Contacting programs after interviews

[daveshnave]

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So now that it is getting closer to the ROL due date, just curious how often, if at all, people are contacting/emailing programs after sending thank you notes? Are people contacting ALL programs that they are ranking in order to express interest? Or just a handful? Or none? If it's just a handful, are they all top choices, or are some top choices and some backups, with no contacting of middle-ranked programs (hope that made sense???).

BTW, please don't turn this into a pissing contest--- "Well I talked to DR. so-and-so, from insert-top-ranked-program, and he told me I'm guaranteed a number one spot. Gosh I hope I match..." 😉 😀

 

[scarface]

I started of doing well writing thank you cards to PD's and coordinators, but that quickly died by about interview #6 (I also applied to Prelims and TY). Then I got lazy as I got swamped with traveling, for interviews and leisure. I have however written thank you notes to those programs that impressed/interest me the most (up to #6 on my current ROL), and sent emails to the rest. I think that all of these programs that invite us for interview deserve at least a thank you something (email at minimum), considering that they also invest in our visits with time, mulla and making people available.

Just my humble thoughts.

 

[hello23]

I only wrote thank you note to 3 programs, as they were very impressive...I didn't write others because I think me showing up there with $300-400 debt in my credit card should mean more than a thank you note....By the way, didn't we say thank you at the end of the interview in person?

Also, if a program judge me by the presence or absence of a thank-you note, then I tell you, that is one stupid way to judge, and that program is too insecure about itself. Just because everyone does it, does not mean you have to too, right? (well, I said this because it was brought up by one of my gunner classmate...)

Oh, by the way, never tell more than one program that it's your #1...not necessarily because it will burn you later, but rather it's because you have already worked so hard to get to where you are today, why would you lie just to get ahead of others at the very end? aka...for the purpose of having intergrity...and that's another reason why I could not write more than 3 thank-you notes because the programs were not impressive enough and I couldn't kiss up and say stupid things to PD.

 

[scarface]

just to clarify, I have not told any program that they will be my #1. Just simple thank you note/email mostly because my parents have trained me well.

level of happiness 10/10
level of nervousness 10/10
cost of matching in EM....priceless (not really, $3300 down all in thank you notes )

 

[dlung]

My older brother sed that we can deduct thank-you notes and other related stationary from our taxes next year since it's a job-search related expense, like travel+lodging costs. 👍

 

[Hercules]

My older brother sed that we can deduct thank-you notes and other related stationary from our taxes next year since it's a job-search related expense, like travel+lodging costs. 👍

I think a couple of the threads on this topic decided that was not an option for most of us, unless you had some really weird circumstances. 👎

 

[southerndoc]

My older brother sed that we can deduct thank-you notes and other related stationary from our taxes next year since it's a job-search related expense, like travel+lodging costs. 👍

False.

You can only deduct job-hunting expenses if you are currently employed in that profession.

As a student, you are not currently employed as a physician. Therefore, you cannot deduct airfare, stationary, applications, etc.

As a resident, you will be able to do this when you apply for attending positions.

 

[dlung]

that sucks.