A program that didn't match me called

[tsj]

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They said they knew where I ended up and how I ranked them as it is available information to the programs after rank day.

And they did tell me where I was going! They had a bunch of questions about why I didn't rank them higher.

I wish we had access to how the programs ranked us. Out of curiosity I would like to know if I would have gotten into my second, third, fourth, etc... choices.

 

[ortho2003]

they don't know where you ranked them...they just know where you ended up and if you ranked them lower than where you matched if they dropped below you on the list. They don't get your actually rank list.

 

[MariaG]

how do they even know where you end up?

 

[tsj]

They said that information is made available to them.

 

[edfig99]

all of that information becomes available from the NRMP. PDs find out what programs and specialties people on their rank list ended up in.

Many programs will conduct some type of postmatch survey so that they know how to prepare for the next wave of recruitment. and there's nothing that says you can't ask them where they ranked you, although there is no way for you to see a program's rank list.

 

[ERMudPhud]

I've seen the post match info that the PD gets. It lists their match list in order and where those people matched. All they know is that everyone above the lowest person matched to their program ranked the place they ended up higher than their program

 

[southerndoc]

Why is it that programs find out where we matched, but we cannot find the people who matched at a program where we applied (unless they post this info on their website).

 

[ryanbeckworth]

Because the system is run by them, for their benefit. Although we get "1st choice in terms of the match," they talk amongst themselves and may well share info that they shouldn't share.

System is full of ****.

 

[dr.smurf]

i think thats total bull s****! the programs shouldnt call u up and put you in an awkward position of asking you why this and why that. if they want to mail out a survey or questionaire fine, but calling you is over the line if you ask me. i would definitely complain to the nrmp. well i guess that depends on how you felt about it. i know i wouldnt have appreciated that. not to mention we dont get any kind of information on how they ranked us so why should it be one way. we paid for it!!

 

[ortho2003]

complain to the nrmp about what? there is absolutely no rule regarding contacting someone after the match. That is how programs improve their recruitment...by finding out why people didn't choose them. The only people they no didn't rank them #1 are the people who they ranked higher than their lowest match.

You may argue that we can't contact programs and ask them why they didn't rank us higher, but that is not the case. We can contact every program and ask them...the information isn't given to us from the NRMP, but we don't have to go through this process every year....once we match, we are done.

 

[huktonfonix]

The big **** you was from my number one choice which I didn't match into which sent me one of those surveys on Match Day. You have no idea how pissed I was about that. I felt that was low class and showed very poor judgement.



"That was.......coldblooded. "

 

[kinetic]

Originally posted by ortho2003
complain to the nrmp about what? there is absolutely no rule regarding contacting someone after the match. That is how programs improve their recruitment...

I know we're all trying to walk around with the spirit of love and peace and all, but don't pretend that applicants and programs are equal.

When you apply to a program, you send them every little scrap of information about you from high school on. You had a job mowing lawns at 16? Tell me more! And we "voluntarily" divulge even more in our personal statements: let me tell you about how getting that STD at 12 motivated me to go to med school! I was raised in a crack house and my parents were gunned down when I was five! What other tear-jerker can I come up with to gain sympathy or a fresh edge on the competition?

How many programs tell you JACK about themselves? You get the company line and that's it. Here's every interview you've ever been on and ever will: "the BREADTH and DEPTH of cases here is unparalleled ...we train you to be both doctors AND compassionate human beings ...the facilities here are unparalleled and the faculty really care!" Yeah, that tells me a lot about you. That's why we're all running around like rabid chipmunks asking friends and anyone remotely connected to a program to give us "the real story". Do we get "letters of recommendation"? HA! In your dreams! You choose the wrong program based on a fifteen minute tour? T.S., say the programs!

And get a load of the gonads they have. Not only do they beat you down with a rejection, they ask you what you think of it? Give me a crowbar and five minutes alone with you and I'll show you what I think of it.

Sorry, guys, usually my posts are less juvenile that this, but don't get me started with having the wool pulled over your eyes by a program.

 

[tsj]

Well for me it was a little uncomfortable as they seemed to be very annoyed that I didn't rank them higher.

I had rotated there and they had written me an incredibly supportive LOR. Plus they "romanced" me during and after my interview. I had sent them a written letter expressing strong interest in the program and stating that I would be thrilled to match there. But NEVER did I say that I would rank them #1.
They were only #4 on my list of 11, but my top three were INcredibly competitive west coast programs, and definately not locks, so I figured I should verbalize some interest to my #4.
Now one of the residents has emailed me, wanting to know why I didn't rank them higher. I guess they had a big problem overall with a lot of their top choices going elsewhere. They're a great program, but in Chicago where there are a lot of strong programs, and, although Chicago is a great city, not a lot of people prefer Chicago over the LAs, SFs, and NYs unless you are from there or the Midwest.

 

[Apollyon]

Originally posted by tsj
Well for me it was a little uncomfortable as they seemed to be very annoyed that I didn't rank them higher...

Now one of the residents has emailed me, wanting to know why I didn't rank them higher. I guess they had a big problem overall with a lot of their top choices going elsewhere.

It's one thing to poll applicants who didn't match with your program, to mine information that can help the program next year (that's what ours did, and the results were immensely helpful). On the other hand, it's just antagonistic and useless to hassle people. Nothing is going to change, and any constructive response will be muted by the people being hounded just wanting the program to go away.

My best advice is to tell them that you ranked programs in the order that you wanted to attend them. It's not that the Chicago program was bad, but just was not the best fit. The "area under the curve" has to count for something.

(I won't make a joke about having the "least squares" at the program...)

edit: (man, medical and scientific humor is SO nerdy)