How to respond to a PD letter of interest for a program you're not interested in

[sandler743]

So, I received an email basically telling me that they really liked me and would like to see me as part of their next class and do I have any last minute questions about the program blah blah.

I'm not ranking the program high, how would you respond?

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[JacobMcCandles]

Politely. You don't have to tell them you're not interested, they'll figure that out on Match Day. Tell them you enjoyed your interview there and their continued interest in you.

 

[Law2Doc]

So, I received an email basically telling me that they really liked me and would like to see me as part of their next class and do I have any last minute questions about the program blah blah.

I'm not ranking the program high, how would you respond?

Careful. Almost every year there will be someone who free falls down to the bottom of their match list and if they are lucky ends up barely avoiding the scramble thanks to a program like this. I would probably send a nice fluff email saying how much you enjoyed meeting them and learning about their program, and how it seemed like a great work environment, yadda, yadda, yadda.

 

[Saluki]

I didn't reply to one I got a couple weeks ago, and after reading Law2Doc's response, I'm a little worried. But my advisor read it and thought it didn't require a response...

Oh well- too late to do anything about it now....

 

[turkeyjerky]

Careful. Almost every year there will be someone who free falls down to the bottom of their match list and if they are lucky ends up barely avoiding the scramble thanks to a program like this. I would probably send a nice fluff email saying how much you enjoyed meeting them and learning about their program, and how it seemed like a great work environment, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Agree 100%. Play the Game.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Agree 100%. Play the Game.

👍

 

[IDBasco]

What if you receive a letter and they spell your name wrong?

 

[turkeyjerky]

What if you receive a letter and they spell your name wrong?

Just use their misspelled version of your name in all future correspondence w/ them.

 

[HumbleMD]

Should we reply if it's a generic snail-mail letter? Similarly, I received a phonecall from a resident who left a message asking if I had any questions. Do I have to call back? I don't have any questions.
I've been screening my phonecalls lately, so have been avoiding most conversations from my not #1 schools, but they finally got a hold of me - dar!

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

damn, i never had PDs blowin my phone up. 😡

If it's just about asking q's and you don't have any... just tell them your q's were answered and that you grately appreciate the kind gesture.

if they misspell your name, well, i guess it depends on how badly the misspell was... it was likely a typo... i prolly wouldnt go as far as turkey's reply but i wouldnt bring it up...

even to generic emails, i'd reply back, thanking them for the email and that you really enjoyed your time there and are looking forward to the potential of being a resident there.

it's all smoke-screen... they do it, you got to do it too... play the game to win the game.

 

[Law2Doc]

...
it's all smoke-screen... they do it, you got to do it too... play the game to win the game.

it's basically a singles bar scene -- you try to chat up everyone because at closing time after you get shot down by the ones you are really attracted to, you never really know what straggler is going to have to suffice.

 

[HumbleMD]

So you're saying the match is like final car on a Saturday night?

I guess it could be worse. Our dean trains us well that anything short of rank to match is meaningless, and even that isn't a guarantee. I'm just trying to play this correctly so I don't reveal that they are NOT my number one (which is clearly what they're fishing for). At the same time, a non-response could send a strong message.

So, do you think a snail mail letter from the PD necessitates a response? Similarly, do you think a phonecall and voicemail from a resident necessitates a call-back? She said she was on nights and I'd hate to wake her up.

 

[2012mdc]

damn, i never had PDs blowin my phone up. 😡

If it's just about asking q's and you don't have any... just tell them your q's were answered and that you grately appreciate the kind gesture.

if they misspell your name, well, i guess it depends on how badly the misspell was... it was likely a typo... i prolly wouldnt go as far as turkey's reply but i wouldnt bring it up...

even to generic emails, i'd reply back, thanking them for the email and that you really enjoyed your time there and are looking forward to the potential of being a resident there.

it's all smoke-screen... they do it, you got to do it too... play the game to win the game.

HELLOOOO! You Play. To Win. The Game

So you're saying the match is like final car on a Saturday night?

I guess it could be worse. Our dean trains us well that anything short of rank to match is meaningless, and even that isn't a guarantee. I'm just trying to play this correctly so I don't reveal that they are NOT my number one (which is clearly what they're fishing for). At the same time, a non-response could send a strong message.

So, do you think a snail mail letter from the PD necessitates a response? Similarly, do you think a phonecall and voicemail from a resident necessitates a call-back? She said she was on nights and I'd hate to wake her up.

If it's generic snail mail you can just respond with a generic thank you. I would call her back during the nightime. She's unlikely to answer and you can leave a message. I definitely wouldn't call during the day.

 

[jcu]

If you have the e-mail contact of aforementioned resident, I'd preferentially do that in lieu of a phone call which may be awkward just to say thanks.