A PM: Applicant letters of intent/interest

[DermMatch]

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From a PM:

"1. Should derm applicants send out a letter of intent to their #1 program?

"2. Should derm applicants send out a letter of interest to programs that aren't #1? i.e. "I intend to rank you highly"

"3. Or just keep quiet, rank em, and let the cards fall as they may?

"4. How did you approach this?"

Comments...

 

[cancerman51]

I did number 3, just let them fall where they would.

I ended up at a good program, but not my first choice. However, i was very clear with my first choice program that that is where i wanted to go, so a letter would not have helped.

So my experience is basically this: I was very clear to my #1 that i wanted very much to be there, but they ranked others higher anyway. I don't see any way that making my interest known to them hurt me though.

 

[DermMatch]

I sent an email to the PD of my favorite program stating that I was ranking them number 1. Unfortunately, it didn't feel the same way about me.

I didn't send any letters of interest because they are generally considered throw-away comments by desperate applicants.

After seeing the residency selection process as a resident insider, I don't believe that these letters make a difference, because ultimately programs want who they want, based on their assessment of how they'd strengthen their resident pool.

I would hazard that how badly an applicant wants a program would not affect its rank list.

 

[Long Dong]

I sent an email to the PD at my number 1 about a week before the rank list was due, telling them of my intent, my step 2 score, and that one of my subs got accepted for pub. Now as a resident I don't think it mattered much cause I know now that they made there rank list about a month before that (~ 1 week after last interview).

 

[brightoats]

So, thank you notes that filter in days to weeks after interviews don't matter either, I would assume.

I guess, could any of this HURT you?

 

[JanetteBournes]

So, thank you notes that filter in days to weeks after interviews don't matter either, I would assume.

I guess, could any of this HURT you?

I had a PD strongly encourage me to NOT send notes.

And then noted it has hurt plenty of applicants in the past. Especially one who addressed him by the wrong name in the handwritten thank you letter.