So I matched at my home institution and I am thrilled with the final outcome. However, I had not ranked this program as #1, but it was still in my top 5. Now people around me keep asking if I ranked this home program as number 1 and I am having a hard time giving them a good answer. I want to just move forward with the whole rank order list and be happy with my match, but I feel like if I tell people that I, in fact, did not match at my #1 ranked place then its like I’m belittling the program that I matched at. It’s a little superficial but I’m wondering if you guys had any suggestions on how I should answer this question of “was this your number 1 choice?”. I don’t want to keep justifying that oh “i didn’t match at my #1 but its not a big deal and am happy with the final result”.
Post-match communication
- Thread starter OrangeMed
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Depending on who the person is, just say 'No'. If you're terse, hopefully they get the impression you don't care to discuss further.
There is no reason to feel you are belittling the program. It's up to you to decide how you rank places, and there are lots of reasons to rank places in a certain way that doesn't necessarily speak less to a certain program. Maybe you thought your home program is the best program in the world, but you ranked it lower because of geographic concerns. It really doesn't matter tbh.
There is no reason to feel you are belittling the program. It's up to you to decide how you rank places, and there are lots of reasons to rank places in a certain way that doesn't necessarily speak less to a certain program. Maybe you thought your home program is the best program in the world, but you ranked it lower because of geographic concerns. It really doesn't matter tbh.
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Alternatively, just say yes and bury the question for the first year. The only people who will ask you that question that matter are going to be the medical students you're mentoring and that'll be a year or two from now, and then you can be honest and give them whatever advice you'd like. Your peers or your mentors are curious but them knowing doesn't serve any actual useful purpose. No one will know what your rank list looked like but you and good ol' ERAS.
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You can lie or answer honestly. I really don't think it makes any difference in terms of "belittling" the program - you don't have to justify your ROL to anyone.
Also I made sure for this type of reason never to ask anyone where on their ROL they fell to. If they offer the information voluntarily, great, otherwise just congratulate them.
Also I made sure for this type of reason never to ask anyone where on their ROL they fell to. If they offer the information voluntarily, great, otherwise just congratulate them.
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Is there any area where this program was more desirable than the higher ranked programs? You could say, for example, "It was my number one program for fit, though not for location. I'm really happy about the way things ended up!"
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What an incredibly weird thing to ask. It's not really their business anyway. Just say "yeah" and move on.
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1. What you say at future interview dinners: I ranked this place highly because...
2. With close friends: The truth.
3. With friends, peers, colleagues: Whatever satisfies your ego.
I just thought it was disingenous at dinners when people who didn't rank our program #1 said they ranked it #1 because they [insert cliche].
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LOADS of people don't match their #1 and I feel like when people lie it makes it worse for people who don't
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Say yes while you keep looking in their eyes. Try not to blink too often.
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I would tell them it was my number 1 choice and I couldn't be happier. They have no good business to know. They will belittle you (you're not that good, you didn't match at your number 1 place ..) and the institution ( .. they're not good, etc).
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Just tell the truth. Who cares? Can we please just normalize not matching your number one? Not everyone gets their top pick and that goes for students and programs. It’s whatever. I would’ve been stoked for any of my top 10.
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Who cares? Why do you care? You're not going to be fired from your program if you tell them they weren't your top choice. Depending on your specialty, it's highly likely that most people didn't rank that program #1. There's plenty of reasons someone might want to go to a different program that have nothing to do with the program itself or your qualifications for that program. It's ok to feel disappointed, there's nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't go around trashing your current program, but I see no problem talking about your candid experience for those who ask.
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It’s also funny to me when residents say “I chose this place [...].” as if the Match process gives the applicant an actual choice.
