How to respond ?

[Chirurgia magna]

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Hi SDN peeps,

So it's the last week before the match list is certified. I have interviewed at several programs that I consider to be top notch (for my stats). I would be extremely happy at five of them but have my top choice too. The problem is that I have received a couple of voice mails while I am on clinical duties from PD or chair and I don't know if I should call them back or send them an email or letter.

I would love to say that I greatly appreciate the opportunity and would love to go there but I know they are on my top five not first on my rank list. Would you advise to wait until the match is closed and send them a thank you letter or reply now and say that they are still high on my list? I would prefer not to kill my chances at these programs but at the same time I would not want to lie to them either.

Arghhhh so many decisions. Thanks in advance

 

[Dr Daneeka]

That is a nice problem to have. Congrats.

I'm not sure there is a "right way" to respond. I have been sending emails back to programs that are lower on my list saying thank you and that I am flattered and that I would enjoy training there and wishing them the best on Match day. I don't think you have to wait. I doubt many program will change their rank list after the committee meets and the PD calls applicants.

 

[HitGirl]

Hi SDN peeps,

So it's the last week before the match list is certified. I have interviewed at several programs that I consider to be top notch (for my stats). I would be extremely happy at five of them but have my top choice too. The problem is that I have received a couple of voice mails while I am on clinical duties from PD or chair and I don't know if I should call them back or send them an email or letter.

I would love to say that I greatly appreciate the opportunity and would love to go there but I know they are on my top five not first on my rank list. Would you advise to wait until the match is closed and send them a thank you letter or reply now and say that they are still high on my list? I would prefer not to kill my chances at these programs but at the same time I would not want to lie to them either.

Arghhhh so many decisions. Thanks in advance

As stressful as this may be -- if they don't here from you they will think you're not interested. And although they may not be in your top 5, there are no guarantees in the Match and it may be in your best interest to make sure you have all your bases covered. If you don't feel comfortable calling the PDs back then just send them an email (though calling would probably be best.)

 

[goooooober]

As stressful as this may be -- if they don't here from you they will think you're not interested. And although they may not be in your top 5, there are no guarantees in the Match and it may be in your best interest to make sure you have all your bases covered. If you don't feel comfortable calling the PDs back then just send them an email (though calling would probably be best.)

Agree. Play every interview like it is your only one. Be humble, respectful, and grateful, and yes, respond. You do not have to commit anything. Just say that you are grateful for the opportunity to interview at their program. You were very impressed by the people and training provided there. You will consider them very highly in the coming match. That's it money.

Now, go deliver.

 

[Chirurgia magna]

Agree. Play every interview like it is your only one. Be humble, respectful, and grateful, and yes, respond. You do not have to commit anything. Just say that you are grateful for the opportunity to interview at their program. You were very impressed by the people and training provided there. You will consider them very highly in the coming match. That's it money.

Now, go deliver.

Nicely put. That is money. Thank you.

I am the type of person that does not like to burn bridges and would like to continue networking with some of the chairs and PDs especially since it's a very small world and sooner or later I might ask for a job or a fellowship. And some of the PDs have gone out of their way in welcoming me. I know it's their job but there are a few I am extremely grateful to have crossed paths and would love to continue to maintain correspondence and networking.

Thanks for the input.

 

[goooooober]

Nicely put. That is money. Thank you.

I am the type of person that does not like to burn bridges and would like to continue networking with some of the chairs and PDs especially since it's a very small world and sooner or later I might ask for a job or a fellowship. And some of the PDs have gone out of their way in welcoming me. I know it's their job but there are a few I am extremely grateful to have crossed paths and would love to continue to maintain correspondence and networking.

Thanks for the input.

You will only be amazed in the future how often you will keep running into these people again and again and again, when they come and give lectures at your program, when you go to national or even regional meetings. Oh yea, then there is the whole fellowship thing.

You got the right attitude. I would say the most important thing that got me into my first choice for residency was interviewing well. It may sound easy, but, it is not. Showing enthusiasm 😉 to every program you visit and making sure you conduct yourself humble 😳 and charismatic 😀, while not revealing your game plan 😎 but not lying either 😛 is key.

 

[MrBigLips]

That is a nice problem to have. Congrats..

👍

 

[Dr.LeoSpaceman]

I'd call them back (at least, that's what I did). Let them know you appreciate the phone call, that you enjoyed the opportunity to interview, that you liked X,Y,Z about their program, and that you think you'd be very happy at their program but you haven't made any final decisions about your list yet.

It's a rock and a hard place. Yes, if they are looking for the "I ranked you #1", they aren't going to get it. But if you don't respond, they are going to figure that out anyway (and perhaps decide not even to rank you competitively since you didn't think enough of the program to at least respond).

 

[Guile]

Hi SDN peeps,

So it's the last week before the match list is certified. I have interviewed at several programs that I consider to be top notch (for my stats). I would be extremely happy at five of them but have my top choice too. The problem is that I have received a couple of voice mails while I am on clinical duties from PD or chair and I don't know if I should call them back or send them an email or letter.

I would love to say that I greatly appreciate the opportunity and would love to go there but I know they are on my top five not first on my rank list. Would you advise to wait until the match is closed and send them a thank you letter or reply now and say that they are still high on my list? I would prefer not to kill my chances at these programs but at the same time I would not want to lie to them either.

Arghhhh so many decisions. Thanks in advance

What would be best is for you to record whatever it is you do and then report the result here (I did xyz and matched at my #1/2/3/etc), so that next year when the next crop of applicants is asking similar questions we can point them to your thread. An N of 1 is >0, at least. It's your chance to create new knowledge.

 

[MrBigLips]

It's your chance to create new knowledge.

👍