The anxiety of not getting a residency Interview by mid-November- What should you do?

NOTE: Due to the change in 2021 season's timeline, for the purpose of this blog, add 4 weeks to the typical schedule. We expect interviews to start first week of November, as compared to previous seasons (when it was first week of October)

One of the greatest concerns that most applicants have is the number of Interviews vs the chances of matching. It’s a cause of panic especially to applicants who don’t receive the interviews on the first wave.

First some clarifications-  Based on the NRMP data and surveys (2017), in Internal Medicine, median number of interviews for the independent applicants who matched was 9, so it definitely helps if you have more interviews.

However, there is no evidence that receiving interviews early in the season increases your match probability. Over the last few years one of the major concerns for most applicants is exactly that- receiving interviews early in the cycle. Many applicants become nervous and frustrated by the overwhelming number of rejections during the initial stage.

Remember as an IMG if you have applied to over a 150 programs and you would expect over a 100 rejections. Even for the most ‘qualified’ IMGs more than 30 interviews are rare. If the program does not select you for interview it doesn’t mean you are not qualified enough, it just means the program has chosen another candidate who would rather fit in and this should not be cause of distress. As we say to our students at USMLESarthi “You need to match only at one program and it may take only one interview”. We understand the anxiety most applicants face but should not it be of concern. Rather you should spend time on improving your profile (more rotations, Step 3) or in program outreach, for example.

Our own student experience has shown that even applicants receiving their first interview in the third wave (December or later) have a similar chance of matching as those who receive the first interview during the first wave from the same program. Regardless of the timing of when you receive your first interview once you receive it from the program you stand an equal chance of matching unless it is a pre-match program that has a first-come first-served policy in most instances.

Applicants do get nervous which is quite understandable when you see your peers having two or three interviews and you have none. Be assured you shall receive yours. Programs continuously keep reviewing applications and keep sending interviews throughout the Match cycle.
Post-Thanksgiving, there will be numerous cancellations. Many applicants will accept pre-match, others with 15+ interviews tend to cancel due to logistics and financial reasons and there may be weather related cancellations as well. Many of those who have fewer number of interviews or no interviews, stand a high chance of receiving interviews during this period on short notice.
Remember even if you have a single interview you have an equal chance of a Match. (for such candidates we highly recommend they hone their interview skills and to be extensively prepared to be successful in the match).

​So don’t Panic and keep going.

​Good Luck to a Successful Season. 

 Useful Videos for IMGs & Caribbean applicants

Residency Interview questions
Matching with low scores, fewer interviews
Tips for Residency interviews