Last minute or cancellation interview invites for USMLE Residency for IMGs

As winter finally hits the several IMG friendly states like New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan- to name a few, it will be a blessing in disguise for many IMGs.  A combination of prematch offer acceptance, juggling several residency interviews and bad weather means may applicants will now begin rescheduling their interviews or cancelling them last minute. This is the best time to contact programs for those applicants who have fewer interviews and are looking to take advantage of this situation.

First, let’s shatter a myth- A last-minute interview will have the same significance as a regular interview and you are at par with any other applicant who had their interview earlier in the season. Some residency program directors look at this very positively that you took the initiative and overcame logistical challenges to be part of the program interview.  

Ofcouse as you accept these residency interview invites you want to ensure that you too can meet the interview date. You may want to focus on programs near your residence or within easy-to-reach distance as last-minute interview will at short notice and ofcourse you don’t want cancel an interview last minute due to the weather or logistic reasons. However, be prepared to cast a wider net, as you look for such interviews.
 
So how do you, as an international medical graduate, prepare for the last minute interviews? Read on for the top 10 tips to do well in these types of USMLE residency interviews
  1. Immediately schedule the flights appropriate means of transport to the interview. Do not delay Flights are expensive during this season and any more delay won’t likely help you get a better deal.
  2. Likewise find accommodation as soon as possible. Do not wait to book a room last minute.
  3. Read about the program on the website, do your due diligence and find out any and all information that you can about the program. know about the program director if you have the opportunity to, read about the residents, the programs expect more in this circumstance, it especially true since you contacted the program requesting for a last-minute interview. You should prove you earned the last-minute interview. Prepare Unique questions about the program
  4.  Read your C.V. and know it stone cold. Be prepared to discuss each and every aspect of your ERAS CV, your residency personal statement or your USMLE exams’ performance.
  5.  Start practicing with your friend or the least in front of a mirror.
  6. Don’t go in with the mind-set that it is a courtesy interview. There is nothing like a courtesy interview. Every interview holds the same weight to the applicant and to the program.
  7. Don’t be late for the interview. It is better to be early than to be late under any situation, especially when delays due to the weather are expected. Plan well.  
  8. Be yourself, don’t get nervous or panic on the interview day. It should not make much difference if you had a three-day notice or a month to prepare for the interview After all you should have been preparing for residency interviews since submitting your ERAS application
  9. During the Interview, be engaged and be positive. Don’t criticize the weather and take it in a positive stride if asked about it. It is likely that you got the cancellation interview due to weather related issues.
  10.  Again, as we mentioned in other articles, be professional and maintain etiquette at all times on the interview day and in subsequent interactions with the program.
Good luck for those who do receive last minute interviews and those are still trying, don’t give up yet. Many programs interview till the last day of rank order list submission deadline.