Med school and beyond: interviews and travel
Interview offers arrive fast and fill faster. The applicants who do well have their alerts on, their setup tested and their travel planned before the first email lands.
Letters and application
Letters requested early, uploaded by writers, all showing Uploaded before you submit on opening day.
Offers and fast acceptance
Scheduling systems release interview slots in batches that fill within minutes. Turn on push alerts and email forwarding, and set up a quiet virtual studio: wired internet, camera at eye level, soft light, an external microphone, a backup hotspot.
Travel
Arrive the day before, 18 to 24 hours ahead of an in-person interview. For centralised events such as CRIP, book the host hotel months early. Keep a card or fund for last-minute rebooking.
After the interview and rank lists
Follow each program's communication policy; where allowed, a short thank-you within two days. Use optional second looks to judge the city and the culture before you certify your rank order list.
Offers
Virtual studio
Travel
Money
| Profession | Season | Format | Scheduled through | Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral physicians and surgeons | ||||
MD | October to February | Virtual MMI, panel or traditional; optional in-person second looks | Thalamus, Interview Broker, ERAS | Little travel for virtual interviews; budget for optional second looks in January and February. |
DO | October to February | Virtual MMI, panel or traditional; optional second looks | Thalamus, Interview Broker, ERAS | Little travel for virtual interviews; budget for optional second looks. |
MD-PhD | November to January | Clinical interviews plus research meetings with prospective PIs; multi-day | Thalamus, Department portals | Programs frequently cover or reimburse airfare and lodging for final visits. |
DPM | January | Back-to-back 15 to 20 minute interviews with many programs over three days at CRIP | CASPR | One trip to the host hotel; book months ahead so you stay on site between interviews. |
OD | November to February | In-person campus visit or virtual panel or MMI | ORMatch, Program email | Individual trips to optometry colleges and VA health centres. |
| Doctoral dental and pharmacy | ||||
DMD / DDS | September to February | In-person campus visit with clinical or bench evaluation and faculty panel | ADEA PASS, Program portals | Individual trips for site visits and dexterity tests. |
PharmD | December to February | Virtual or hybrid, with a 10 to 15 minute clinical case or journal club presentation | PhORCAS, Program email | Regional travel or virtual attendance. |
| Advanced practice and allied health | ||||
PA-C | Rolling, November to April | In-person panel and shadowing | Program portals, CASPA | Individual trips to hospital campuses. |
DPT | November to February | In-person practical exam and group discussion | RF-PTCAS, Program email | Regional trips for clinical site evaluations. |
Doctoral physicians and surgeons
Doctoral dental and pharmacy
Advanced practice and allied health
Scheduling systems and post-interview rules are set by each match and each program. Read the program's own interview page before you write to anyone.
MedStride is not affiliated with these organizations. Dates, portals and requirements change by cycle; the official page wins over anything written here.
Inside medical school
The four years, the doctoring course, standardized patients and how rotations run.
Exams and licensing
USMLE, COMLEX, MCCQE and NAC, the US and Canadian routes, and a study plan for each exam.
Residency and match
Which tracks require it, how each match runs, and the months that matter.
Letters
The three-plus rule, who signs for each track, and how letters reach the portal.
Match Day videos
Real ceremonies from medical schools: see the day students learn where they will train.
Fellowships
Optional subspecialty years after residency, by track.