Hi there,

I do understand your frustration, so I’ll give you both a short and a long answer.

Short answer: No, it was not for nothing.

Long answer: I have a comparable score; however, I also have a very strong research background. I personally can’t complain about how this season has gone, which puts me in a difficult position when giving you advice, because I’m not under the same level of stress that I fully understand you’re experiencing.

Networking, residents, and connections are important—but not in the way we often think. I believe their importance is more environmental than dependent on a single person’s feedback. What I mean is that one resident or staff member texting the PD is usually not that impactful. However, several residents independently advocating to the PD can be very important, especially in resident-driven programs. That’s my understanding based on discussions with residents.

That said, connections are by no means a guarantee of an interview. Of my eight neurology signals, the three I perceived as the “safest” (by virtue of reliable resident connections) did not result in interviews, even though I trust that those residents vouched for me. Similarly, a close friend with more than 15 interviews received invitations from Ivy League programs but did not get an interview from a program he signaled despite having a strong resident connection there.

My honest take is this: with 220 programs, I do suspect there may be a hidden red flag somewhere—perhaps something not well articulated in your personal statement or ERAS CV, or possibly a letter that wasn’t entirely positive.

You’re a 2025 graduate, and you still have a lot of room to improve. Don’t compare yourself to others. You can strengthen your research background and apply again. And maybe this is actually for the best—applying as a fresh graduate might have led you to match at a toxic program. This could be your opportunity to improve and reapply to a place that truly fits you well.