As a resident application reviewer at a program that is often mentioned as high-tier, I can confirm that we tried to take into account regional connections and general likelihood of attracting certain candidates that fit within our program's generalized profile. We also slightly expanded the number of interview invites we sent out. I believe the single most problematic aspect of the pandemic in trying to determine competitiveness of applicants was the lack of away rotations. By and large, letters of recommendation from home programs are glowing. If those letters are taken at face value, everyone pisses excellence and farts rainbows. Away rotations (and their resulting letters) allowed for some of the home-field advantage to be taken away, giving the reviewer a better understanding of how they fit in with different groups and program cultures, as well as providing a more nuanced assessment of their work ethic. Additionally, if you are very well-liked at an away institution, your stock jumps up drastically with them, regardless of the remainder of your application.
And I agree, it is frustrating that we can't invite and interview tons of people to make up for these shortcomings, but there are functional limitations. The online approach to interviews differs drastically from the established norm. This will lead to delays and hiccups. People will be logging on from different time zones, meaning some may be interviewing at 5 in the morning or 9 at night, based on where the home program is. Additionally, you can't just add more interview days, as the staff are busy and have full schedules, with surgeries or obligations scheduled far in advance. I feel for you guys, but you have made it this far and I suspect you will persevere. Just please, for the love of god, wear pants during your virtual interviews, even if we can't see below the desk.
(11-04-2020, 02:49 PM)Guest Wrote: As a resident application reviewer at a program that is often mentioned as high-tier, I can confirm that we tried to take into account regional connections and general likelihood of attracting certain candidates that fit within our program's generalized profile. We also slightly expanded the number of interview invites we sent out. I believe the single most problematic aspect of the pandemic in trying to determine competitiveness of applicants was the lack of away rotations. By and large, letters of recommendation from home programs are glowing. If those letters are taken at face value, everyone pisses excellence and farts rainbows. Away rotations (and their resulting letters) allowed for some of the home-field advantage to be taken away, giving the reviewer a better understanding of how they fit in with different groups and program cultures, as well as providing a more nuanced assessment of their work ethic. Additionally, if you are very well-liked at an away institution, your stock jumps up drastically with them, regardless of the remainder of your application.
And I agree, it is frustrating that we can't invite and interview tons of people to make up for these shortcomings, but there are functional limitations. The online approach to interviews differs drastically from the established norm. This will lead to delays and hiccups. People will be logging on from different time zones, meaning some may be interviewing at 5 in the morning or 9 at night, based on where the home program is. Additionally, you can't just add more interview days, as the staff are busy and have full schedules, with surgeries or obligations scheduled far in advance. I feel for you guys, but you have made it this far and I suspect you will persevere. Just please, for the love of god, wear pants during your virtual interviews, even if we can't see below the des
Except there is no away this year, so I guess LOR mean nothing this cycle? How about the general surgery or non-surgery letter?
(11-04-2020, 03:06 PM)Guest Wrote: (11-04-2020, 02:49 PM)Guest Wrote: As a resident application reviewer at a program that is often mentioned as high-tier, I can confirm that we tried to take into account regional connections and general likelihood of attracting certain candidates that fit within our program's generalized profile. We also slightly expanded the number of interview invites we sent out. I believe the single most problematic aspect of the pandemic in trying to determine competitiveness of applicants was the lack of away rotations. By and large, letters of recommendation from home programs are glowing. If those letters are taken at face value, everyone pisses excellence and farts rainbows. Away rotations (and their resulting letters) allowed for some of the home-field advantage to be taken away, giving the reviewer a better understanding of how they fit in with different groups and program cultures, as well as providing a more nuanced assessment of their work ethic. Additionally, if you are very well-liked at an away institution, your stock jumps up drastically with them, regardless of the remainder of your application.
And I agree, it is frustrating that we can't invite and interview tons of people to make up for these shortcomings, but there are functional limitations. The online approach to interviews differs drastically from the established norm. This will lead to delays and hiccups. People will be logging on from different time zones, meaning some may be interviewing at 5 in the morning or 9 at night, based on where the home program is. Additionally, you can't just add more interview days, as the staff are busy and have full schedules, with surgeries or obligations scheduled far in advance. I feel for you guys, but you have made it this far and I suspect you will persevere. Just please, for the love of god, wear pants during your virtual interviews, even if we can't see below the des
Except there is no away this year, so I guess LOR mean nothing this cycle? How about the general surgery or non-surgery letter?
My home program told me no one cares about the gen surg LOR
(11-04-2020, 04:00 PM)Guest Wrote: (11-04-2020, 03:06 PM)Guest Wrote: (11-04-2020, 02:49 PM)Guest Wrote: As a resident application reviewer at a program that is often mentioned as high-tier, I can confirm that we tried to take into account regional connections and general likelihood of attracting certain candidates that fit within our program's generalized profile. We also slightly expanded the number of interview invites we sent out. I believe the single most problematic aspect of the pandemic in trying to determine competitiveness of applicants was the lack of away rotations. By and large, letters of recommendation from home programs are glowing. If those letters are taken at face value, everyone pisses excellence and farts rainbows. Away rotations (and their resulting letters) allowed for some of the home-field advantage to be taken away, giving the reviewer a better understanding of how they fit in with different groups and program cultures, as well as providing a more nuanced assessment of their work ethic. Additionally, if you are very well-liked at an away institution, your stock jumps up drastically with them, regardless of the remainder of your application.
And I agree, it is frustrating that we can't invite and interview tons of people to make up for these shortcomings, but there are functional limitations. The online approach to interviews differs drastically from the established norm. This will lead to delays and hiccups. People will be logging on from different time zones, meaning some may be interviewing at 5 in the morning or 9 at night, based on where the home program is. Additionally, you can't just add more interview days, as the staff are busy and have full schedules, with surgeries or obligations scheduled far in advance. I feel for you guys, but you have made it this far and I suspect you will persevere. Just please, for the love of god, wear pants during your virtual interviews, even if we can't see below the des
Except there is no away this year, so I guess LOR mean nothing this cycle? How about the general surgery or non-surgery letter?
My home program told me no one cares about the gen surg LOR
I haven't read one of them
Anybody having issues with candidate-rank.com? I can't confirm an interview with Mississippi
Not working for me either. I emailed the Program Coordinator
Am I the only one getting interviews from super random programs but missing ones expected from home/med school/undergrad region?
(By random, I mean having no discernible pattern of geography/prestige etc)
Election delays = interview invite delays
(11-05-2020, 12:29 PM)Guest Wrote: Election delays = interview invite delays
All of the ERAS applications were mail in though...are they all getting thrown out?
DannyStormials
Unregistered
I'm getting ready to match this season — frankly I did match this season. It’s a very sad moment. To me this is a very sad moment, and I will match. And as far as I’m concerned, I already have.
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