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The document explains preapplication “cold calling,” including what to ask, how to use publicly available materials, and how to avoid appearing overeager or vague. 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Leader  \nMD/PhD Candidate, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY  \nIncoming Pathology resident at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (PathMatch 2022)  \nPeer reviewed by: Aastha Chauhan, MD and Oscar-Nunez Lopez, MD  \n“Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.” -Rollo May  \n“To hold a pen is to be at war” - Voltaire  \nCommunication with residency programs can be one of the most confusing and anxietyprovoking topics related to the application process. It is to the applicant’s advantage to consider the timing and type of communication they might employ to build their familiarity and relationship with a given program, both for defining the applicant’s preferences and for increasing the applicant’s visibility.  \nBefore the interview  \nWhile programs begin reviewing ERAS applications in late September, there is no reason why communication with programs must wait until the application is submitted. Furthermore, preapplication communication can be an effective way to draw attention to your application ahead of its review, increasing the likelihood of its prioritization. Such communication can take the form of “cold calling” or attendance at open houses, discussed below.  \n“Cold calling”  \n“Cold calling” refers to making unsolicited contact with programs. This can be an effective way of gaining information about a program prior to deciding whether to apply and understanding how to customize the personal statement, while also indicating an early, specific interest to the program. You should include an educated question about the program and demonstrate full use of the publicly available materials on the program website. Such emails should include your CV, as program directors often like to see such information as they get to know you. An example of a cold call email could be:  \nSubject: Residency program information  \nDear [Program director],  \nI am applying for pathology residency in the upcoming cycle. I am specifically interested in your program because [indicate why: geography, strength in a field of interest, program size or setting, relationship with current or past residents] .  \nI would like to learn more about the program and especially about the [e.g.  \ncytopathology] training, and would appreciate it if someone would be able to discuss it with me more ahead of application season. I have found the website very useful but have more questions to ask!  \nPlease find my C.V. attached for your review.  \nThank you,  \nAndrew Leader,  \nMS4, MD/PhD Candidate, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City  \nPitfalls of cold calls  \nWhile cold calls are often warmly received, writers can be at risk of seeming overeager, desperate, or vague. Avoid statements like: “Your program is already my top choice and I want to sign up now”; “I have applied to the match 3 times already, but I think now is my chance”,“Iam highly interested in your program” [without justification] . Such expressions may trigger doubts about your genuine interest or qualification and may increase the risk of having your email relegated to the trash folder.  \nOpen houses  \nOpen houses provide an opportunity for programs to distribute information publicly and efficiently about what makes their program unique. They are usually held over zoom, and consist of a short presentation followed by a question and answer session with the program director and current residents. They are held in the fall, occurring around the time that applicants are submitting to ERAS, and are often announced through the programs’ social media accounts, such as in the tweet below:  \nNote that you can also inquire about open house dates when making a cold call (see above) .  \nWhile attendance at an open house can be viewed as an indication of interest and may therefore increase the likelihood of selection for interview, the interactions with applicants are large","cbCailViQuZKxGsA","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailViQuZKxGsA","pdf",167658,8,"English","# Before the interview\n## “Cold calling”\n## Pitfalls of cold calls\n## Open houses\n# After applying, before the interview offer\n## Follow-up email strategy","[{\"question\":\"What is “cold calling” in residency program communication?\",\"answer\":\"“Cold calling” is unsolicited contact with programs. It can help applicants gather information, tailor their personal statement, and demonstrate early, specific interest.\"},{\"question\":\"What should applicants include when sending a cold call email?\",\"answer\":\"Cold call emails should contain an educated question grounded in the program’s public materials and typically include the applicant’s CV. The message should be specific about interests such as training areas.\"},{\"question\":\"How should applicants follow up with programs after applying but before receiving an interview offer?\",\"answer\":\"Applicants should send a brief email expressing continued interest, summarizing key strengths and important updates, and justifying specific program fit. The email should be sent via the MyERAS-listed contact and include a copy of the ERAS application.\"}]","Communication - Before, During, and After the Interview - Andrew Leader | PDF"]