Come as you are.

Seven down, two to go. A total of nine round-trip flights to determine where I will be training for the next 3 to 6 years of my life. No big deal.

Now that I can navigate the interview process with my eyes closed, there are a few idiosyncrasies I have observed along the way. Aside from the obvious shared characteristics in the applicants (firm handshakes, pressed collars, pearls), there are definitely categories that each applicant fits in to and it is rather easy to tune in to that at the beginning of the interview day. So I've listed a few of my favorites. And just like an in-law or that distant cousin that you only see on holidays after he's had too many glasses of wine...you have to appreciate them for who they are, separately and collectively.

The Mute: He/she rarely speaks unless spoken to, and even then provides only one-word answers. You are tempted to flick them in the forehead simply to see if you can get a meaningful peep out of them.

The Texter: He/she attempts to discretely text message under the table while the program director, resident coordinator, chief resident, etc. debriefs the group about the day's events. Everyone else is paying attention, jackass. Your significant other/mom can wait to get the play-by-play.

Mr. Flashy Tie: Yes, we are going into pediatrics and yes, kids like playful ties. But if your neck wear is so distracting that I can't take my eyes off your Adam's Apple, it's time to trade in Snoopy/Garfield/glittery cats for a single, solid color. Tie bling is a privilege, not a right.

The Talker: She (it's usually a she) doesn't know when to lock it up and inevitably reveals far too much about herself, her dating history, and her drunken follies. Inappropriate topics include, but are not limited to, Halloween costumes, alcohol-induced lapses in memory, and stories about naked patients. She also tends to laugh at her own jokes and continues to laugh well after her audience is over it.

The Copious Note Taker: She (it's usually a she) tends to copy each PowerPoint slide verbatim, although the same information has been provided in our neat little folders. She later refers to aforementioned notes to ask her 582,701 questions.

The Excessive Nodder: He/she is just a little too enthusiastic for his or her own good. Every time you look over they are nodding in agreement to some non important fact, such as what time we are eating lunch or the location of the parking garages.

The Greeter: He/she says hello to everyone, from the cafeteria server to the random unfortunates who are squeezed into the elevator with us. Why? Because friendliness is next to godliness and in the hospital you never know who might have a say in whether or not you're kicked off the island.

The Pro: He (it's usually a he) was born for interview season. He refers to it only as "The Trail" and presents anyone who will listen with his detailed, unsolicited opinion of every program you have interviewed with (and some you haven't). He's the used car salesman of his medical school class, but it works for him.

Call me overly observant...I certainly don't mean to be judgmental. I'm sure I fit into one category or another as well, and that is what makes the interview season go round. We (the applicants) are puzzle pieces who are all shaped slightly different but will ultimately fit together to make a resident class. Quirks, faults, habits and all.