Has anyone matched from a school's 2nd tier?

An applicant from my school 2 years ago was offered an interview 48 hours before the interview date across the country because someone had cancelled. It was one of their top choices and a top program, so they went for it and ended up ranking it number one and matched there.

I think we underestimate how important the interview is in this process. The program director at one of my aways said that in the applicant pool (this program gets ~500 apps) the top 5% are superstars and the bottom 20% can be for the most part screened out, but the middle 75% of applicants are very similar. So this is why it seems so random as far as who gets interviews, there are so many of us that are so similar. This means that the interview is where these applicants are able to differentiate themselves from their peers in both a good and a bad way.

just my $0.02 (and I'm just an applicant too, so what do I know)

Once you make it past the initial screening process and are in the group of applicants being interviewed you are on equal footing. Those who rotated may have an advantage due to familiarity, etc... but the interviews really are key to helping select students whom the faculty predict will be outstanding residents!

Good luck --

wnl

This question has been asked many times. The answer is yes, and no. Many places youa re on equal footing. Others, and I think this is fewer, pre-rank you before you start..and then add a weight based on the interview.

Which ones do what.. it's hard to say. I know for a fact that Mayo, UMDNJ newark..follow the rank first..then add points for the interview. See the 2002? JBJS article from mayo about how to objectively score candidates.

-iliiz