I know this wont help anyone this year because they interviewed all on one day, but maybe it will help out next years group.
Went to the interview, sounded like a great program: operate a ton, residents are a good group of guys, very stable staff, an up an coming program, pumping out some research.
What made a bunch of the interviewee's mad was this: supposed to have 4 slots, the morning of the interview the chairman said this year only 3 slots were available because a research guy was filling one of them. Then he proceeded to say, "I know it looks like we take a lot of Louisville students (the program was SATURATED with them- one year all 4 from louisville, several other years 3 of the residents), but this year no more than 2 slots will be filled by louisville students." So that leaves ONE SLOT.
There were around 40 candidates there....the interview process was this:
5 ten minute (YES 10 minute) interviews where they filled out a silly little sheet with categories like ethics, intellectual ability, research, LOR's, etc.....and at the bottom of the sheet was a Rank, Don't Rank, or Uncertain check box.
At the end of the day, after each interview room interviewed the 40+ students for 10 minutes each, they were going to figure out and submit their rank list......
The 10 minute interviews all went like this: your not from around these parts, why do you want to go to louisville (in other words, we are going to fill the slots will locals!)....an expected question if you are from out of town, but the feeling like you were a total outsider pervaded the place.......
After a brief conversation, the interviews were finished.....
A lot of the questions were also like this: are you AOA, what is your class rank, Where did you go to college, etc....all info that they ALREADY had and didn't see to read before interviewing you. In fact, your application folder you carried into the interview room and handed to the interviewers, then they opened it, perused it for about 1-2 minutes, and that was it! Very obvious that it was the first time they had even cracked the folder....so lots of time was wasted by asking questions that were already in the application.
The interviewers, some highlights:
Roberts: asked ethical question, like tell me about a situation you have been in that challeged your ethics.
Seligson: blunt, on the phone a lot according to many of the candidates, questions like "lets cut the crap, do you want to come here or what"
Johnson: very proud of his program, talked most the time during the interview. Not very talkative at the reception the evening before, hung out with the attendings.
Residents: benign questions
Overall, a wasted interview day....wish I hadn't driven as far as I had. I am sure there are others who felt the same way I did. I will not be ranking them, and hope things change next year for them.....
