post interview exchange

[Da Vinci2]

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Hi, I got an interest letter from my top choice. Its a good program which I will very likely rank #1 as well. I was just wondering, as my number 1 choice on my ROL, how likely am I to end up there since I have been specifically contacted (I will do a second look as well)? Should I go on to more interviews just to secure a residency spot (at places I am not as happy to go to)? I will rank my home program 2nd (which also wants me to stay)- does that translate to me very likely to end up either there or my home program? After seeing how much I can dislike some programs even only after one day of interviewing, I just don't want to scramble.

 

[exjersey]

Ranking only 2 programs could really backfire on you - the letter of interest from the program is flattering, but has to be taken with a grain of salt. Ranking at least 5-6 programs should make you safe from the scramble. "Rank all acceptable programs" is the mantra that keeps getting repeated.

 

[Da Vinci2]

Oh, I will rank at least 5. I will be happy to go to any of the 5 but will be most happy for the 2. I was just wondering how likely am I to end up at my top 2 (they are both high end 2nd tier programs).

 

[exjersey]

Not sure what the specific numbers are for IM, but I've heard that roughly 70% match top two and 80-85% top 3, so the odds are in your favor.

 

[ckent]

Yup, I agree, the odds are definitely in your favor. Most people that I have talked who weren't also ranking schools like MGH or Hopkins got their first choice in IM. I would rank at least five, if not more, to be safe though. Also, you should realize that going to the second choice is not supposed to increase or have any bearing on your standing on the school's rank list according to PD's that I have talked to (apparently, this was agreed upon at some AAMC meeting, the second look is solely for your benefit, and at many programs, the PD's say that most of their interns didn't do the second look). If you still have some interviews coming up, I would still go to them unless you have heard negative things about them, because the potential benefit of going and finding a program that you love is usually far greater then the interview cost.