Ethical ranking question

[qwerty30]

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So a few weeks ago i sent the " your number one" letter and email to a program. So far, i havent even gotten the "thanks for trying" response. This has left a very poor impression with me and caused me to rethink the program. The question is do i still have to rank them number one or can i move them way down on the list?

 

[Lance]

Moving them down would be lying. You really should only get one shot at the "you're my number 1". Besides, some programs seem to have strict "no communication" type rules. Don't worry about it, rank who you want, and crack a beer.

 

[GoBuckeyes913]

I sent a love email to my #2 program, it wasn't a "you're my #1", but it was warm and fuzzy and me telling them that I planned on ranking them very highly, blah blah blah. Didn't get any response whatsoever, not even an acknowledgement of receiving my email. Still ranking them #2.

 

[Law2Doc]

So a few weeks ago i sent the " your number one" letter and email to a program. So far, i havent even gotten the "thanks for trying" response. This has left a very poor impression with me and caused me to rethink the program. The question is do i still have to rank them number one or can i move them way down on the list?

Most people get no response. I wouldnt read into it

 

[Samoa]

What would be the harm in keeping them #1? You may have misinterpreted their silence, and you'll match there and be proven wrong. Worst case, you're right, and their lack of reciprocation does have meaning. Then your #2 becomes your de facto #1, and you match there instead.

Keeping them #1 is just insurance against the possibility that you're wrong.

 

[twilburys]

I sent a love email to my #2 program, it wasn't a "you're my #1", but it was warm and fuzzy and me telling them that I planned on ranking them very highly, blah blah blah. Didn't get any response whatsoever, not even an acknowledgement of receiving my email. Still ranking them #2.

Same as above, except my #2 basically sent me a rejection as a response. I'm still ranking them #2, but the email made me very nervous about matching anywhere. I would have rather had no response.

 

[Samoa]

What did it say? If you don't mind sharing.

 

[twilburys]

What did it say? If you don't mind sharing.

Here's the paraphrased version: Thanks for my interest in their program. They had a lot of excellent candidates this year. Good luck with the match.

 

[drbetty]

Here's the paraphrased version: Thanks for my interest in their program. They had a lot of excellent candidates this year. Good luck with the match.

Nah, I don't think that's a rejection. Perhaps you are one of their excellent candidates this year - they did offer you an interview!

However, I definitely recognize the subconscious effect of the post-interview feedback, but am trying to remain stoic about the order of my list.

 

[ranmyaku]

Here's the paraphrased version: Thanks for my interest in their program. They had a lot of excellent candidates this year. Good luck with the match.

I'd be pretty miffed by that also

 

[blabbyblab]

Man I had this same problem. I sent the number one email right after interview season, got no response, and decided finally that I'd rather rank another great place first that seems to want me more and where I would be equally happy. Now I kind of have a tentative plan for the future and that's a load off.

The problem is my conscience feels a little sullied for basically sending out two number one emails. I'm glad I did what I did though since I had misgivings about my number one from the start even though it's more prestigious.

So my advice is...rank where you want to go first no matter how many misguided emails you send.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Some programs are very skittish about violating the match/hold themselves to a very high standard and go overkill at not giving any information. So this might be an effort to say "We got your letter, thank you, but we won't say anything else"

And if you liked them enough to rank them #1 in the first place, there's no reason you should rank them anywhere else.

 

[peerie]

I agree with the post above about how we need to really think about how we feel about the programs and their response - or lack - to us. I have one program that really likes me and lets me know that periodically. Great program! another program has basically ignored me and not responded to my polite inquires - despite encouraging me to 'keep in touch.' That has a huge effect on me, and it's hard to take the second program seriously even tho they also expressed alot of interest in me. They just never responded to me when I reciprocated.

 

[gutonc]

I am still wrestling with the issues of: ok, they like me and are letting me know. Not bad if it's an excellent program and one of my top three.

But, what it the residents do not respond to friendly emails, etc. and the program is like, your number 2/3? Faculty seem friendly and responsive - but nada from the residents. These are your potential colleagues next year so um, it would be something to think about.

Is it a matter of not wanting to violate some nmrp thing or it is that they do not like you? 😕

Or maybe they're just F'n busy. I ignore about 90% of the email I get from my own family. Emails from random people I may or may not remember from a 10 minute interaction 4 months ago will probably go completely unnoticed at best (at worst, you may hit my spam folder).

LET IT GO

 

[peerie]

ok, ok I am trying to let it go.

That's why I changed my post - and then just saw yours.