I was wondering what anyone thought about how to simply remind a program (via email or phone) that your interested as you may not be ranking them #1 but rather 2 or 3 and want to increase your chances of being ranked highly by them.

no, do not tell a program that you are planning on ranking them #2 or #3. it's like telling them they are the second/ third choice of date for the prom. nobody wants to hear that. "i plan on ranking your program (very) highly" will do.

I was wondering what anyone thought about how to simply remind a program (via email or phone) that your interested as you may not be ranking them #1 but rather 2 or 3 and want to increase your chances of being ranked highly by them.