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If one matches their #1, is it wrong to send another email telling a program they are now their #1? Any suggestions how to go about doing this?
Changing #1
- Thread starter Medstudentquest
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Dear program,
I am writing this letter to inform you about some information I have come across. This information may surprise you, so please be sure to be seated before reading any further. It has come to my attention that you believe your program to be the #1 program in your specialty. I hope you will do well with this information. You're welcome.
Sincerely,
Medstudentrequest
I am writing this letter to inform you about some information I have come across. This information may surprise you, so please be sure to be seated before reading any further. It has come to my attention that you believe your program to be the #1 program in your specialty. I hope you will do well with this information. You're welcome.
Sincerely,
Medstudentrequest
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Lol. Even though I laughed, that was not helpful! Again, there is a lot of anxiety around this time that will hopefully end on March 12. But until then, be nice and patient! Given that I believe a different program should now be #1, I don't want to be dishonest and send more than one of these emails. But at the same time I don't know how to go about this in a good way.
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Im not sure I understand. Did you already tell one place they are #1 and now are asking how you get out of that and tell another place they are #1?
Or did you not tell the first place?
If you already told the first place, it's going to be bad any way you go about it for them. At best you look like a flip-flopper; at worst you look morally and intellectually dishonest.
If you didnt tell them anything, then no one would ever know.
Or did you not tell the first place?
If you already told the first place, it's going to be bad any way you go about it for them. At best you look like a flip-flopper; at worst you look morally and intellectually dishonest.
If you didnt tell them anything, then no one would ever know.
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Your question is confusing as hell. Are you trying to say that you've already told a program they're your #1 but now you've changed your mind and another program is your #1 so you want to send them an email now?
If so, it was briefly touched on here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=885938
If so, it was briefly touched on here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=885938
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I don't know about minimal. If any of the candidates below you on their rank list matches to their program, then it's highly likely that you did not rank them #1.
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The likelihood they will find out is not minimal. What if they adjusted their rank list based on your email? If it comes to match day and you arent there, they will KNOW you didnt rank them #1 assuming they ranked you high enough to be a lock. It may depend somewhat on how well you think that program is ranking you, but youre in a bad place. Like one of the other posters said above, theres a long thread about this already, but any way you go, its gonna be tough.
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I dont know that it's irrelevant. IDK what field you are applying in but medicine in any field is a small world and if you're thinking about fellowships in 3-5 years, you probably dont want a PD out there with a vendetta against you--not that they necessarily would, but personally, I would just be worried that if 1) your first program ranked your highly enough to lock a match 2) you now change 3) you dont match there making it clear you changed your list AFTER you said they were number 1, it wont make you look very good.
That's a lot of ifs and of course nothing is binding until you actually get that letter, but it's tough any way you go. I dont envy your position.
What's your rationale for wanting to change? Did you have a major event that made it happen or just a gut feeling change? You can probably make a better case if you had a specific situation that changed rather than "i like program X better now"
People change their minds and rank lists up until the deadline to submit. Things change for people...life happens and some people may need to adjust their rank list accordingly. This isn't "morally and intellectually dishonest"...you gotta be kidding me. 🙄
OP: you're not in the wrong. This is a long process and one's rank list often changes from day to day, hell minute to minute. You don't "owe" anything to any one program--this is your career after all and you have to do what is best for you, even if that means a change of heart with your #1 program. Good luck, all will work out.
OP: you're not in the wrong. This is a long process and one's rank list often changes from day to day, hell minute to minute. You don't "owe" anything to any one program--this is your career after all and you have to do what is best for you, even if that means a change of heart with your #1 program. Good luck, all will work out.
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True--however, the OP asked what to do if they already told a program they had said they were #1--this isnt just your own personal list changing when you havent told anyone. There's more here to it especially if you tell someone they are #1
I don't think it changes a thing if he told a program you're my #1 and then changed his mind after doing so. It's not like he's purposely deceiving the program. I'm all for being honest, but it's not like he signed a contract and now he's backing out of it. The OP's mind changed and he has the right to do so, even after he told a program they are his #1.
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Fair enough. I agree that the program was the OP's #1 when he told them and that changed. I also think it's completely reasonable for the list to change over time. I guess my concern would be that program knowing that the OP had changed and then someone holding it against him /her and/or then disseminating that information. Not saying that's right or that's what will happen; I can just see it happening and know residents it has happened to.
I understand what you are saying. The OP could also send a note to the program that he changed his mind to after the Match to shed some light on his/her change of heart, especially if the OP knew the PD well.
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totally agree. I think after the match it'd be the good thing to do. Before the applicant has way too little power and thatd definitely weaken their position overall.
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Not dishonest? Well jeez, why not just tell every program up and down your rank list they are #1? I'm sure they were your #1 choice at some millisecond in time.
This exact situation happened at my school's surgery program. A top candidate told the program she was ranking us #1, she was bumped to an RTM spot because of it, then come match day, she matched elsewhere (meaning she lied and changed her mind). PD here was quite angry and annoyed - he called her, her school's dean, her school's surgery chair, and the PD and chair at the program she was matching into, telling them she lied during the match. He vowed she would never obtain a fellowship here.
Yes, there are repercussions. Medicine is a small world. Make up your mind next time you go telling people final decisions before they are final. If you don't want to be a liar, you need to tell former #1 that they aren't.
This exact situation happened at my school's surgery program. A top candidate told the program she was ranking us #1, she was bumped to an RTM spot because of it, then come match day, she matched elsewhere (meaning she lied and changed her mind). PD here was quite angry and annoyed - he called her, her school's dean, her school's surgery chair, and the PD and chair at the program she was matching into, telling them she lied during the match. He vowed she would never obtain a fellowship here.
Yes, there are repercussions. Medicine is a small world. Make up your mind next time you go telling people final decisions before they are final. If you don't want to be a liar, you need to tell former #1 that they aren't.
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Which is why, as I've tried desperately to beat into everybody's head this year, this whole "you're my #1, you're high on my list" issue is a massive waste of time and energy and, as in this case, has the ability to cause you problems down the road.
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I don't understand why it's so hard for people to not send these letters until they are absolutely sure. And if you are that torn over Your number 1 spot, don't send a letter. It's really not that hard.
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You'd think the OP, who's allegedly been through the match twice before, would know thr score by now.
