Programs that guarantee interviews to rotators

So I have a funny story regarding this.

I rotated at a program that I was really crossing my fingers for. Very respected program near where I'm from. Told my chief the first day "this is where I want to be". At the end of the rotation my chief said "we'll be seeing you on interview day, unless you're a total jerk you get interviews here". Interview emails came out a couple months later....no interview.

I called the coordinator a few times...nothing. Finally got someone on the phone and they said all interviews had gone out and now someone would need to cancel for me to get one.

Waited a few weeks later and I get notified I got AOA. Email the chairmen and a couple of attendings and just say "hey I don't know if I'm still being considered but I just wanted to let you all know I got AOA". Two weeks go by and I get a phone-call saying "we'd like to extend you an interview".

Interview goes great, got a couple of comments from attendings saying "we're happy you were able to make it".

Get an email the following week saying I'd be ranked in the top 15.

Opened my letter...matched there.

This process is crazy, anyone who claims they know how it works is kidding themselves. Even my chief, who was on the panel, couldn't explain why I didn't get an interview initially. Keep your head up guys, this process is a ride.

If a program "interviews you while you're on your rotation" that does not mean you are being considered a "rankable" applicant. There are many reasons to conduct the interviews while you are on the rotation and it may well be that it is because they do not want you to have to fly back, etc...

From a political standpoint it is certainly easier to tell the students that all rotators will be interviewed during the month, rather than to do what many programs do which is to consider the subinternship a month-long interview. Then, if you are not invited back it just might not be a good fit(for either concerned party!) and they do not want you to waste your money at an interview where you will not have a reasonable chance of matching (and the other issues discussed on this forum including your opportunity to interview that conflicted day at another program where you do have a chance of matching!).

So whether you are interviewed during the month or come back for an interview the bottom line is that the subinternships remain the best way for you all to explore programs in which you have sincere interest. Try not to over-analyze which ones "guarantee interviews" for all rotators because I think that is probably not why you should ultimately choose the programs to which you rotate!

Good luck as always to the next class of future orthopaedic surgeons --

wnl

Florida and Emory interview you while you're on your rotation.

My answer is 2, without question. Why waste the money on a "pity" interview? And the hypothesis that programs that guarantee interviews have pre-screened their sub-Is more strictly so your odds are better is false. I agree with those who recommend rotating at programs you really want to go to because you have the ability to improve your chances a lot. At the same time, when you're talking about super competitive programs, no one should expect a good sub-I rotation to completely offset a lousy academic record, so be realistic about your choices.

Yes, but this is also true of schools that don't interview all rotators. Chances are if you rotated and didn't get an interview, you didn't have a strong rotation. Even if you get a guaranteed interview, if you didn't have a strong rotation, it isn't going to help.

You could always call them and find out.

Hey everyone, this is an interesting topic. Since some of the schools mentioned (UNC, Duke, Emory, etc..) guarantee interviews for the rotators, how hard is it to do a rotation at those schools? Is it a first come first serve basis or is it an actual application process where they accept and reject rotation applicants? Any and all advice will greatly be appreciated.

I only rotated at places that guarantee an interview. I felt that the month I spent at a program was too precious to waste on a place that couldn't guarantee me an interview. You would be surprised on how much higher you could jump on a rank list after a strong month of rotation...even with scores that aren't crazy high.

Penn State interviews all of their rotators, as told to me by their residency coordinator

George Washington, Emory, UNC, and Duke all specifically say on their websites that they interview rotators during their aways.

Emory interviews all who rotate

The only benefit in knowing which programs offer interviews to rotators is that if you get offered an away at such a place, you know that they consider you a competitive applicant already.

As far as all the rants from rotators who didn't end up getting an interview somewhere: a) as mentioned above, be grateful you didn't waste (more of) your time and money on a hopeless interview and b) what happened during your rotation that got you scratched off the list?! That's what I always wonder.

I come from a small med school (60 per class) and 7 of us matched ortho. From my experience and the other guys who matched, these are the programs that seem to interview (and prefer) rotators:

UTC, Campbell Clinic, UF-Jacksonville, UF-Gainesville, MCG, Greenville, Emory, Arkansas, Greenville, AMC. However, I suspect, most programs will at least offer rotators an interview. It might be more helpful to consider who doesn't interview you just because you rotate. The only one I know of for sure is Vanderbilt.

I rotated at UF-Gainesville and Arkansas. UF interviewed me while I was there which was nice since I didn't have to travel back. On the other hand, I really liked the program and your first interview of the year is almost certainly your worst! So, consider that as well. I ended up matching at my overall favorite program - Summa Health, but I didn't rotate there. The other guys in my class ended up mostly where they rotated (UF-Jacksonville, UTC, Greenville, etc).

UNC counts your rotation as the interview.

Emory interviews all rotators on the last Thursday of the rotation.

So, with these two programs you get an interview and also avoid expense and hassle of traveling back for an interview later in the season.

Pitt interviews all rotators

I don't believe it should be a factor. You should rotate at places where you want to go, or at places you want to learn more about. I tried to rotate at a variety of programs to see which type I liked better. My home program is a newer university program so I rotated at a well established university program and a community program. Turns out I didn't match so it didn't much matter.

Perhaps more important should be to find out which programs only interview a small fraction of their rotators. The ones I've heard about are one in NYC which I can't remember and UC Davis.

Hmmm good point. So do you think this should not be a factor to consider when deciding where to do aways?

This thread should prompt the debate about whether guaranteed interviews are a plus or minus.

1. Yes, you are guaranteed an interview.

2. If you rotate there and they aren't high on you, wouldn't you rather save your money and a potential interview at another program than go to a place where you have no chance?

Mayo interviews all of it's rotators.