can you inform a program that you will rank them number one?

[thedman]

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or is that a violation?

 

[turkleton]

You have every right to tell them that you will rank them #1 or that you wouldn't rank them if they were the last residency program on earth, mars, or the sun... incidentally if you do the latter, make sure you post your letter.

 

[mmed]

You have every right to tell them that you will rank them #1 or that you wouldn't rank them if they were the last residency program on earth, mars, or the sun... incidentally if you do the latter, make sure you post your letter.

Not violation. Just let them know!

 

[mlw03]

you can volunteer whatever information you choose to, as can a program. however neither you nor them can solicit such information. also realize that promises are just words and are not binding.

 

[Benbin]

Better not tell program your ROL. It violation I think. Visit NRMP website for more info. Good luck.

 

[OBGYN07]

My understanding is that you can tell programs whatever you'd like, they just can't tell you THEIR ROL.

 

[Entei]

My understanding is that you can tell programs whatever you'd like, they just can't tell you THEIR ROL.

Actually, they can tell you. You just can't believe them.

 

[TUCOMSam]

Actually, they can tell you. You just can't believe them.

LOL! That sums it up I think! 😉

Programs can OFFER any info the want, just as applicants can OFFER any info THEY want. The violation occurs upon SOLICITATION of info regarding ROL's. I would suggest a hand-written note, however, not an email.

 

[flashgordon]

Quick q:

What's wrong with emailing the PD? Snail mail can get lost and there's no confirmation whether they recieved it.

Thoughts?

 

[CaliOBGynee]

I sent an email to a program director and got a reply back the next day. I talked to many residents who recommended it that way. I think it's faster and they're more likely to send a confirmation that they got your message by email.

 

[ivers]

You can tell a program how you are ranking them, though the NRMP recommends not giving a specific number ranking, but rather leave it at expressing your high level of interest. (That being said, when I went through the match I did tell my #1 program that I was ranking them #1, and there were no adverse effects from this 🙂 ). A program should NOT ask you how you are ranking them, nor should you ask them how you are being ranked.

from http://www.nrmp.org/about_nrmp/how.html

There is one cardinal rule for both programs and applicants: neither must ask the other prior to the Match to make a commitment as to how each will be ranked. Each party may express a high level of interest in the other; however, references to how each will rank the other should be avoided and should definitely not be solicited. Neither programs nor applicants should consider these comments about interest as commitments. Candor and honesty are important for both programs and applicants.

Nowadays e-mail seems to be a perfectly acceptable way of communicating with a program director. I recommend saving a copy of any e-mails you send for future reference.

 

[mlw03]

I sent an email to a program director and got a reply back the next day. I talked to many residents who recommended it that way. I think it's faster and they're more likely to send a confirmation that they got your message by email.

if you use outlook you can request a 'read receipt' for important emails. the recipient has the choice of giving you that receipt or not, but it's just a way to make sure the message gets through in case the recipient chooses not to respond right away (or at all). if anyone has Qs about how to do this in outlook PM me and i'll be glad to walk ya through it.

 

[Canadian Bacon]

I know its perfectly OK to tell your top program that you'll be ranking them #1...but do u guys think its OK to tell your second choice program that you'll be ranking them #2 (or should you tell them I'll rank you #1 as well)

I was just thinking if you tell a program you'll rank them #2 or lower, they might rank you lower as well on their ROL

 

[07match]

it's my understanding that telling #2 and #3 that they are #1 is looked at very poorly, and could easily bite you in the as* later, as PD's talk amongst themselves, etc.

i've been planning on sending letters to 2 and 3 stating that they are at the top of my list, sans numbers.

 

[sgc5]

re: my understanding that telling #2 and #3 that they are #1 is looked at very poorly, and could easily bite you in the as* later, as PD's talk amongst themselves, etc.



I did just this. I told program A that they were #1, then changed my mind and told program B (previously #2) that they were my #1 as well. Now they both have letters saying they will be #1. Honest mistake, I guess it would look worse to write back and say, "opps I mean you are #2" I should have thought about possible consequences. How many of these a** bitings have you heard about?

 

[mmed]

Do you think if a program ranks you last or even did not include you in the list? And suddenly received a letter from you that you ranked them first, they will move you up in the list or rank you first!! If so, why programs order garbage cans? I think, all these letters will go there after reading first line if not before that. You apply for residency mostly once, but most residency programs doing this long time ago and dealing with this crab on regular basis.

 

[sophiejane]

re: my understanding that telling #2 and #3 that they are #1 is looked at very poorly, and could easily bite you in the as* later, as PD's talk amongst themselves, etc.



I did just this. I told program A that they were #1, then changed my mind and told program B (previously #2) that they were my #1 as well. Now they both have letters saying they will be #1. Honest mistake, I guess it would look worse to write back and say, "opps I mean you are #2" I should have thought about possible consequences. How many of these a** bitings have you heard about?

They have to know that people change their minds. I wrote a letter to my former #1 with pretty strong statements about ranking them highly, etc...but I never said anything about them being #1. They knew I still had interviews, and they knew I was spending a month at another program I was looking at. Since then, I've decided they are my #2. I don't feel like I have to write them and tell them, since I never mentioned them being #1 speficially.

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. Now, telling 2 programs at this point that they are both #1 in order to gain higher ranking on both lists is dishonest, but if it is an honest decision that has evolved over time, it's your perogative to be able to change your mind....right up to midnight on the ROL deadline.

Don't let people freak you out. There are a lot of mind games going on about right now...just don't be a part of it.

 

[lateness]

re: my understanding that telling #2 and #3 that they are #1 is looked at very poorly, and could easily bite you in the as* later, as PD's talk amongst themselves, etc.



I did just this. I told program A that they were #1, then changed my mind and told program B (previously #2) that they were my #1 as well. Now they both have letters saying they will be #1. Honest mistake, I guess it would look worse to write back and say, "opps I mean you are #2" I should have thought about possible consequences. How many of these a** bitings have you heard about?

i wouldn't worry. people change their mind all the time. at one point one could have been ur number 1 in ur mind, then later on after some time, u learn something new about the program, or some unforeseen reason comes up and you want to change your rankings, i am sure this happens all the time..

 

[Chinnychin]

How many people do you think actually do this-SDN is always over represented with everything but what do you guys think? How many people send these-you are my number one/high on rank list emails/notes?? They start to not mean anything when everyone sends one but I have no way to gauge that.

 

[appleberry]

i sent emails to programs indicating my interest and i got emails back from PD's the next day. But they are very vague emails, just saying thanks for the email and thanks for your interest. is that typical? i guess i was expecting something like you're ranked to match or some sort

 

[uclabruins47]

How many people do you think actually do this-SDN is always over represented with everything but what do you guys think? How many people send these-you are my number one/high on rank list emails/notes?? They start to not mean anything when everyone sends one but I have no way to gauge that.

think about it this way. sure, if everyone sends it, then it doesnt mean much. BUT, if most people send it and you dont, don't you think it will mean something? something to think about

 

[toothless rufus]

I would think that they expect every applicant to state that they rank every program highly, and therefore discount all of them. Unless they also rank the applicant highly.

 

[eagerguy]

Dont give them a chance.

I guess we cannot tell them where they stand in our ROL, and even though u say #1 they either wont believe or dont care. But definitely express high level of interest and I guess, say something different than " I am ranking you high, I am ranking you #1." cuz they are tired of those words. And, do it before first week of Feb., cuz almost all the programs will prepare their ROL before(that is what I think, might be wrong).

This is a dirty game where the program will never be committed and still they want your committment. And if you are committed, they will be diplomatic and say that they are happy to hear that and they havent decided about their ROL. Or, even if they say that they are going to rank you high, WILL YOU BELIEVE ????

So finally I would say, this is like race for weapons, you dont wanna do that, u know it is useless and even though u will be doing that because your neighbour is doing that. Just to be safe, play the dirty game.

 

[sophiejane]

think about it this way. sure, if everyone sends it, then it doesnt mean much. BUT, if most people send it and you dont, don't you think it will mean something? something to think about

exactly.

 

[chafemeister]

Do some programs never respond to letters/emails? I wrote my #1 and 2 that I had ranked them very highly and to thank them. Have received no reply... am hoping that they simply do not reply to emails from applicants.
What do you think? Should I call?

 

[dynx]

Do some programs never respond to letters/emails? I wrote my #1 and 2 that I had ranked them very highly and to thank them. Have received no reply... am hoping that they simply do not reply to emails from applicants.
What do you think? Should I call?

Don't call. They got the email if they want to respond they will. At one program I went to the PD started making fun of people that kept sending emails and calling to express interest. It apparently gets sad.

 

[hawaiigirl]

re: my understanding that telling #2 and #3 that they are #1 is looked at very poorly, and could easily bite you in the as* later, as PD's talk amongst themselves, etc.



I did just this. I told program A that they were #1, then changed my mind and told program B (previously #2) that they were my #1 as well. Now they both have letters saying they will be #1. Honest mistake, I guess it would look worse to write back and say, "opps I mean you are #2" I should have thought about possible consequences. How many of these a** bitings have you heard about?

I wrote in one of my thank you cards that I would "likely" rank a program #1 on my list. I later changed my mind, and felt really bad about it. So I wrote them an email saying that I was still highly interested, but wouldn't be ranking them #1. I got this email in reply:

<<Thanks for your candor. I must say that most people would not have
bothered to be so honest. In return, I can honestly say that you will
be very high on our list.>>

I guess this is a best case scenario. And I really do love their program. So... um, I guess honesty is the best policy?