Jinx to reveal ROL after lists are due?

[Babycatcher2B]

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Now that ROL's are finally turned in and people are a little less uptight and hushed about their plans for residency, people are starting to ask about where others hope to go. Does anyone think it is jinx to reveal how you ranked programs at this point? I know it sounds stupid but I heard this from one of my classmates who didn't want to tip his hand about where he wants to go. I've told some of my friends/classmates about where I'd hope to go and others have also told me. However, since there is nothing else to freak out about now, I'm hoping I haven't jinxed anything by revealing some of my top choices to my classmates. I know it sounds crazy, but I'm a neurotic med student who seems to freak out about everything.

 

[Samoa]

I've never heard that. But I never cease to be amazed at how superstitious people are in this profession.

In any event, I've shared my whole list with close friends and family--as well as some not-so-close friends. Last time I didn't, and didn't match. So perhaps it jinxed me not to. If you believe that stuff.

 

[Bill_Brasky]

magical thinking, so much for scientific reasoning

 

[Abram Hoffer]

magical thinking, so much for scientific reasoning

It's like religion. Helps explain those things we cannot fully understand. I've revealed my ROL to friends and family. If I don't match, I now know why. 😉

 

[dreamfox]

Oh man, you're in trouble! Just make sure to not step on any cracks or you won't match and you'll break your Mom's back. Just don't change your underwear until march 19th and you're golden.

 

[error404]

I think many people don't reveal their rank lists so that when they open their envelope, they can say, "woot! Alaska! That was totally my top choice!" regardless of what it might have been.

(Clearly, I'm an anti-Alaskan troll. Apologies.)

As for the whole, "revealing my list can actually go back and change my chances," see magical thinking. See also, schizotypal.

I've told many people IRL my rank list, but still feel weird about posting it on SDN. Do I really think it will change my chances? No.

 

[Charmed2009]

I think many people don't reveal their rank lists so that when they open their envelope, they can say, "woot! Alaska! That was totally my top choice!" regardless of what it might have been.

Agreed.

see magical thinking. See also, schizotypal.

Agreed.

I can't quite make the connection that if I don't keep my ROL secret the NRMP computers will magically change my match position... (or worse yet, make me unmatched).

 

[Bill_Brasky]

It's like religion. Helps explain those things we cannot fully understand.

 

[Law2Doc]

...Does anyone think it is jinx to reveal how you ranked programs at this point?...

Yes. But for $1500, I would be happy to perform the ritual necessary to remove the curse. Paypal and credit cards welcome. 😀

 

[Old_Mil]

...only if you plan on being one of those people who tells everyone you matched at your first choice regardless of where you're going.

 

[Miami_med]

...only if you plan on being one of those people who tells everyone you matched at your first choice regardless of where you're going.

In which case, you probably suck 😉

 

[Amoeba]

Just my personal opinion, but I think it's been really kind of cool that people at my school have been pretty open about at least the top of their lists. After 4 years of generally holding our cards pretty close, the past few weeks (even extending before lists were actually due) have had a nice 'all in this together' kind of feel. People do seem to want the whole class to do well and for classmates to end up where want to go. Maybe it's late and brief, but still nice.

 

[Law2Doc]

... People do seem to want the whole class to do well and for classmates to end up where want to go. ...

It's easy to say/feel this once the die is cast. There is no competition at this point, so might as well hope that everyone wins. ..

 

[YOOOUK09]

I think it should be considered impolite to ask people directly about their ROL.

So many people have come up to me and asked "What your list?"

People should understand that this is a stressful time, and just give MS4's their space.

 

[peerie]

I don't necessarily tell people what my top programs are. Alot of people I don't know well ask me and want to know intimate details. I am polite but I dissemble and tell them vague things. It's not really any of their business, so I talk in generalities or region, quality, etc.

People I am close to do not ask necessarily where I want to go, but are more concerned about how I feel about the program, will I be happy, etc.

The people I am thiscloseto, they already know. 🙂

 

[BlondeDocteur]

Buy me a coke.

 

[Mistress S]

I agree that it is kind of a personal question. If you want to share, good on you, but I feel a little uncomfortable. I mean, I have no problem telling people my top 5 (not necessarily in order), but then some people will get really specific and want to know the exact order of your list, which I think is a bit too much if we're not close. Also, I have talked to most of the other people at my school going into my specialty and unfortunately, many have the same 2 places as their top choices, which does create a weird vibe when it comes up (since neither of these programs historically takes more than a couple people from my school, and at least half a dozen have ranked them as their #1 and 2). It's nice to hear what other people are doing but I personally don't ask anyone the exact order of their list and I wish they'd return the favor.

 

[akpete]

So I'm superjinxed... I posted my rank list on Facebook. Mainly so that I can avoid having to answer 500 billion times a day "What's your rank list?" esp for family members.

 

[soulofmpatel]

...I never cease to be amazed at how superstitious people are in this profession.

Yeah...like if you say "it's a rather quiet call night," residents with shush you with genuine contempt as though they truly believe that your words will affect the rate of admissions. This blows my mind. You might as well tell me you believe in Santa Claus. It's florid psychosis!

 

[Samoa]

Yeah...like if you say "it's a rather quiet call night," residents with shush you with genuine contempt as though they truly believe that your words will affect the rate of admissions. This blows my mind. You might as well tell me you believe in Santa Claus. It's florid psychosis!

I know. I say that all the time, and yet my white cloud remains right overhead.