It seems like it's a generally considered a good idea to send a letter of interest to the PD of your first choice program that explicitly states your interest (which I sent last week).

But what do people think about sending correspondance to your 2nd and 3rd choices expressing why you're interested but never saying the words "first choice". I've already sent thank you notes to these programs saying I loved their programs for reasons x, y and z and will be ranking them highly. Is it worth writing a note to the PD just to keep your name on their radar screens? Or is this simply another manifestation of the panic setting in I'm pondering my ROL and imagining not matching in my top 5.


ej

There's always using ambiguous language like stating that "your program will be at the top of my rank list". Now that I think about it, that's actually what I wrote to my no. 1 choice. I hope that they don't interpret that as ambiguous, it's just that I don't think that it's right for you to be expected to spell out where you are going to be ranking a program. It's against match rules for them to even suggest that you do so. I guess that programs are used to applicants playing their little games, but I wouldn't blatantly lie to a program by stating that you plan to rank them number one and not doing so. You could run into trouble later on when you apply for fellowships at the same institution and the PD remembers your name when he or she sees it come up for fellowship application time. I know that it's a stretch, but academic medicine is a small world, no need to get on anyone's bad side.

Maybe my original post wasn't clear...

My question is: If you interviewed at your #2 or #3 program 6 weeks ago, is it worth sending a note reiterating your interest in the program without saying "you are my #1 choice". Basically an "I really like you" email/letter rather than the "I LOVE you" letter sent to the #1 choice program.

Obviously it's incredibly stupid to tell more than one program that you will be ranking them #1.

I would do so. I did so for my top 3 choices just in case.

I voluntarily told my top choice they are my top choice. The PD seems to remember who I am 8 weeks post interview and sent me a very nice reply... hopefully, I will actually match there. Lets see how this turns out. I really, really, want to match at my top two choices. I plan to send interest letter to my top three.