1- how common is it for people to notify their top choice by email or phone call? is it worthwhile? won't most programs have already made their rank lists by now?
It's not uncommon for people to do this, but it's a waste of time. As you noted, most programs have already made their list. As is the case for you, it's in the program's best interest to rank people in the order they want them, so there's no reason to change the list based on someone saying they want to be there.
Lastly, just about every program director has been lied to about this at some point or another, and are inclined to take it with a grain of salt (and it's something that could come back to bite you in the you-know-where down the road if you are one of the people who lies about it).
2- are there any programs that if you send a letter to them, they may not respond (i.e. if i send a letter and dont hear back, does that mean anything?)
I wouldn't take that to mean anything, especially at this time of year. PDs and coordinators also often take time off at this time of year. Also, unless you specifically ask something that requires a response, then I wouldn't worry about it.
3- have heard of people being contacted by program directors and/or other committee members in the past after interviews about being ranked "extremely high" or "to match" or with any other indication that they are particularly interested? is this common or uncommon in ophthalmology? it seems to happen a great deal in other specialties from what i have heard
I don't think it happens as much in ophtho as it does in some other specialties. Even if it does, I would take what you're told with a big grain of salt. Some programs will try to get everyone to rank them highly, so they can say that only went down to spot 10 or 12 or whatever on their list.
I had multiple classmates apply to the same program (non-ophtho) when I was in med school. The program called them
all and told them they would be ranked at the top of the list. Most of them talked to each other, and they realized that it was a 3 person per-year program, and 5 of them had been told they'd be ranked at the top (one of them wanted to go there, but matched somewhere else).
I know that our program will not make unsolicited contact with people individually. Back when I was interviewing, one of the first things that Lichter (Kellogg) told everyone on the interview day was that they absolutely would not initiate any contact with people after the interview day (I'm assuming he still does that, but I don't know for sure).
Just remember, the algorithm is in your favor. Rank the programs in the order you like them. There's no reason to change your list if the program you were going to put at #10 says they're going to put you #1. If they're telling the truth, that just means you don't have to worry about falling below #10 on your list.
