match/interviews etiquette - rules

[larryj]

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How can an applicant communicate with programs, within nrmp rules, to indicate a program is their top choice, or one of the top?

Are there certain "no no's"? that an applicant should avoid saying?

 

[ckent]

Applicants frequently tell programs that they are very interested in coming to their program. It helps if you can give them specific reasons why you want to come to their program too (ie family in the area, wife moving out here, want to work with a specific attending etc). No, no's include telling programs that you are going to rank them no. one as that is technically against the nrmp rules. Programs also should not tell you that you will definitely match, but I have heard of programs that do this and then these students don't match because they were mislead by the program and didn't rank enough programs.

 

[Samir Desai]

I agree with ckent's comments. If you are interested in a program, by all means, let them know of your interest. Remember that everyone wants to feel wanted and residency programs are no exception.

It is not unusual for program directors to tell applicants that they plan to rank them highly or that "you will definitely match into our program". Many students have gotten themselves in trouble by taking too much stock in this type of statement. You may be flattered by their expression of interest but remember that these words (written or spoken) are not a binding committment.

What has happened in the past is that students have let such comments influence their rank list (either changing the order of their rank list or creating a rank list that is too short). When match time came around, some of these students were surprised to learn that they didn't match at all. To avoid this type of situation, don't base your rank list on any comments you receive from the programs - always base it on the factors that are important to you.

Samir Desai, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

 

[huktonfonix]

I think that its illegal to solicit information (i.e. where will you rank me), but it should be ok to tell someone you will rank them highly

 

[Adawaal]

huktonfonix is absolutely correct. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard someone passing along this old chestnut of information, I'd be able to pay off my $200K in student loans....

A candidate may NOT ask a program to indicate where s/he will be ranked. A program may NOT make a similar inquiry of candidates. However, any party may unilaterally indicate their interest to the other, and as specifically as they wish to make it. A candidate may even make a 20-minute video of themselves rounding in nothing but a G-string, fishnet stockings, 5-inch stilletto heels and pasties with flaming tassels while repeating a limerick about how Program X is their #1 choice on their ROL. 😱

Hopefully by now all actors in this melodrama are sharp enough to know that they should not believe a word anyone offers about their level of interest.

Adawaal

P.S. $100 to a copy of above video should anyone be brave enough to try this.