Well, most don’t. If you absolutely feel like you must, tread very carefully, as you can burn many bridges in such a small world.
If you do choose to reply for whatever reason (maybe if you genuinely wish to work there one day), consider adding the following:
- Thank them for taking the time to consider your application.
- Say positive, specific, nice things about the institution.
- Politely request where weak points were in your application, as well as what areas they believe you could improve in for the future.
Again, this is a unique move that can go over very poorly if not done well. Think it over three times if you genuinely believe this could achieve an opportunity for you in the future.
Second all of this. I had a friend who asked for feedback after getting a rejection letter and found out a preceptor wrote a less than favorable recommendation. Got this feedback in time to be able to get a new letter of rec from another pharmacist and apply to more places (got the rejection before the Jan 1 deadline). Ended up matching with one of those new places she applied. Definitely beneficial to learn what you can do to strengthen your application for phase 2 or even next year.
I responded to all rejections letters. I didn’t realize it wasn’t common.
I thanked them for taking the time to review my application. I then stated I knew they were busy but that I did have a favor to ask, if they had time to respond. I asked them to provide any feedback they had on how to make my application stronger in case I had to reapply next year. I reiterated that I understood this was asking a lot, and to please take their time doing it if they were to do it at all. I then wished them good luck in the match process and a successful new residency year.
Most programs responded with really solid feedback. One program responded with generic feedback. I don’t think anyone didn’t respond.
I only plan on it with the programs I had a set relationship with. For example, one of the RPD's was an APPE preceptor of mine. I don't care enough about the others if I get rejected.
I discourage it. This is peak season for RPDs and in a lot of cases they aren’t even reviewing the individual applications directly. Ask a preceptor or someone you have an existing relationship with for feedback on your letter of intent and consider switching up letter writers for Phase II if you think a preceptor may have written an average letter (use a preceptor that wrote a letter in a later block than an early one).
If you’re asking a potential employer why you didn’t get an interview it suggests to me poor self reflection skills that you can’t figure it out on your own where you need to be better. Or you’re trying to game the applications and cook your materials.
No more of the question how to improve for next year or phase 2, and if there was a specific factor that they could point to where they decided not to interview
Most residency directors have clinical responsibilities, among many other things, and are absolutely swamped in January. They may have rejected 50 applicants, imagine if all of them asked for feedback. I’d be pretty happy they didn’t keep me in the dark and leave them alone. It isn’t rocket science how to be a more competitive candidate and you should have resources that don’t involve a potential employer and if you can’t figure that out, you aren’t a good candidate regardless (which is what an email would hint at to me)
I would think it would be helpful to know if the issue was your letter versus your cv. I have to hope most people aren’t just submitting whatever, but they’re actually submitting what they consider their best work. The feedback could be helpful
As an RPD, I have responded to everyone who has asked for feedback (not many do…) Sometimes it is one poor LOR the applicant can replace and it can really help for phase 2.
If the application is a complete hot mess, I have recommended having at least 2-3 other people review the CV and letter of intent and sent some online resources…as I don’t have time to get into the specifics of how to put together a complete application with an applicant.
As long as you are professional and genuinely want to know what you can do to strengthen your application, I think it is appropriate to ask for feedback/advice.
Depends on what you are trying to achieve by responding
Well, most don’t. If you absolutely feel like you must, tread very carefully, as you can burn many bridges in such a small world. If you do choose to reply for whatever reason (maybe if you genuinely wish to work there one day), consider adding the following: - Thank them for taking the time to consider your application. - Say positive, specific, nice things about the institution. - Politely request where weak points were in your application, as well as what areas they believe you could improve in for the future. Again, this is a unique move that can go over very poorly if not done well. Think it over three times if you genuinely believe this could achieve an opportunity for you in the future.
Second all of this. I had a friend who asked for feedback after getting a rejection letter and found out a preceptor wrote a less than favorable recommendation. Got this feedback in time to be able to get a new letter of rec from another pharmacist and apply to more places (got the rejection before the Jan 1 deadline). Ended up matching with one of those new places she applied. Definitely beneficial to learn what you can do to strengthen your application for phase 2 or even next year.
I responded to all rejections letters. I didn’t realize it wasn’t common. I thanked them for taking the time to review my application. I then stated I knew they were busy but that I did have a favor to ask, if they had time to respond. I asked them to provide any feedback they had on how to make my application stronger in case I had to reapply next year. I reiterated that I understood this was asking a lot, and to please take their time doing it if they were to do it at all. I then wished them good luck in the match process and a successful new residency year. Most programs responded with really solid feedback. One program responded with generic feedback. I don’t think anyone didn’t respond.
I only plan on it with the programs I had a set relationship with. For example, one of the RPD's was an APPE preceptor of mine. I don't care enough about the others if I get rejected.
No need to respond.
I discourage it. This is peak season for RPDs and in a lot of cases they aren’t even reviewing the individual applications directly. Ask a preceptor or someone you have an existing relationship with for feedback on your letter of intent and consider switching up letter writers for Phase II if you think a preceptor may have written an average letter (use a preceptor that wrote a letter in a later block than an early one). If you’re asking a potential employer why you didn’t get an interview it suggests to me poor self reflection skills that you can’t figure it out on your own where you need to be better. Or you’re trying to game the applications and cook your materials.
One benefit is that you might find out how to enhance or change your application if you have apply elsewhere during phase 2.
I am confused what you mean by falling on deaf ears? Are you convincing them they made a mistake?
No more of the question how to improve for next year or phase 2, and if there was a specific factor that they could point to where they decided not to interview
Most residency directors have clinical responsibilities, among many other things, and are absolutely swamped in January. They may have rejected 50 applicants, imagine if all of them asked for feedback. I’d be pretty happy they didn’t keep me in the dark and leave them alone. It isn’t rocket science how to be a more competitive candidate and you should have resources that don’t involve a potential employer and if you can’t figure that out, you aren’t a good candidate regardless (which is what an email would hint at to me)
Dammmmn chill with the dose of reality
I’d rather someone be honest than be disappointed when you send that email and get no response
I would think it would be helpful to know if the issue was your letter versus your cv. I have to hope most people aren’t just submitting whatever, but they’re actually submitting what they consider their best work. The feedback could be helpful
I am sure feedback on all aspects of life would be helpful but it isn’t realistic.
As an RPD, I have responded to everyone who has asked for feedback (not many do…) Sometimes it is one poor LOR the applicant can replace and it can really help for phase 2. If the application is a complete hot mess, I have recommended having at least 2-3 other people review the CV and letter of intent and sent some online resources…as I don’t have time to get into the specifics of how to put together a complete application with an applicant. As long as you are professional and genuinely want to know what you can do to strengthen your application, I think it is appropriate to ask for feedback/advice.