Applicant Email 9-7-09

Dear All,
 
It’s fall and that means interview time begins. Some of you have already received invitations but all of you should start preparing now.
 
First of all, I am attaching our simple interview handout. This is a not complicated, secret-laden process. It is mostly about common sense, genuineness, and thoughtful preparation. Try not to spend time reading and worrying over all the hogwash on www.studentdoctor.net.  Sometimes there are useful factual items – e.g. allow 45 minutes to get from the airport if you take the cheap shuttle – but try to be wary of horror stories, over-dramatizations, and things that sound odd or unlikely. They probably are.
 
Earlier I sent an alumni email list. I will send it again in a week or two. These alums are great resources. Try an email exchange prior to your interview, or even a plan to meet up when you are there. The comfort level you will gain by connecting with another Jumbo is very valuable.
 
Be sure you are reading the newspaper for lots of reasons but particularly since this year we are at another critical juncture regarding health care reform in this country. What happens will impact us all, but none more than you who are making this field your profession. So know what is going on.
 
Schedule interviews as early as you can, without jeopardizing your job, or your academic work. Alert your professors and/or bosses now to the fact that you are applying and may be needing time away. Find out if certain times are better than others, and accommodate them if possible. Schools will be understanding about rescheduling ONE TIME but do not try to do so a second time with the same school. Also try to schedule travel together IF POSSIBLE. If you are invited to an interview in Chicago, you may email another Chicago school if you have at least a month’s notice to ask if they might be planning to invite you for an interview, and asking if it could possibly be scheduled at the same time. Remember to always be polite and not entitled. There are lots of other applicants out there and they do not have to accommodate you. But if they can, they will.
 
Good luck in the coming months and keep us posted.
 
Regards,
Carol