Anyone else going nuts about their rank list?

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heck yeah...I cant decide between my top 4 choices!
 
two approaches:
1. make a list of the things you want in a residency program. for the stuff that is super important to you score each program with a number 20 to 1. for the less important stuff 10 to 1. rank programs in the order of the score they got.
2. forget all that stuff and go with your gut
or try making your list each way and see how close they are....
 
I just want to be a run of the mill anesthesiologist.

I tried the damn number system as I was doing interviews... it doesn't help!!!

All that is important to me is that I am trained well and can get a job in a desirable location (LA, SF, NYC, Chicago, etc.).

So really I think I am just going to rank based on location and factors outside of the program. Unless the program was horribly malignant or had serioius issues then that is weighing some down lower.
 
two approaches:
2. forget all that stuff and go with your gut

Keep in mind what your long-term career objectives are, including where you want to settle down. Then, I agree, go with your heart. Its easier to dismiss matters of the head (i.e., all the theoretical reasons why one program is better than another) than it is to dismiss matters of the heart. Residency is 4 long years, and I think its harder to be happy if, on some visceral level, you thought you'd be comfortable elsewhere.

Also, if you are juggling between 5 different programs, then perhaps there just isn't a clear winner, and you might be equally happy with any of them. Whatever happens, don't second guess yourself.

Good luck!!
 
I change mine 5 times a day.

Is there like a rank list counseling service somewhere? I need to move on with my life!

yeah. see the "have you certified your rank list" thread. since I started that thread a week or so ago, I am still having a rough time at it. I am about ready to throw the towel in. I am giving myself this weekend as the last time to officially hash it out and certify. after that, NO MORE CHANGES. I will be in the ICU, so hopefully that will distract me.
 
Hey I've been going crazy too, but rotations and wedding planning are great distractors. I am practicing every bit of restraint not to log on and change everything! 🙂
My list is shorter than I had planned since I realized there are certain places in this country I cannot live, and certain programs I just don't fit....period.
I hope it works out. Good luck to everyone and try not to stress out! That's what I'm working on.
 
Certified 4 days ago and don't plan on changing a thing.....

Honestly, I think a lot of people are thinking about this WAY too much. I'll almost guarantee that every one of you found a program that is just a little bit better than all of the others....just something about it made you feel comfortable (whatever the reason: residents, location, program, etc). If so, rank it #1. IMHO, thinking too hard about programs = convincing yourself that x is better than y although you know deep down y is where you want to be.
 
So really I think I am just going to rank based on location and factors outside of the program.

1) Big "factor outside of the program" = significant other's thoughts on the matter
.
2) I agree with your sentiments - as similar as many of the programs are, the location is often the largest variable. Hence, my list is pretty much based on where I want to end up geographically more than it is where I thought the "very best" programs I interviewed at were.

Off-subject thought:
Would anybody post on a thread where we shared our Top 5 choices? I'm interested to see what other people thought... Maybe that should wait until after Feb 25th? 🙄
 
Would anybody post on a thread where we shared our Top 5 choices? I'm interested to see what other people thought... Maybe that should wait until after Feb 25th? 🙄

People usually share their match lists on this forum after match lists are final, with a good level of participation. I imagine this year will be the same.

I'm in.
 
Certified 4 days ago and don't plan on changing a thing.....

Honestly, I think a lot of people are thinking about this WAY too much. I'll almost guarantee that every one of you found a program that is just a little bit better than all of the others....just something about it made you feel comfortable (whatever the reason: residents, location, program, etc). If so, rank it #1. IMHO, thinking too hard about programs = convincing yourself that x is better than y although you know deep down y is where you want to be.

The problem isn't choosing your #1 or #2. The problem is carefully ranking numbers 3-whatever. The ones that only have subtle differences between them, except for location.
 
The problem isn't choosing your #1 or #2. The problem is carefully ranking numbers 3-whatever. The ones that only have subtle differences between them, except for location.

Totally true. I have my 1, 2, 3 set as well as the bottom of my list. It's those in betweens that make me shurg and sigh.
 
That's what I was struggling over, the ones in the middle. First I had to be honest about the best places for my significant other and I to live and save money for #2 & 3, then after that lots of places just blended into each other. It seems towards the middle of the list I picked based on what the program offered vs. location. I'm satisfied with the list now and don't anticipate changing much.
 
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