This is my first post.
I know this topic has been discussed before (sort of--mods please delete if I didn't search hard enough for a past thread) but I'm wondering what people think of the email I received the other day...
I got an email from the program director of a program with which I have very strong ties (did not rotate or go to school there, but suffice to say I'm strongly connected). He basically said, "After meeting with our committee, we have ranked you in our top 13. Seeing as how we only have 13 spots, if you rank us #1, you will definitely match with us."
So a few things come to mind here:
1) This appears to be a flagrant match violation, and he put it in writing no less.
2) That not withstanding, this is a program I'd love to match at, but it is not my #1 choice. It's my #3 tops. So yeah, I have no idea how to respond. It puts me in an awkward spot. I don't want to say anything to jeopardize my potential top 13 ranking. But I don't want to lie and say I'm ranking them #1 either. How should I respond?
3) How much should I trust it? It seems like everyone has a story of being getting a handshake and being told "Rank us highly! We'd love to have you!" This email seems different though. It is a concrete, black and white statement. I don't know of anyone who's received something like this in writing before. Anyone?
4) In my understanding of how the match algorithm works, it makes no difference whether I rank this program #1 or #100. If I want to rank "reach" programs ahead of it, I can and I won't be penalized for it. So if this PD is being honest (a big assumption, I know), I have essentially been guaranteed a match, regardless of where I rank his program. Hell, I could rank them dead last and I'll still be sure to match there (assuming I don't match at a program ranked higher on my list). So if he's being honest, shouldn't I be celebrating now? Doesn't it mean I've essentially matched?
Thanks for your input.
I know this topic has been discussed before (sort of--mods please delete if I didn't search hard enough for a past thread) but I'm wondering what people think of the email I received the other day...
I got an email from the program director of a program with which I have very strong ties (did not rotate or go to school there, but suffice to say I'm strongly connected). He basically said, "After meeting with our committee, we have ranked you in our top 13. Seeing as how we only have 13 spots, if you rank us #1, you will definitely match with us."
So a few things come to mind here:
1) This appears to be a flagrant match violation, and he put it in writing no less.
2) That not withstanding, this is a program I'd love to match at, but it is not my #1 choice. It's my #3 tops. So yeah, I have no idea how to respond. It puts me in an awkward spot. I don't want to say anything to jeopardize my potential top 13 ranking. But I don't want to lie and say I'm ranking them #1 either. How should I respond?
3) How much should I trust it? It seems like everyone has a story of being getting a handshake and being told "Rank us highly! We'd love to have you!" This email seems different though. It is a concrete, black and white statement. I don't know of anyone who's received something like this in writing before. Anyone?
4) In my understanding of how the match algorithm works, it makes no difference whether I rank this program #1 or #100. If I want to rank "reach" programs ahead of it, I can and I won't be penalized for it. So if this PD is being honest (a big assumption, I know), I have essentially been guaranteed a match, regardless of where I rank his program. Hell, I could rank them dead last and I'll still be sure to match there (assuming I don't match at a program ranked higher on my list). So if he's being honest, shouldn't I be celebrating now? Doesn't it mean I've essentially matched?
Thanks for your input.
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