How much truth is too much....

[medlaw06]

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Hey all...as the interview season winds down, I FINALLY decided where I want to be, but (obviously) am unsure if they will rank me (the 1st place is I seriously have doubts over since it seemed like it was a courtesy interview). Now, the thing is is how are you guys handling the 2nd and 3rd choices. Going by what the stats say, almost all match in their top 3. BUT, not all match with their #1 choice. So, you obviosuly have to handle the #2 and 3 very carefully.


So, my question to you guys is how would you handle the delicate situation of telling someone they are #2 (#3)?

WHat I have done so far is written a letter to the interviewer and the PD (HAVEN'T MAILED it yet since I am waiting for your help in this) and in the last paragraph, mentioned something to the effect that:


Dear Dr. Yabba-Dabba-Doo,

Blah...blah...blah...(reasons why I like the program....

It is for these aforementioned reasons that I will be ranking Program X as one of my top 2 choices. As time for submission of the rank order list approaches, I hope you will keep me in mind....


The thing that worries me is that on one hand, I don't wanna mislead them and tell them that they are my #1 when they are #2 (or 3). HOWEVER, sometimes you kinda have to play the game and treat the #2 and 3 AS a number 1 since the actual number 1 program is not guarenteed.

Advice?

 

[candycane]

you are not allowed to tell a proram where you will rank them nor are they allowed to tell you either. Not to say that it doesnt happen, it is just against match rules. You can say that you will rank them highly or very highly etc.

 

[robotsonic]

you are not allowed to tell a proram where you will rank them nor are they allowed to tell you either. Not to say that it doesnt happen, it is just against match rules. You can say that you will rank them highly or very highly etc.

Haven't we gone over this enough? You are allowed to tell them where you are ranking them. The match rules are that they cannot ASK you where you are ranking them, and you can't ask them where they are ranking you. If either side wants to provide the information, that is allowed.

To the OP, telling them that they are one of the "top 2" programs essentially tells them that they are #2, because if they were #1 then you would just say that. I think I'm going to handle this by not mentioning a specific rank for #2 and #3, and just saying that I am ranking them very highly. Overall, these letters make very little difference anyway, so it probably doesn't matter.

 

[OUsooner]

I got a related question about these letters of intent. When is a good time to send them, assuming you do NOT know when the committee of the particular school meets to make up their rank order list?? I plan on sending my "i plan to rank you blah blah blah" letters the last week of January. Will this be too late? Also is an email acceptable in these letters, considering I have already mailed a thank you note via snail mail? thx

 

[Amy]

I got a related question about these letters of intent. When is a good time to send them, assuming you do NOT know when the committee of the particular school meets to make up their rank order list?? I plan on sending my "i plan to rank you blah blah blah" letters the last week of January. Will this be too late? Also is an email acceptable in these letters, considering I have already mailed a thank you note via snail mail? thx

I'd say you should send them as soon as you've made your rank list. Programs make final decisions in late Jan/early Feb.

 

[Poety]

I'd say you should send them as soon as you've made your rank list. Programs make final decisions in late Jan/early Feb.

Thanks Amy

 

[mosche]

Sent mine today, thanks to Poety's encouragement. Now I'm more stressed than I've been all year!

 

[mikecwru]

you are not allowed to tell a proram where you will rank them nor are they allowed to tell you either. Not to say that it doesnt happen, it is just against match rules. You can say that you will rank them highly or very highly etc.

You are absolutely allowed to tell a program where you will rank them, it is NOT against match rules. It is against the rules to ASK where you will be ranked, or for the program to do the same for you.

Re: the OP, I would say "rank you very highly" just to make it sound less ridiculous, not because of rules.

Feel free to tell your #1 "I'm ranking you #1" if that's your desire.

mike

 

[Poety]

Sent mine today, thanks to Poety's encouragement. Now I'm more stressed than I've been all year!

YOu know how it goes hon, if they write back with the party invite - YOU'RE GOLDEN

 

[OUsooner]

Thanks for the motivation - writing my letters today! Anybody ever hear of people getting replies to these letters - or is this wishful thinking? Wouldn't it be nice if you got a reply saying "we also plan on ranking you number 1, here is another draft of our contract". 😀

 

[GoofyDoc]

Thanks for the motivation - writing my letters today! Anybody ever hear of people getting replies to these letters - or is this wishful thinking? Wouldn't it be nice if you got a reply saying "we also plan on ranking you number 1, here is another draft of our contract". 😀

😀 How about filling out the sample contract they give you and mail it to them with a note saying "Thank you for the done deal."

 

[pitstains00]

I was also wondering about replies. I sent an email to a PD last week and haven't gotten a reply. I'm hoping it's because he is still interviewing applicants, but it's probably because 'he hate me'.
'stain

 

[BKN]

😀 How about filling out the sample contract they give you and mail it to them with a note saying "Thank you for the done deal."

What would I do if somebody sent me one like that?

 

[pdintheusa]

I'd say you should send them as soon as you've made your rank list. Programs make final decisions in late Jan/early Feb.

Agree with this advice. We are meeting with our residents in the next week and will likely draft the list by Feb 1. Most changes after that are minor - based on last minute letters/second look feedback.

In general [I am just being honest here]
* Applicants that don't mention "I hope to be a part of your program" or something similar in a letter - in general, with some exceptions, they aren't ranking you at the top.
* "Highly" to me means #2, #3, #4 etc
* A letter to the PD that does show strong interest helps if you are in a cluster of fairly similar people on our generated score report. [may bump you a few spots]

 

[BKN]

Agree with this advice. We are meeting with our residents in the next week and will likely draft the list by Feb 1. Most changes after that are minor - based on last minute letters/second look feedback.

In general [I am just being honest here]
* Applicants that don't mention "I hope to be a part of your program" or something similar in a letter - in general, with some exceptions, they aren't ranking you at the top.
* "Highly" to me means #2, #3, #4 etc
* A letter to the PD that does show strong interest helps if you are in a cluster of fairly similar people on our generated score report. [may bump you a few spots]

Meanwhile as another "PDintheusa":

I don't care whether an applicant writes a followup letter or not,
We will rank upon a applicant's record and our own impressions from interview.
We will not examine a thank you letter or followup letter for code words.

Good luck to everyone.

 

[StringBean]

Meanwhile as another "PDintheusa":

I don't care whether an applicant writes a followup letter or not,
We will rank upon a applicant's record and our own impressions from interview.
We will not examine a thank you letter or followup letter for code words.

Good luck to everyone.

This is good to hear... cuz I just can't stand "the game"!

Another thought... I think it's sort-of tacky to say "i plan to rank you number one" or two, etc. I think there are much less desperate sounding ways to get your point across in a letter without being so "hey, you've won... I pick you, so please pick me too", especially if you've given them a good idea of your thoughts on your interview day. Just my opinion tho!

 

[toughlife]

Agree with this advice. We are meeting with our residents in the next week and will likely draft the list by Feb 1. Most changes after that are minor - based on last minute letters/second look feedback.

In general [I am just being honest here]
* Applicants that don't mention "I hope to be a part of your program" or something similar in a letter - in general, with some exceptions, they aren't ranking you at the top.
* "Highly" to me means #2, #3, #4 etc
* A letter to the PD that does show strong interest helps if you are in a cluster of fairly similar people on our generated score report. [may bump you a few spots]

waht specialty do you recruit for?

 

[MDgonnabe]

Hey all...as the interview season winds down, I FINALLY decided where I want to be, but (obviously) am unsure if they will rank me (the 1st place is I seriously have doubts over since it seemed like it was a courtesy interview).

what's a "courtesy interview?" would a program really interview applicants they had absolutely no intention of ranking? c'mon now.

 

[pdintheusa]

With the faculty time and expense of interviewing [dinners, etc] - I can't believe any programs do 'courtesy interviews' on a regular basis.

We have interviewed students who had a great 4th year rotation with us - students we wouldn't have interviewed if they hadn't done the externship and done a good job. [because of borderline grades, scores, etc]

I am in primary care, and my earlier post should not be construed as that we make major changes in our ROL. Additionally, we do not solicit this information in any way from the applicants.

In general, my other point was that the letters that you write to us, though the polite thing to do, are not going to be a make or break for your application.

The MOST important thing to keep in mind is that you need to construct your ROL as a true "Wish List" - in order, where you most want to be. To do it based on feedback from programs is a BIG MISTAKE - rank where you want to be, and everything else will follow.

I also wish everyone good luck!

 

[kungfufishing]

General Mills Cereals offers an outstanding match correspondence decoder ring (MCDR) for only 5 proofs of purchase. The decoder glasses are quite a few more boxes of cereal, but worth it due to ease of use.

 

[Espion]

General Mills Cereals offers an outstanding match correspondence decoder ring (MCDR) for only 5 proofs of purchase. The decoder glasses are quite a few more boxes of cereal, but worth it due to ease of use.

Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs?

 

[NebelDO]

i dont buy the "im ranking you highly either" if i was told that i wouldnt believe it. i emailed the PD of my #1 and said they were #1 straight up. he emailed back and said that he hopes it works out for both of us but did not give details, this PD follows tha match rules very strictly.