Hi everyone:
I hope that everyone is doing well and that interview invitations are starting to come in! This is an exciting time in the process. If you have been getting many invitations, it usually means that you are a competitive applicant. Remember, no one will get every interview offer and sometimes, it seems random where you get rejected from. Here are some helpful tips on enjoying the process and on saving money.
1) You will be seeing the same people at your interviews. For me, that was the best part of the process because I met many people and made many good friends as a result of going through this.
2) Most places will have a dinner or get-together the night before the interview. If you can make it, you should go. If you are not able to make it, do not feel bad about it. It is more for you to find out about the program. I do not think that it ultimately affect the outcome. If the program at which you interview at do not have such an event, you should arrange one on your own with the other applicants.
3) Once you get to know one another, make arrangements to share hotel rooms and even car rentals. I shared a room with someone for most of my interviews.
4) If you have not done so, apply for a Delta SkyMiles and American Airlines AAdvantage card. Each gives you enough points to get a roundtrip flight. Do so now so that you will get the points when you need it. Try to fly the same airlines if possible. I am going to Australia next month using miles I earned through the interview process!
5) Interview at as many programs as you are comfortable with. I received 43 interview offers last year, interviewed at 23, ended up ranking 14 of them, and matched at my first choice program. I spent over $10,000. In retrospect, I probably did not need to interview at that many programs but at the time, that was what I was comfortable with. Interviewing at many places will also help you to feel more comfortable interviewing and undoubtedly, you will be better at it the more you do it.
6) Remember, the majority of the programs will offer you fantastic training to be a plastic surgeon. You need to decide what your goals are and what factors in a program are important to you. Even the most prestigious programs might not be a fit for everyone.
7) Good luck everyone and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at prsmatch2010@gmail.com.
P.S. Here is a post that I received from one of your colleages:
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I am sure many programs have been offering interviews by now. So far I have heard from Temple, Penn, South Carolina, Chattanooga, Nebraska, Mayo-Arizona, Scott & White, LSU, UNC, Pittsburgh, Lahey Clinic and Camden. If anyone would like to know any interview dates, please let me know. What other programs have made offers?
So far I am planning on trying to use the same airline and hotel chain (along with their rewards programs) as much as possible. Anybody have any other cost-savings tips? The expenses are starting to add up.
Also, I noticed that last year people were using this blog to arrange dinners the night before and share the cost of hotel rooms and rental cars…
Good luck everyone!
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