
-senior resident, midwest
Definitely attend the dinner. Residents at my program help decide rank order and have veto power - a lot of the interactions happen at dinner.
-resident at northeast program
If you’re serious about matching somewhere, make an effort to be at the dinner. If it’s lower on your list, you can probably get away without it. But don’t miss dinners at your top programs or you won’t be doing yourself any favors. We like to talk to y’all in a less formal setting and see you the day before we sit down to chat.
- Resident at large southeast program
Dude like what do I do when you guys send me an invite 4 weeks after another program whew I have booked a flight and hotel and it’s non refundable. I’m sorry but I don’t have a bottomless bank account.
Has anyone matched at a program where they missed dinner?
I think if you unexpectedly really like a program and miss the dinner due to scheduling conflicts a second look can make up for it. Not advocating you do second looks routinely, but it can signal to a program that you’re serious about wanting to match there.
