I have a question I'd like people's input on:

If you were offered a pre-match at a solid community hospital (pass rates 100%, has a few fellowships there, non-malignant program whatsoever, very good training, residents place ok in fellowships that are not cardio or gi), but you still had an interview at a university program that you are really looking forward to, what would you do?

would you take the bird in hand, but have some trouble getting into fellowhip later on? or would you shoot for the one in the tree and have a better chance at fellowship in the future...but risk matching in a third option that you ranked but aren't excited about...or not even match at all.

i'm sure this is a common dilemma. any and all opinions are welcome

thanks!

well it depends on what you want. do you want to be at a university program or do you want to be at a community program. i feel it is hard not to say no when you are given such an offer and you are bitting your nails and scared of the match... i guess this doesn't apply to my particular situation as surgery rarely gives a pre-match...

i guess it would also depend on whether or not you wanted either cardio or GI...

community programs are notorious for having private attendings with little interest in teaching in general...

again also the fellowship issue.

i also feel that if someone offers you a pre-match you are probably competitive enough for other programs as well. i believe that the whole concept of a pre-match is for the program to get an applicant they normally won't get through the match.

finally, it also depends on how competive you are.

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Yadira

does anyone have any horror stories on interviews? i just went to an interview in Orlando, FL and they made it very obvious that they don't like foreign grads...

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Yadira

so why did they give you an interview? did they not realize sgu is a foreign school?

that does suck- such a waste of your time and money!!

halfway through and i can say i liked everyplace so far(some more than others, but still would be ok being at any of them)...most of the places i haven't interviewed with alot of IMGs - maybe 3? and they were for the most part rossies or other sguers...

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they knew that very well. it was basically a categorical interview to offer me a prelim spot. i'm not even going to rank them.

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Yadira

Jerks. They should be reported.

it wasn't so much that they offered me a prelim spot... it is the fact that they treated me very badly and criticized SGU left and right... in the end i don't care because i don't regret going to SGU. on the contrary, i think we had a better experience than going to a US school. our school is truly diverse plus the travel opportunities when you are down in the islands is endless. they are just simply not going to make me feel bad about it.

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Yadira

I'm really sorry to hear that seagoddess. I hope your other interviews have been better than that.

oh yeah no problem with any other interviews... but this one hit the record for the worst interview ever...lol.

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Yadira

well pffffffft to this one.............you obviously don't need them.

and GOOD LUCK TO YOU.