i know ppl send out emails to the top if not the top 3 programs they will be ranking but when should they be sent out? do ppl normally send them after they finish interviews (i will finish by the end of january) or just before the final day ROLs can be submitted? when is it too early and when is it too late? thanks!
final emails to PDs
- Thread starter jimj82
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Whenever you have your ROL finalized and can accurately say that you have a # 1 choice, then you can send an e-mail.
Remember that such correspondence may be low yield albeit traditional as programs are rewarded for ranking the applicants they liked the best just as applicants are rewarded for ranking the programs they like the best irregardless of undue influence from either party. Of course, expressing interest can never hurt as long as it is genuine.
I would try to do it by the end of January as programs may certify their lists in the first or second week of February. It will vary by program, but I doubt the secretary is going to be entering the list at 11 AM on the noon deadline in mid-February!
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Do people usually send to top 3 programs, or just to their #1? I guess you would word the letter a bit differently for #2 and 3 vs #1. Email or snail mail?
Email. Would email #1 only if you are absolutely positive it is your #1. Not sure it's worth doing #2 or #3. If you do, say something to the effect of "intend to rank highly." Problem is, the wording screams that you are not their #1, which may hurt more than help depending on the program and the politics. Just whatever you do, don't tell more than 1 program that they are your #1. This is common sense, but you'd be surprised...
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I think e-mail is more convenient. It's the digital age!
You can tell the # 1 program. If you are doing a trio, you can do it various ways... send a gold medal to the top finisher and a bronze metal to the # 3... oh wait... I'm thinking of the Olympics. In reality, you could just tell the # 2 or # 3 that they represent the top 3 on your ROL and that you were impressed with them or you can use the highly popular, noncommittal "ranked highly" phrase.
Some people have faith in the match and do not indicate any preferences... and yet these people still get their # 1 choice. The match really works out if you have faith in it. We are all neurotic, so of course we have to tell # 1 and maybe #2 or # 3 that we liked the program. Honestly, the match process will more than likely match you are one of your choices... unless you're going into dermatology... then it's pure Darwinism. The finch with the largest CV wins.
Personally, I don't think it is necessary to send any love-letter emails unless the program was "wooing" you and you accept their "advances" and you plan to rank them #1.
I do not think that sending an "I plan to rank you highly" or "I plan to rank you within my top 3" email to your #2 or #3 does you any good - infact it may hurt as it becomes clear to them that they are not your top choice.
If a program is deciding between two equally-regarded applicants and one sent them an email implying that the program is not their #1 and the other did not send any correspondece at all, I would think that most would rank higher the applicant that did not send any correspondence.
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