I'd like to inform my top choice program that I'll be ranking them first. Would it be more appropriate to do this over email, or is it better to send an actual written letter! Thanks.

either one would be fine. they probably print out emails and put them in your file anyway.

I'd like to inform my top choice program that I'll be ranking them first. Would it be more appropriate to do this over email, or is it better to send an actual written letter! Thanks.

As interview season wraps up, programs are starting to compile their rank lists *now*, so if you want the program to know that you are ranking them #1 before they decide where to rank you, it may be better to send an e-mail.

do you feel that letting a program know that you are ranking them #1 helps you on their rank list considerably?

I hope so...I have absolutely no idea where I stand on my top choice's rank list. So if I happen to be borderline, I hope that this might help. But then again, I'm sure PDs are jaded from applicants who have lied about this in the past, so I don't know how much of an effect this really has.

Who would be the person to email this to? the PD?

I think that really the best thing to do is to have your PD or Chair at your medical school call or email for you. That way programs know that this is only being done for ONE program. May be of limited utility at this point as many programs have had their meetings.

I think that really the best thing to do is to have your PD or Chair at your medical school call or email for you. That way programs know that this is only being done for ONE program. May be of limited utility at this point as many programs have had their meetings.

I am also considering sending a letter to my top choice. They stopped interviewing about a week ago - do you think they already had "the meeting" and made final decisions? I'm going to kick myself for not sending the letter sooner. :(

I think that really the best thing to do is to have your PD or Chair at your medical school call or email for you. That way programs know that this is only being done for ONE program. May be of limited utility at this point as many programs have had their meetings.

Only aPD can confirm or deny this, and only for their program... but for those programs that will change their RoL based on people telling them they are their #1, the PD still has overall control of the rank list and can still move you around. They probably wont submit their list for several more weeks.

So I dont think its "too late" in the game, if anything, most people finished interviewing just these past 2 weeks or so, so the only way to truly tell a #1 that they are #1 is after interview season is over-- which is now

But I would get your PD to email now rather than later.

do you feel that letting a program know that you are ranking them #1 helps you on their rank list considerably?

aProgDirector says no, and he's probably got a decent feel for the pulse of this one, but . . . you never know . . . I sent an email to my #1, but I made my case, I delineated all of my reasons, from training to social situation to area/location to "other" factors that made my case. I think if you give them your all your real reasons for ranking them as #1, it will be a little more seen as real and not an attempt to try and hedge all of your bets.

I think giving reasons is fine, but I think the only way a PD knows that you're being legit is if your own PD contacts them.

Aside from that, its probably program dependent on whether theyll change their rank list based on what people say. In a sea of similar candidates, I wouldnt be surprised for it to be a boost however, especially if you give social reasons for being in a place (considering lack of social support is a reason people drop out) but who knows.

I think giving reasons is fine, but I think the only way a PD knows that you're being legit is if your own PD contacts them.

Aside from that, its probably program dependent on whether theyll change their rank list based on what people say. In a sea of similar candidates, I wouldnt be surprised for it to be a boost however, especially if you give social reasons for being in a place (considering lack of social support is a reason people drop out) but who knows.

You have a PD at your med school? Do you mean the dean or department chair, or do you really have a med school PD? Or do you mean the PD of the IM residency at your institution? hmmm.

I assume Rasengan means the PD of the IM residency at his or her institution. That is who I will be asking to inform my #1 choice (once I decide which program that is!)

You have a PD at your med school? Do you mean the dean or department chair, or do you really have a med school PD? Or do you mean the PD of the IM residency at your institution? hmmm.

IM residency PD at my school. Though I guess in theory your med school dean could do it, though its probably better to have IM PDs talk to each other since they might know each other.

For those of you who wrote emails, any responses? I have received no return love. I was hoping for at least an aknowledgement.

3 of 4 thanked me. whatever, i'm done and moving on