Number 2

[Reluctant7]

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I interviewed at 2 places that are very similar in almost all aspects. I know which one I will rank as my number 1. To me, it seems important to communicate my interest in my top 2-3 programs, and if I were a PD, I'd want to know who had a sincere interest in my program (especially if I interviewed 10-15 similarly-credentialled people for every one position). I'm very familiar with the NRMP rules, and don't intend to violate them in any way.

My question is, what do you say to a program that you intend to rank number 2?

Option A: "You're in my top 2" pretty much tells them that they're number 2, not number 1.

Option B: "I will rank you very highly" pretty much tells them nothing. I actualy had a PD tell me this on the interview trail.

Option C: "I intend to rank you second" may be insulting? I don't know. Maybe they would appreciate the honesty. Maybe they don't want you if you rank them anything but number 1.

Option D: Say nothing at all except for "thanks for the interview." This doesn't seem realistic to me.

I appreciate anyone's opinion! Thanks!

-Reluctant

 

[sore eye asses]

I said "rank you very highly" to all but my #1.

I promised my #1 infinite handjobs, impromptu backrubs for attendings and senior residents, an unyielding thirst for knowledge (and gatorade), a pleasant (if not slightly bizarre) demeanor, and daily nappy time preceded by kissy wissy - wherein I would read a lovely short story (usually involving a bunny or small marmot) in the afternoon and tuck each lil' attending into an adorable, hand-fashioned papoose. I would then gently tousle their hair, plant a loving kiss on the corner of each of their mouths (being careful all the while not to use the side of my mouth with fulminant HSV1), and send them sailing off to dreamland. “Sleep, my lil’ attendings,” I would say as I quietly exited the room. “Sleep my lil’ skin princes and princesses.”

I didn’t match at my #1

 

[Reluctant7]

That was over the top

 

[dermathalon]

That was hilarious is what it was!

Thank them for the interview and maybe a few things that your really liked about the program in specific without making the thank you too long or cheesy...I would leave it at that. No one likes to know that they are ranked 2 or to even have it implied. Options A to C are all insulting at some level to the program whether they will admit it or not.

I told my #1 that I intended to rank them #1 and that was it.