How to follow-up on an application?
	InfoIMG Internal Medicine: IMG Friendly Residency Programs No Minimum USMLE Scores or <=80 Both H1 & J1 visas Either H1 or J1 Non-recent grad and USMLE scores <=80 Family Practice: No Minimum USMLE Scores or <=80 Green Card only Both H1 & J1 Either H1 visa or J1 visa IMG friendly Family Practice Residency Programs Pediatrics: No Minimum USMLE Scores Both H1 & J1 Either H1 visa or J1 visa FMG or IMG Friendly Pediatrics Residency Programs Psychiatry: No Minimum USMLE Scores Green Card/Citizens & <=80 Both H1 & J1 visas Ob/Gyn: No Minimum USMLE Scores or <=80 Both H1 & J1 Either H1 or J1 IMG Friendly Residency Programs General Surgery: IMG Friendly Residencies No Minimum USMLE Scores or <=85 Both H1 & J1 visas Either H1 or J1 Non-recent grad			How to follow-up on an application when you still have not heard from the program:    By InfoIMG Updated: September 7, 2006 Very often IMGs ask this question. InfoIMG thought it would be nice to give some pointers. (A) Many programs have the policy of not contacting applicants unless they are extended interviews. If they have already notified you of the receipt of your applications and the email also tells their above policy, do not bug them. If they don't contact you by October end, perhaps the program is not interested in interviewing you. (B) Sometimes, programs will send out letters or emails of rejection. If that happens, just accept the rejection. In both (A) and (B), you should graciously sign off, however not without one last-ditch attempt.  You can turn the implied or explicit rejection, into a last attempt to win their hearts. May be by that time you have acquired some additional experience or something else to boost your application. You can thank the program for considering your application and then tell how disappointed you are. You can cite your recent achievement and request the program to consider your application in the event of an interview cancellation. Do not have high hopes to hear from the program. Candidates often cancel their interviews at the last minute and if you have written such an email, who knows the program might even call you for an interview if they can not find anyone.     Other than that, you can always contact the program to know the status of your application. 1. If it has been at least 3 weeks since your application (assuming you apply early in September) and you have not heard anything, it is a good idea to contact the program by just saying you would like to know the status of your application. 2. If you still have not heard from the program, express worry whether all your documents have been received or not and ask the status of your application. 3. Say you have an interview in Chicago and there are 2-3 other programs in Chicago that you have not heard from. Contact the program and tell so. You can use this technique even if you are going there for a social visit. This way you will not only contact the program, but also ask for a timely response. If the program is vacillating about your application, it might even invite you for an interview. It also shows the program there is at least one program that is interviewing you and perhaps you have the right stuff. 4. Say you saw or heard some good news about the program on TV, Radio, Newspapers or other media. Example: A program is cited on National Public Radio for its community outreach program. You can use that tidbit to contact the program. Tell the program you heard about the news (citing the link or date/time of the news) and it has intensified your interest in the program. You will come out sounding really interested in the program and that might make the program look at your application favorably. Be honest and don't be fake though. 5. Phone, instead of email: If you have good communication skills, are persuasive and don't mind being on hold for a few minutes, it is a good idea to call the program instead of sending an email. A phone call is proactive and the email is somewhat passive for such follow-ups. Nor do you have to wait endlessly for the reply. Sometimes some applications are on hold and the program coordinator is supposed to contact each applicant about the applications. Given that the coordinator is often busy and stressed out, it can take days. Instead if you call may be she can ask you the relevant questions right there on the phone for clarification. You can sound enthusiastic, positive, well mannered and excited about the program on the phone; qualities that are hard to convey through email. Lastly, always be nice and well-mannered. At most programs, there is a folder for each applicant. Whatever you communicate with the program goes in to that folder and is reviewed to decide whether to offer an invitation for interview or not. The same folder is used to gather more information about the applicant at the time of interview. Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of InfoIMG's.  This is not an expert advice or analysis. You read at your own risk. All the disclaimer and terms of use apply Family Medicine | Internal Medicine | Ob/Gyn | Pediatrics | Psychiatry | General Surgery | InfoIMG | Motivation | Contact | Application Tips | FAQ © Copyright InfoIMG.com 2002-2006. All rights reserved.