I've spoken with several faculty from a few programs, and they said that match rules state that the program CANNOT contact applicants.

However, if applicants contact programs, then this opens the door for the programs to contact the applicant. The programs may contact you if you're high on their rank list.

I recommend that applicants contact their top programs so that there is the opportunity for programs to recruit and give you more information.

Good luck!

Would you suggest doing this by snail mail or email?

Would you suggest doing this by snail mail or email?

E-mail is fine and faster.

E-mail is fine and faster.


Thanks for all the advice and insight!

I recommend that applicants contact their top programs so that there is the opportunity for programs to recruit and give you more information.Good luck!

Should we come right out and tell them where we are ranking them? Thanks for all your info over the year!

Should we come right out and tell them where we are ranking them? Thanks for all your info over the year!

That's up to you. I do recommend telling the #1 program... the purpose of this is to open communications. Programs cannot contact applicants, but programs have the option of communicating with applicants after contact is made by the applicant.

What do you recommend saying to our #2 and #3 programs? Just that we are going to rank them high? Thanks.

Is it bad news if they don't reply?

What do you recommend saying to our #2 and #3 programs? Just that we are going to rank them high? Thanks.

"I am ranking your program high!" is good enough. Programs may decide not to make contact... so don't take it personally.

"I am ranking your program high!" is good enough. Programs may decide not to make contact... so don't take it personally.

I don't know if this is a good idea, but I called several of the chief residents at a few of my favorite programs just to ask a few more questions. All of them dropped hints about my rank, so did a few program secretaries. This was on the phone.

Who do we e-mail? The Program Director? The Chairman? Both?

Gracias.

Who do we e-mail? The Program Director? The Chairman? Both?

Gracias.

I recommend e-mailing the program director and head of the search committee. A nice e-mail stating that you're interested and that they are first on your rank list.

I have just sent my thank you letters to my programs with a comment to the programs I liked and told them I would rank them highly. I told my #1 program that I would rank them at the top.

Should I also send an email....or is that overkill? Thanks

Should I also send an email....or is that overkill? Thanks

Drop them an email too. ;)

Good luck!

When do programs make their rank lists? Is it too late?

I don't claim to fully understand the match algorithm, but I'd like to put this out here for discussion (correct me if I'm wrong):

If all applicants revealed their #1 choice to the respective program, then you must also assume that programs that you do not contact will not rank you as high.

Maybe I'm wrong, but wouldn't this practice place applicants at a major disadvantage, especially those who choose not to contact any programs?

Some programs make their match list immediately after the last interview day while others will wait until the last minute.

The advantage to contacting programs is that top applicants may receive more information to help them make their rank list. Also, this will alleviate anxiety when applicants have a better feeling about which programs they are certain to match. More information is always helpful because the interview day may not have given applicants enough information to make their decision.

Good luck!