Can't rank the top 3 to save my life...

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Doctor Bob

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I posted this in another forum, and it was suggested that I pose the question here to get more specialty-specific responses.

So after weeks of making spreadsheets, comparing benefits, curriculae, the surrounding community, etc, I'm still no closer to differentiating my top programs. Essentially I'm at the point where I'd rather just rank them all #1 and let the match sort it out for me (is there any way to go to all 3?)

Program 1: Moderate sized city, rotations at seven different hospitals over the course of the residency (from small community hospitals to big level 1 trauma centers). Old established program. Average salary and average benefit package.

Program 2: Moderate sized town,sort of far from any big cities, but large tertiary referrral center, level 1 trauma center. Old established program, lots of associated residency programs. Best salary but so-so benefit package.

Program 3: Moderate sized city, rotations at two community hospitals (level 2 trauma centers), program only 2 years old. Only one other residency program at the hospital so no overlap or fighting with other residencies for procedures. Best benefit package except lowest salary.

They have equivalent curriculums, equal moonlighting opportunity, I got along well with the staff and residents at all three programs, I have no geographic ties to any of them, the atmosphere of the program (community vs big referral center) doesn't matter because I have a lot of military obligations after I finish so I don't really care if it points its residents towards academics or community medicine.

I had an easy time building my ROL from the bottom up, but when I hit the top 3-4, I stalled. It seems to be a daily occurrence now that I change the number 1 program on my obviously uncertified ROL (and it switches between these 3 with no real rationale).

And my wife, in looking at the cities and what there is to do for her and our kids, came up with her own rankings independently and finally said "well, these are my top three favorite but I like them all about the same for different reasons" and they were the same 3 places.

sigh.
 
I feel you pain, I am in the exact same position although with different programs
 
i mainly based my rankings in the top 5 based on how i felt/interacted with residents/staff/attendings during my interview day/2nd visit...ie. who laughs when I drop in quotes from Family guy/the office/simpsons
 
I'm also losing my mind trying to rank my top 3. The biggest thing it comes down to for me is geography - one program is in a city I love, one is in a city I could definitely learn to love, and one is in a city I don't like at all. But, objectively, I feel that the 3rd one is the strongest, followed by the second, and then the first - though they're all fairly similar and the differences are relatively small. What to do?! I wish this was easier!
 
i mainly based my rankings in the top 5 based on how i felt/interacted with residents/staff/attendings during my interview day/2nd visit...ie. who laughs when I drop in quotes from Family guy/the office/simpsons

That's what she said...
 
Number 1 was easy for me. Two and three on the other hand... trying to decide which is which is driving me so crazy that it makes me start second-guessing whether they should even be 2 and 3. The middle of the list is also a mess, though.

I agree, Doctor Bob, the bottom-up part of the list was definitely easier! I think part of it is that 2 and 3 are still places that you could very likely wind up, while we all like to think that we won't have to match at our last or second to last place, so it feels more theoretical.
 
#1 was very easy.

#2-6 was where it got difficult.

#7-10 were easy again.
 
Go to Corpus!

Hehehe...

Program 1: Wright State in Dayton
Program 2: University of Illinois at Peoria
Program 3: Christus Spohn in Corpus Christi

By my estimation, all three are great programs, and I got a great feeling from all of them. But the things that make them different (that mattter to me) aren't really things I can compare (sort of an apples to oranges to pears sort of thing).

I agree, Doctor Bob, the bottom-up part of the list was definitely easier! I think part of it is that 2 and 3 are still places that you could very likely wind up, while we all like to think that we won't have to match at our last or second to last place, so it feels more theoretical.

I wonder if (because I don't have that feeling of "this is definitely without a doubt my #1 choice") I didn't do a good enough job of vetting programs before I applied to find a program that would have given me that feeling. I got interviews at most everywhere I applied (and the few that I didn't, I didn't care too much about not being able to go there). Or.. maybe I'm just indecisive. I'm not sure.
 
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hurricanes scare me..

Well I went to medical school in south Florida and now I'm doing my internship on the Mississippi gulf coast. Hurricane schmurricane 🙂

But it's done. I've certified my ROL. For better or for worse, now all there is to do is wait till March.
 
I have #1 and #3 down but am really struggling to come up with two!

So how do I know 3 but not 2? My fiance and I agreed I wouldnt rank a certain program higher than 3. It was sort of a wild-card which I ended up loving. Now he is giving me the infamous "maybe you should move 3 to 2 if you feel strongly." I cant tell if when he says the city is growing on him and he thinks there are more job ops than he initially thought he is being honest or just trying help me and accommodate my preferences.

Ultimately, it will be a surprise next month regardless of where I rank programs!!! We are committed to making it work out and going in with a good attitude, but the next 48 hours will be stressful!!!

Stressful, yes... but I sort of envy you guys. Match was such an exciting time... and the end of 4th year was great! Enjoy it!
 
Having same problem with ranking top 3. Any suggestions for what to do in final 2 days? I feel like I've talked to tons of residents in all the programs. Location is kind of a toss-up (pros/cons in both places, near family in one, friends in the other). Does it help to talk to the PD or faculty? Or better for a long run and not think too much any more?
 
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