#((literally the only reason this program SOAPs MUST be location... they're very far NorCal but in an area I personally enjoy))

[prince-liest]

I've done seven residency interviews so far, and have a couple more this week (plus more further on), and... man, it's really wild how it feels like some programs just don't seem to understand that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

Like, where would you rather go? Program A, which sent you an enthusiastic, personalized email inviting you to interview, going out of their way to provide you with all their program information and multiple accessible resident socials where you can ask the residents questions about the programs without admin present?

Or Program B, which had no residents present even at the interview itself, kept you over an hour over the scheduled interview time with no warning on a day you thought you were safe to not call out for class, and also asked you to sign an interviewee release form almost 2 weeks after your interview, gave you a form that was already filled out by another applicant from 2020, and when you requested a new form, just resent the original email with it attached instead of so much as a, "Sorry, my bad!"?

... Or Program C, which invited you to interview, had no available slots, and then ghosted you for 2 weeks and 3 emails before randomly messaging you saying, "Hey we have an opening tomorrow! Are you free?"

Needless to say I haven't even managed to interview with Program C yet, and I'm ranking Program B near the very bottom of my list for the reasons above as well as some others, even though I actually originally signalled Program B because if I went there, I wouldn't even have to move. If it weren't for the location advantage, I would seriously consider not ranking Program B at all.

Meanwhile, Program A was a really lovely interview experience, paid for my hotel and dinner when I drove down there, was really enthusiastic about my elective and learning goals (I'm asking every program whether they have opportunities for me to learn more about trans healthcare so I can offer HRT and etc.), and just generally had a really great attitude between both the professors and the residents I met. Even the OBGYN residents are all happy?! It is currently #1 on my list.

And it's not, like, low-tier in-dire-need program that's trying to bribe all the applicants or anything. They have great facilities and resources.

Anyway, the lack of awareness shown by some residency programs just baffles me. You don't have to go above and beyond, but... at least meet some basic standards of courtesy. If a program already treats me poorly during the interview process, why would I want to go there for the next three years?