Pavitra Ravishankar

@drpillado @BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn Absolutely! Practice that pitch with people you trust so they give you feedback you trust

@BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn Yes! And also have your elevator pitch on lock! You know it’s coming “so tell me about yourself.” #SVStweetchat

Q2: How does a trainee standout in today's virtual interview? #SVSTweetChat #vascsurg @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn

@VascularSVS 3/ Don't forget to have your mentors use their connections to put for you. The programs I ranked highly, I asked my mentors to reach out to because I knew I liked them

Question from the audience! What is something you regrettably didn't take advantage of during the interview season that you think is important for applicants to know or do? #SVSTweetChat #vascsurg

@LoupesLoveMD @BillBeckerman @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @FutureVascSurgn Also asking other vascular applicants about a program is a great way to assess. I loved SLU from my first interview but I asked around a lot to see if my first impressions matched up to what other people thought and that helped me make my decision

@BillBeckerman @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @FutureVascSurgn For sure Sub-Is or even ask others that have done Sub-Is at a certain place. #SVSTweetChat

Q1: In the age of virtual interviews - how does a trainee sense if a program's culture will be a good fit? #SVSTweetChat #vascsurg @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn

@drpillado @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn 100% agree. National conferences are your time to get to make connections and see other programs

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn /2 Local and national societies have tons of opportunities for trainees. Also, ask your colleagues across the country! They may know better opportunities for you. For Med students, ask your vascular surgery attendings what is the best step to explore the specialty.

Final question of the evening! Q4: How do students/trainees stay/become involved with the vascular surgery community once they've decided to become a vascular surgeon? @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn Your home rotations are your time to build your strongest letters. Remember that your mentors are going to be your biggest advocates

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn 1/ Remember that your mentors can only advocate for you if they know you. Ask them if they have research you can join in on, go to conference every week

@LoupesLoveMD @BavareMd @VascularSVS @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @FutureVascSurgn @AlanLumsdenMD 100%! Your mentors are your best advocates, ask them to talk to programs on your behalf

@BavareMd @VascularSVS @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @FutureVascSurgn @AlanLumsdenMD Agree!!

Q3: After an interview, what's the best way for a trainee to communicate their interest in a program? #SVSTweetChat #vascsurg @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn

@BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn @UWVascsurg I sent a thank you to all the program directors I interviewed with and I personally responded to any communication I received from PDs. I also thought it was a great way to tell attendings what I liked about their program

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn 1/ On post-interview communication: I air on the side of always sending a thank you (email) to at least the program director. The effort does not go unnoticed. I loved @UWVascsurg so I emailed everyone I emailed with! #SVSTweetChat @FutureVascSurgn

@LoupesLoveMD @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @FutureVascSurgn I agree. Never tell more than one program they're your number one. Remember that all PDs talk to each other so it's important to be honest with programs

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @FutureVascSurgn If you really like the program that is great but I would wait until your interviews are done before you reach out to your top couple and have your mentors reach out on your behalf. Remember never ever tell 2 programs you are ranking them #1. Programs talk. You don’t want that rep

@VascularSVS /2 this is also your chance to meet other applicants in a way you won't get to during virtual interviews. I regret not being able to do that during my application season due to Covid

@VascularSVS /1 I don't think I realized how important going to vascular meetings was when I was a med student. This is your chance to meet people in person and really learn about other programs

@LoupesLoveMD @BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @drpillado @FutureVascSurgn If you can keep your family and friends entertained with your elevator spiel, you can keep the attention of anyone your interviewing with! I made my friends my practice audience several times just to rehearse my answers

@BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @FutureVascSurgn For sure, concise answers and practice! You can practice with your friends and family and it will make the day of less nerve wracking if you have thought about your opinions and how you will answer questions! #SVSTweetChat

@drpillado @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn /2 there were things about my zoom background and hobbies I got asked about all the time which worked as great conversation starters too

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn /2 Applicants that stand out are those that displayed their unique traits (we all have them) and that makes you memorable. Remember you are trying to find a group you will be with for 5-7 years. Choose wisely :)

@drpillado @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn Absolutely! Remember that you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you.

@BillBeckerman @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn Absolutely. I remember being so nervous for my first couple interviews but I realized pretty quick that most people were just searching for someone they got along with.

@PRavishankar312 @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn What we say all the time and folks still have a hard time believing: if you’re invited to interview, we don’t have any concern that you’ll be a great resident and great vascular surgeon. Interview is to find where you’ll thrive personally and professionally.

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn /2 Your application and stats got you the interview. But at interview stage, you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn /1 I thinks it's important to realize that trainees and attendings when interviewing you are looking first and foremost for fit

@LoupesLoveMD @VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @FutureVascSurgn @HawkeyeBJP @AWBeckMD @UABVascular Absolutely! If the attendings at a program are comfortable letting the residents talk to you without an attending presence, that on its own says a lot!

@VascularSVS @BavareMd @BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @FutureVascSurgn I think one way to gauge a programs culture from a virtual interview is if there is time to chat with trainees and get a sense of the environment of a program. Also sensing how the faculty/trainees interact. #SVSTweetChat @HawkeyeBJP @AWBeckMD @UABVascular

@BillBeckerman @BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @drpillado @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn @VESurgery I think the most valuable thing I took away was the unfiltered view of the program from the residents. I really took into account their opinions on how the program responded to their concerns

@BlakeEMurphy @VascularSVS @BavareMd @drpillado @PRavishankar312 @LoupesLoveMD @FutureVascSurgn @VESurgery I am curious what people think about open houses. IMO, always seemed like a one way flow of information - tougher to connect and talk one on one vs in-person residency fairs. Can be overwhelming when dozens of 0+5s have them. We deferred this year but willing to change my mind.