ranking is a very difficult thing. my PD always compared it to getting married after a single date. and, it really isn't even a single date, as there are lots of applicants and interviewers!
as far as interest helping....it sure doesn't hurt! i think it is impossible to say how far up a list you can move by being interested, or how far down you can go by not showing interest. the way i would look at it, is the more you see of a program, the more you can learn about the program, and the program can learn about you.
truly, the interview day is the most important. we look at your application, you talk to people, answer questions, etc....then, we sit down and try to figure out where you fit compared to other applicants. if you are a fun person to be around, and seem enthusiastic and like a hard worker that gets along with everyone, you really do have it made. so, focus on interview day.
i think the smart applicant treats every program like a program they will rank highly. there is no reason to not follow up with an email or a note at each program. they way you contact us makes zero difference. if you want to come back, great! it won't hurt if you don't, but it will help us see you a bit more, and it will help you get a better feel for the program. and, being interested is never a negative.
the ranking/matching process is strongly weighted in the applicant's favor. i would not worry so much about moving up or down an iota on a list by sending an email vs making a phone call. just be honest, express gratitude and interest, and be a person that we want to work with. if you do that, all the rest will fall into place.
good luck
As the interview season is coming to a close, I am wondering how programs rank applicants. How much does an applicant's interest in the program affect the way in which they are ranked? Do programs see highly desired applicants and then say "they haven't shown any interest, so we will rank he/she lower." And then see a less desired applicant and then say "they have showed so much interest and want to be here, so we will rank he/she higher." Also, which is the best way to show a program you are interested? Emails, letters of interests, 2nd looks, calling the PD, contacting residents post-interview? Also, how far done my rank list should I put out alot of effort to show that I am interested in their program. I've been told that 2nd looks are not expected but does the program look at a person who has done a 2nd look as being more interested and does that subsequently change their rank. Also I've heard that 2nd looks should be only used for the applicants advantage to determine how they will rank programs. I know this has been discussed some before. But I was wondering if I show alot of interest in a program will that change my ranking or is all the damage already done with the interview. I'd appreciate any insight.