inconsiderate programs...what does it say about them?

This is nothing personal to orthofixation but lets not whine about this. If you want to know bad enough, you can call the program. They may offer you an interview if they think you are serious about wanting to go to that program. Bad mouthing a program to the next applicant pool seems a bit childish to me. Clicking one extra button on ERAS wasn't that hard but trying to decide on who is going to get interviews and actually come is even harder. Again, this is not a personal attack.

Respectfully,

HJ

It is not whining, HJ. Of the 48 programs that I applied to, just under half did not have the consideration to inform me either way. After calling and leaving numerous messages in addition to multiple e-mails, I was eventually able to get answers for all but 8.

As an example: U Maryland -- late Dec. and I hadn't heard either way. I called once a day for a week and left respectful messages. Finally got a call back Jan. 14 and was told my app looked great and I would be most likely extended an interview unfortunately, the only date left was Jan 17th. Being somewhat of an interveiw begger, I jumped at the opportunity. I was promised a phone call the next day which, never came. After many respectful messages, I still have not heard what happened. That is not whining, that is getting screwed.

There are other examples but I've droned on enough. Considering the amount of money it costs to apply ($860 is still a lot of money to me), the absolute least the programs could do is to inform you that they do not plan to interview you -- that is not asking too much. The staff and the way they conduct the business of interviewing including the responses to applicants is a direct reflection of the programs and their respective PDs. If you cannot manage your department well enough to mass e-mail the rejected pool of applicants, how will they manage your education?

HJ,

I honestly appreciate your respectful reply, but just as easy as it is for us to select a program on ERAS, it's just a form letter and a click away for a program to send a MASS email to the rejectees. Furthermore, Iowa was a program who required additional info such as college transcripts (whatever...college was eons ago) and maybe MCAT scores although I can't remember for sure. At any rate, I agree that it's wise not to be childish about it, but is it really worth it for a program to alienate people in any way? Just think what you say about a program that sent you a paper letter saying 'sorry, but...' I've seen guys be very positive about a program on this board and the interview trail just based on the fact that they had the courtesy to send something. I know we're all beggars so clearly nobody owes us anything and I'm sure that's exactly why some programs just don't give a rat's #@$.
I think in a larger sense, this topic highlights one of the adversarial aspects of this whole process. Dont' get me wrong, I think the match is probably the best way to do things, but at the end of the day we all just want a spot and the programs know that--they have what we so dearly want--and there's more of us than them so it's a sellers market. Enough--probably too much--said.

Spiner, I have to agree with your reply and sorry to hear the MD basically ignored you. You didn't want to go there anyway!


Peace, OF

I wasn't aware that it was so prevalent. I only had 3 programs out of 30 with no reply. I do know that several programs have lost residency coordinators throughout this interview season and I'm sure that many more will. I would try to call the program director and not the program coordinator to get some answers from the places that you are still unable to reach. However, I still stand with the notion that a program should not be bad mouthed to the next applicant pool because of this.

I interviewed at Iowa and I did not have to provide college transcripts or MCAT scores...just the basic ERAS application with 3 LOR's. It's an incredibly strong program with excellent faculty.

Good luck on trying to get the answers you need.


Respectfully,

HJ

HJ,

I don't know which University of Iowa you applied to but here is a cut and paste off of their website:

Completed application form
Letter of recommendation from Dean of Medical School
Three additional letters of recommendation
College Transcripts
USMLE scores
One page personal statement recommended
Medical School transcript (loaded on Eras or hard copy)
*****A hard copy of your college transcripts should also be sent to the following address:

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery 01008JPP
C/O Jeanette Marsh
Iowa City, IA. 52242-1009
319-356-2595

OF

I was told the college transcript requirement at Iowa is not necessarily an "absolute" requirement... there's definitely no MCAT requirement though. I think HJ's situation is completely plausible.

Thank you Trigen. A lot of the websites contain outdated information. My feeling about interview offers is that if you have the grades and scores (just about everyone here) then they want to interview the people who genuinely would want to come to (insert program here). With so many qualified applicants, they are looking for someone that would be happy with a match at their program. If you are serious, call their program coordinator or director and explain to them why you really want an interview. I have heard of places that offer special interviews after the regularly scheduled ones to the applicants that are truely interested.

Good Luck,

HJ

every program that has not responded to my application status has received no less than 3 emails/phone calls (left messages) from me.

i find it hard to believe that in an 8 hour day, it is impossible to return an email or phone call. Especially consiedering their have been well over 50 working days since i started contacting programs (Mid-Dec).

Programs can continue to get away with unprofessional behavior because their positions are so coveted. When you have 450 applicants for ~4 spots, the 400 people you don't interview can get lost in the shuffle.

However, it can't be that hard to put a check next to my name in a mass email whose subject line reads "regrets."

i do not think there is any defense for the unprofessional behavior exhibited by a few programs. it is either due to carelessness or thoughtlessness, it is up to them to decide which quality they would ascribe to themselves