How much communication with PD is too much

[quixoticus]

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I am trying to stay in touch with him at least once a month with bits and pieces of info on the interview and my application. Now I am in a dilemma whether to increase it to every 15 days or stay the course. Hope he does not get irritated and start tearing my application into shreds...

 

[ResidentMD]

I am trying to stay in touch with him at least once a month with bits and pieces of info on the interview and my application. Now I am in a dilemma whether to increase it to every 15 days or stay the course. Hope he does not get irritated and start tearing my application into shreds...

IMHO, when YOU begin to worry it may be too much (and not completely necessary), it really is too much.

 

[quixoticus]

Yeah..thats true. Its just the irresistible urge to know whether he likes me or not. That brings me to another point. Has anyone ever asked a program directly whether it likes them or not.
Simple direct question-" Do you like me?? 😍 Do you think we can come together and live happily ever after for 3 years"

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I am trying to stay in touch with him at least once a month with bits and pieces of info on the interview and my application. Now I am in a dilemma whether to increase it to every 15 days or stay the course. Hope he does not get irritated and start tearing my application into shreds...

I think it would depend on the nature of the communication. Is this just you repeatedly emailing him without solicitation, or is it a back-and-forth?

 

[quixoticus]

Its back and forth. The PD replies back to me within 3-4 hrs.

 

[ResidentMD]

Its back and forth. The PD replies back to me within 3-4 hrs.

I agree with southernIM.

From my experience, PDs will generally not reply unless they see something in you. He/she is obviously interested in you, thats why they reply. Even if they are replying politely, you must ensure that the content of your emails is solid.

The way I see it, the PD would like to have you on his ROL. You just have to play your cards right till March, so dont overdo anything. Any and all content of your emails should really be something substantial (wishing them happy new year without adding anything else substantial, such as a publication, is really not significant communication).

And if the PD has exchanged more than 3-4 emails with you, which have content (not just courtesy replies), trust me, he/she remembers you by now.

 

[quixoticus]

Yes.That's true. Most of the emails have been about significant changes, with one of them being about an abstract submitted to a conference. And I am pretty sure he remembers me by my name.

I had contacted him before the interview season and he was very positive with my resume. On the interview day, to my surprise, I was interviewed by everyone except him and he had interviewed quite a few that day. So I requested the PC to grant a session with him and he obliged. But he was not very enthusiastic then. After that he has been responding to all my emails promptly and enthusiastically. The thing is this is a program which I want to go to. But the PD looks bipolar.

So its quite a dilemma, because I dont know whether he really is interested in me or just courting me so that I rank his program first and he has a backup.

 

[ResidentMD]

So its quite a dilemma, because I dont know whether he really is interested in me or just courting me so that I rank his program first and he has a backup.

I know it is easy for me to say - but how will this change your decision? The match is geared to favor the applicant. Even if you get the answer to your question above, I guess (AND HOPE) it doesnt change the position of the program on your ROL. And that is all that you should be worrying about. Tell him about your interest in the program, go for the second look if necessary (I know the world says it doesnt help, and it probably doesnt, but if you have the time and finances, DO IT), and then rank the program as you want to.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I know it is easy for me to say - but how will this change your decision? The match is geared to favor the applicant. Even if you get the answer to your question above, I guess (AND HOPE) it doesnt change the position of the program on your ROL. And that is all that you should be worrying about. Tell him about your interest in the program, go for the second look if necessary (I know the world says it doesnt help, and it probably doesnt, but if you have the time and finances, DO IT), and then rank the program as you want to.

Exactly. At some point there is no point worrying about it. You play the game to the extent you're comfortable, rank the way you want to rank, and hope for the best.