I have read all these posts about getting chairmen and PDs to make phone calls on his or her behalf, and if I really cared that much about "playing the game", it would probably infuriate me.
I had never heard or fathomed to think of asking chairmen or PD's or anyone for that matter to make a phone call and "get me in" my first choice. I actually heard about people doing that during my last interview day. I may be totally naive, and it may come back to bite me that I didn't "play the game" of getting the big-wigs to get me in somewhere. However, if the same guys that wrote letters on my behalf and if the rest of my application, achievements, and interview doesn't speak for itself of what kind of resident and surgeon I will be, then I don't think I'd want to match at that program. I certainly wrote my thank you letters and expressed my sincere intentions of where I planned to rank my favorite programs, but thats the extent of my "political campaign" to the whole process.
May come back to bite me in the end as I don't doubt there probably is a lot of behind the scenes stuff that takes place during the rank meetings. I just don't think I'd ever be happy with myself knowing that I didn't get into one of the programs of my choice because I didn't jump through the appropriate hoops. Also, how could I ask my own PD or chair to get me in somewhere when they are recruiting me too?
I'm sure there are varying opinions out there and I'd be interested to read some of them. I'm certainly not knocking anyone who had people make these phone calls to "grease the wheels" of the program of his or her choice. Just my own opinion and perspective. Any thoughts?
