Communicating to your #1

[doozy]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

What is an appropriate way to communicate to a program that I will be ranking it #1?

 

[ophthope]

Sorry I don't have the answer but I'm also interested in the topic and wondering if any program directors or faculty have insider knowledge of whether telling your #1 helps, hurts, or does nothing.

 

[Visionary]

Sorry I don't have the answer but I'm also interested in the topic and wondering if any program directors or faculty have insider knowledge of whether telling your #1 helps, hurts, or does nothing.

This. Rank lists are created by the interviewing committee, typically immediately following interviews. Communication with the PD or Chair after the fact is unlikely to prompt any changes in your position on the rank list. They are going to rank the folks they want. Think about it. You could call every program and tell them you are ranking them #1. Every other applicant could do the same. How would that information even be useful?

 

[doctortom]

It will most likely do nothing but can't hurt. Just send an email to the PD. The most it does is making you feel you did everything possible to match at your #1. At my home institution, our selection committee used things such as supportive calls and emails to make minor adjustments to the lower half of their rank list.

 

[RestoreSight]

This. Rank lists are created by the interviewing committee, typically immediately following interviews. Communication with the PD or Chair after the fact is unlikely to prompt any changes in your position on the rank list. They are going to rank the folks they want. Think about it. You could call every program and tell them you are ranking them #1. Every other applicant could do the same. How would that information even be useful?

Agreed. If you think this will help you better tell the program they are #1 DURING the interview, otherwise some note won't make any difference after the fact.

 

[LightBox]

Agreed. If you think this will help you better tell the program they are #1 DURING the interview, otherwise some note won't make any difference after the fact.

I would recommend sending cash -- and lots of it 🙂

 

[Visionary]

I would recommend sending cash -- and lots of it 🙂