Contacting PDs to discuss ranking intentions

[scubasea]

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Just wondering what ya'll think about contacting PDs to tell them how you intend to rank them. Do you think it affects your ranking in any way? Besides, I'm starting to think that many of the programs have already submitted their rank lists, which means that nothing (i.e. deans calling on your behalf) can really make a difference at this point.

what have ya'll heard about all this? i would appreciate any input esp those that have already matched in previous years (i.e. moderators)

If I do want to contact my top programs, how should I go about doing it? letters, email, phone calls from my PD???

 

[xaelia]

Just wondering what ya'll think about contacting PDs to tell them how you intend to rank them.

PDs? Plural?

"Hi! I really liked you guys. I'm ranking you #4." seems awkward to me. I wasn't planning on doing anything except for my top-ranked program, and even then, the least-obtrusive path.

 

[RetFellow]

PDs? Plural?

"Hi! I really liked you guys. I'm ranking you #4." seems awkward to me. I wasn't planning on doing anything except for my top-ranked program, and even then, the least-obtrusive path.

Xaelia is correct. You should only really call one program. And I'd have your attending/PD do it on your behalf, particularly someone who actually knows your desired program, as they might actually have some pull. They would get to speak directly to the people in charge at your dream program.

That being said, I did, write to my 2nd pick way back when and tell them I thought very highly of them. Nothing wrong with that. Letters and e-mails, though, I'm never quite sure they get read by the right people.

Try to do 2 and it will come back and haunt you big time.

A friend of mine at a great Nocal med school (3rd tier ophtho program though) told his home program director that they were his #1, and they ranked him to match. Only he, at the last moment, with no ill-intention, put a well-known socal school first, his 'dream' school. How do you think he looked (and will forever be regarded) when he matched at the socal program?

As you mentioned, some programs (such as where I was) make the list right after the interviews, so that no matter what you say, the list is done. The way the match is supposed to work.

 

[DFavell]

Most programs rank after the last interview. Most have a system where each attending has an equal vote. People do not usually move up or down the list by vote or action of a single person after the fact. That would defeat the purpose of the system.

Having someone call about you BEFORE an interview may help. Letters, emails, phone calls after will do little or nothing. Save your stamp money.

 

[Wolverine98]

I touched on this in another thread (I think the one about general interview advice). It really doesn't help you much. The way the algorithm works, they're going to rank people in the order they want them (if they know what they're doing), and you should rank them in the order you want them. If they believe you, it's just a guarantee that they won't go lower than you on the list. Based on the PDs I've talked to about it, most will assume that you're telling this to multiple places (ie, that you're full of crap).

Doing this also has the potential to hurt you in the long run (for the full reasoning behind this, you can read the posts in the other thread).

Dave

 

[Wolverine98]

Most programs rank after the last interview. Most have a system where each attending has an equal vote. People do not usually move up or down the list by vote or action of a single person after the fact. That would defeat the purpose of the system.

Having someone call about you BEFORE an interview may help. Letters, emails, phone calls after will do little or nothing. Save your stamp money.

I agree with this as well. I'd also add in that at many places, the resident votes are equal to the staff, so buttering up to them may be just as helpful.

Dave

 

[DFavell]

Being friendly and cordial to everyone you meet can never hurt as long as it seems genuine. Remember, the number of places you potentially move up for being seen as a "good guy" is significantly less then the number you may lose for being seen as a potenital "problem" or "attitude" issue.

 

[DOapplicant]

I touched on this in another thread (I think the one about general interview advice). It really doesn't help you much. The way the algorithm works, they're going to rank people in the order they want them (if they know what they're doing), and you should rank them in the order you want them. If they believe you, it's just a guarantee that they won't go lower than you on the list. Based on the PDs I've talked to about it, most will assume that you're telling this to multiple places (ie, that you're full of crap).

Doing this also has the potential to hurt you in the long run (for the full reasoning behind this, you can read the posts in the other thread).

Dave

your posts are always awesome wolverine98! thanks for telling it like it is👍

 

[scubasea]

Thanks for all your help fellow SDN posters. Let me start by clarifying my intentions. I do not intend to tell more than one program that they're my number one! I firmly believe that it will come back and bite me in the a*@.

So overall, is the concensus to only notify the top program and avoid contact programs 2-4? Or would it be okay to kindly remind programs 2-4 that you do like them without explicitly saying you're my "number one?"

good luck everyone.

 

[7ontheline]

Or would it be okay to kindly remind programs 2-4 that you do like them without explicitly saying you're my "number one?"

What benefit would you expect to gain from this? Do you think this will help your chances at these particular programs? I highly doubt it. I wouldn't bother.

 

[DFavell]

Total waste of time. The letters and emails just go into the waste basket. Nobody is going to move you up based on that contact. They assume you sent them to everyone anyway.

 

[xaelia]

My Dean said there was no further need for me to contact any programs, even my top choice. So, I'm not.

 

[Vballguy]

I touched on this in another thread (I think the one about general interview advice). It really doesn't help you much. The way the algorithm works, they're going to rank people in the order they want them (if they know what they're doing), and you should rank them in the order you want them. If they believe you, it's just a guarantee that they won't go lower than you on the list. Based on the PDs I've talked to about it, most will assume that you're telling this to multiple places (ie, that you're full of crap).

Doing this also has the potential to hurt you in the long run (for the full reasoning behind this, you can read the posts in the other thread).

Dave

That said, it appears that stein may be focused on ranking people who will rank them highly.

 

[scubasea]

So, after talking to my mentors and PD at my home school, it does appear to be a good idea to drop a line or two by email to your top choices.

the bottom line is programs want to rank people who want to be there. I mean, everyone's got an ego-let's face it. I also got the impression that BPEI tends to rank people who really want to be there. I'm not sure about stein (didn't interview there).

 

[Wolverine98]

That said, it appears that stein may be focused on ranking people who will rank them highly.

What is that statement based on?

Many of the high profile programs just assume that people will rank them highly. How many people who interview at BP don't rank them highly? Some, but not many. Of those, how many do you think fall down enough on their own list to end up there? Again, not many. The progams know that if you want to be there, you'll rank them. If you want to be somewhere else more, you'll tank that other place higher. PDs who have been doing this for a while know that you can't really play the guessing game about where someone else is going to rank you, and, more importantly, you can't necessarily trust what an applicant says.

Dave