interview dinners

The interviews for DH are streaming in and its quite exciting. Some of the programs invite the candidates and spouses for dinner the night before. I currently have a very flexible schedule and I am thinking of joining him for a couple of those dinners especially the ones in California. Did any of you go to these dinners? What can I expect? Does it make a difference if I go or don't go?

I didn't attend any dinners for residency interviews, but I did when my husband interviewed for a post residency job. His interview for his current job consisted of 3 days of lunches/dinners with the partners in the group and their spouses. I attended each meeting and I'm glad I did. His group really wanted to make sure I was just as happy with my husband's career choice as he was. I guess one partner left the group because his wife was unhappy. I felt like the group interviewed me just as much as (if not more than) they did DH! I guess they knew he was qualified by what was on his CV, so they just needed to make sure our family was a good fit. They even included me on the tour of the hospital and in the one-on-one interview with the founder of the group!

I'd say go to as many dinners as you can! At the least, it'll help you to feel more confident about whatever choices you make.

[SuzySunshine]

I wasn't able to attend the dinners and at our current program spouses aren't invited but not because they're hiding us there just isn't space. The attendings wives aren't invited either. I don't think it would hurt your chances at all and I agree that it's a great way to see what other spouses have to say. If you can't go to the dinners and want to know about a spouses view of the program it doesn't hurt to ask or have your spouse ask for a spouse for you to speak to. I did this with 4 or 5 of my husband's top choices and it helped me a lot.

Good luck - this is an exciting but stressful time!