The truth about call backs. (my response from another forum)

They serve several functions but in general are frowned upon by the AAMC and all concerned parties. They are by no means illegal, unless you tell the applicant where you rank them or ask specifically where you rank us.

I do not know how UPITT works but I can guarantee that Dr. FU is not calling every interviewee. It is probably good business to call applicants you want to get, some of us still feel a little weird calling, it does not help the applicant in any way, but can help the program.

I AM NOT SAYING THAT PROGRAMS THAT CALL ARE BAD OR UNDERHANDED. THIS IS BUSINESS AND IN MANY WAYS IT SHOWS DEDICATION TO THEIR RESPECTIVE PROGRAMS.

But many programs look at their rank list (typically finalized on the last day of interviews) and contact those that are within their desired match range. What does that mean?

Interview 40 or so, rank 35 or so (that's right some applicants are so bad at the time of interview that we would rather scramble on matchday than match them.) The 'strongest' applicants are in the top 50% or less and your wish list is the first few applicants(=to your number of spots).

Bottom line: Every program has their own system, I estimate less than 50% call outside their number of applicants. The vast majority of programs match outside their top X (X=# of spots).

Hope this is helpful

Q: i was just wondering, for the typical program, excluding maybe
some 'elite' programs, how deep down the rank list will most
programs have to go to fill their spots?? I've heard 3-4 per spot but i'm not sure if thats accurate at all.

A: That is probably pretty accurate. We expend the majority of our efforts on those who are in so called striking distance, (I'd say 3x your number of spots-I personally have matched down to 4x with applicants who turned out to be great. It is a crappy and arbitrary system, but it's all we have right now. In a bad year a program can fall through the match completely (even good places). Happened to NYU/JD 3 or 4 years ago. Works out well for those who unfortunately end up scrambling on match day.

Q: Are most cannidates pre-ranked to a certain degree before they interview?? if so, how far up or down the list does on typically move based on the interview?? it seems that my interviews were so benign that it would have been hard to move me either way based on what i said.

A: Some (few) programs create their rank list before interview day(s). BUT, the ultimate rating is based on the so called 'whole package' which is the some of the 'paper' and the interview. Some programs grant interviews to those they feel are qualified and then ignore the paperwork and base everything on the interview. Quite honestly, even within programs each interviewer will approach things differently. I have to factor that in with each rating I receive from an examiner things are averaged/weighted and scrutinized closely.

As for 'benign' interviews, that is usually good. It means a lot just to get an interview, do not overestimate your competition some people come in and say/do the craziest stuff. We joke that it feels like American Idol sometimes. Do the math, interview 5X, throw out/no rank 1X, match up to 3X-it puts you pretty close.