Socials before CARMS interviews- how important are they?

[Bookmark311]

I have heard that attending the social events during CARMS is necessary because this is when residents select if they want to work with you. Is that true???

[rmorelan]

5 minutes ago, Bookmark311 said:

I have heard that attending the social events during CARMS is necessary because this is when residents select if they want to work with you. Is that true???

this is always going to be a bit program specific but as a general rule they aren't for that for a bunch of good reasons 

1) We know completely well not everyone can make them. There are flights to arrange, and interviews can be very tight. It isn't fair to disadvantage someone that simply cannot attend them

2) They aren't at all systematic. Well you meet every single evaluating resident during the event? Probably not and how are impressions then formalized. Interviews/CARMS are not thing thrown together - they want fair systematic system here if for no other reason than that is how you get the better applicants. 

3) Residents are almost always a part of the actual interview process - they help run entire stations, and usually they are there on other stations with staff. Therefore there are other places that that feedback is collected.

This is not to say they are useless by any means. You can learn about the program there, break the ice with people you may see on the interview, and perhaps there are some first impressions you can make that in some way won't hurt you at the interview itself.  All of that with a definite may attached ha, and again this depends on the program. Also if you are a complete ass at one of these then shockingly that may come back to bit you in the ass in terms of getting selected. That doesn't mean they are formally a part of the process most of the time.  

Bottom line is of course you should try to go to them as a learning opportunity unless doing so impacts you ability to do someone more important (like getting to the next interview). 

[jlkhhylyiluh6]

if it was "necessary" they would make it mandatory lol. They also wouldnt make it so the specialty have interviews every day of the week for 3 weeks straight. Hell, some dont even have socials (ex UofT psych)

[daleader]

3 minutes ago, beeboop said:

if it was "necessary" they would make it mandatory lol. They also wouldnt make it so the specialty have interviews every day of the week for 3 weeks straight. Hell, some dont even have socials (ex UofT psych)

 

2 hours ago, rmorelan said:

this is always going to be a bit program specific but as a general rule they aren't for that for a bunch of good reasons 

1) We know completely well not everyone can make them. There are flights to arrange, and interviews can be very tight. It isn't fair to disadvantage someone that simply cannot attend them

2) They aren't at all systematic. Well you meet every single evaluating resident during the event? Probably not and how are impressions then formalized. Interviews/CARMS are not thing thrown together - they want fair systematic system here if for no other reason than that is how you get the better applicants. 

3) Residents are almost always a part of the actual interview process - they help run entire stations, and usually they are there on other stations with staff. Therefore there are other places that that feedback is collected.

This is not to say they are useless by any means. You can learn about the program there, break the ice with people you may see on the interview, and perhaps there are some first impressions you can make that in some way won't hurt you at the interview itself.  All of that with a definite may attached ha, and again this depends on the program. Also if you are a complete ass at one of these then shockingly that may come back to bit you in the ass in terms of getting selected. That doesn't mean they are formally a part of the process most of the time.  

Bottom line is of course you should try to go to them as a learning opportunity unless doing so impacts you ability to do someone more important (like getting to the next interview). 

what about for smaller programs like ophtho? 

any difference between ophtho vs IM for example?