Question about informing your programs

[Messerschmitts]

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I have just sent an email to my #1 choice informing them of my intention. My question is, should I email my other top choices to tell them I will be ranking them highly? My fear is that if they get such an email, they may immediately interpret it as "Oh, he's not ranking us #1 after all!", and that perhaps it would be better not to have sent anything at all. On the other hand plenty of people do not match into their #1 choice, so perhaps it is prudent to let your choices 2 through 5 know you think well of them as well. What are general thoughts? Thank you!

 

[trophyhusband]

I have just sent an email to my #1 choice informing them of my intention. My question is, should I email my other top choices to tell them I will be ranking them highly? My fear is that if they get such an email, they may immediately interpret it as "Oh, he's not ranking us #1 after all!", and that perhaps it would be better not to have sent anything at all. On the other hand plenty of people do not match into their #1 choice, so perhaps it is prudent to let your choices 2 through 5 know you think well of them as well. What are general thoughts? Thank you!

I'd say the same thing I said to my wife. You're overthinking this... I highly doubt PD's really expect that everyone who matches into their program will have them ranked as #1. I also doubt the program move you up or down on their ROL based on where you have them ranked.

So just tell you're #1 that they're number #1 and tell everyone else that you're ranking them highly.

Those are my thoughts anyway.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

I'd say the same thing I said to my wife. You're overthinking this... I highly doubt PD's really expect that everyone who matches into their program will have them ranked as #1. I also doubt the program move you up or down on their ROL based on where you have them ranked.

So just tell you're #1 that they're number #1 and tell everyone else that you're ranking them highly.

Those are my thoughts anyway.

Not only do we not care, we're also at times disinclined to believe it...
No one moves from middle-third to top-third to "ranked to match" just because they sent a note saying "You're my top choice".
The only times post-interview communication even gets mentioned in our ranking meeting is when it has been so bizarre or unintelligible that we've dropped the applicant.

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Not only do we not care, we're also at times disinclined to believe it...
No one moves from middle-third to top-third to "ranked to match" just because they sent a note saying "You're my top choice".
The only times post-interview communication even gets mentioned in our ranking meeting is when it has been so bizarre or unintelligible that we've dropped the applicant.

Post-ranking meeting thoughts:
1) we definitely were putting people in the order we want them. The only applicant bumped down for indicating they might prefer someplace else was a person who was so blantantly obnoxious as to actively recruit for another program on their interview day with us. 🙄
2) the only mentions of post-interview communication were negative--applicants who were acting in an extremely needy manner, perseverating on getting a prematch offer, calling the chief excessively.

So...relax?

 

[psychattending]

Don't be worried too much about what the program thinks about your communication. While we love to hear that an applicant has us down as #1, we realize that we cannot be everyone's #1 program. Above all don't misinform. If a program is not your number one, don't tell them that they are.

 

[atsai3]

I have just sent an email to my #1 choice informing them of my intention. My question is, should I email my other top choices to tell them I will be ranking them highly? My fear is that if they get such an email, they may immediately interpret it as "Oh, he's not ranking us #1 after all!", and that perhaps it would be better not to have sent anything at all. On the other hand plenty of people do not match into their #1 choice, so perhaps it is prudent to let your choices 2 through 5 know you think well of them as well. What are general thoughts? Thank you!

We don't rank based on what applicants think of us. We put the ranks in as we want to rank them.

-AT.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Hmm...in that case I think I'm not going to send any of the other programmes any more correspondance for fear of shooting myself in the foot by saying too much. Insh'allah from this point forward, I guess.

 

[GoBruins17]

Hey, Messerschmitts, I have a bit of a different take on this...I would actually like to not contact anyone, but for a couple of my top programs I have received quite a bit of contact (multiple phone calls and emails from program directors, assitant program directors, and interfviewers) and felt like they were fishing for my level of interest. I responded with short, professional emails thanking them for their inquiries and stating that I'd be thrilled to end up at their program (and I meant it). I've had similar contact from programs I'm not so keen on, and have not responded.

That's just me.

 

[psychotrope]

Not only do we not care, we're also at times disinclined to believe it...
No one moves from middle-third to top-third to "ranked to match" just because they sent a note saying "You're my top choice".
The only times post-interview communication even gets mentioned in our ranking meeting is when it has been so bizarre or unintelligible that we've dropped the applicant.

this varies from program to program though......

there is one program(probably not a top 20 program but definately a top 35 or so program) that filled at #19 last year. I know of a guy who matched there, and there is *no way* he would have been ranked #19 or lower(the program has around 10ish slots) out of the 90 or so people they interviewed if they weren't taking interest into account.

 

[psychotrope]

I have just sent an email to my #1 choice informing them of my intention.

can we even do that? I thought that was some kind of violation or something?

curious though...who are you ranking #1?

 

[psychattending]

You are allowed to provide information to somebody about what you are going to do. What is not allowed is to make the provision of the information (or provision of the ranking) contingent on something of the other party or ask the other party what they are going to do.


This is section six of the NRMP Match agreement:

One of the purposes of the Matching Program is to allow both applicants and programs to make selection decisions on a uniform schedule and without coercion or undue or unwarranted pressure. Both applicants and programs may express their interest in each other; however, they shall not solicit verbal or written statements implying a commitment. Applicants shall at all times be free to keep confidential the names or identities of programs to which they have or may apply. In addition, it is a breach of the applicable Match Participation Agreement for:

(a) a program to request applicants to reveal ranking preferences; or

(b) an applicant or program to suggest or inform the other that placement on a rank order list is contingent upon submission of a verbal or written statement indicating ranking preferences; or

(c) a program to require applicants to reveal the names or identities of programs to which they have or may apply; or

(d) a program and an applicant in the Matching Program to make any verbal or written contract for appointment to a concurrent year residency or fellowship position prior to the release of the List of Unfilled Programs.

 

[Sneezing]

Hmm...in that case I think I'm not going to send any of the other programmes any more correspondance for fear of shooting myself in the foot by saying too much. Insh'allah from this point forward, I guess.

This is what I'm doing. I hope it doesn't affect anything. I haven't been in contact with some programs for months (since I interviewed)! I went to the interview and got all the information I needed on the program and have since been waiting for the match to do its thing.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Hey, Messerschmitts, I have a bit of a different take on this...I would actually like to not contact anyone, but for a couple of my top programs I have received quite a bit of contact (multiple phone calls and emails from program directors, assitant program directors, and interfviewers) and felt like they were fishing for my level of interest. I responded with short, professional emails thanking them for their inquiries and stating that I'd be thrilled to end up at their program (and I meant it). I've had similar contact from programs I'm not so keen on, and have not responded.

That's just me.

Wow I wish I had your "problem", ha ha. Lucky you, I have not been quite as aggressively pursued by programmes. I guess just cross our fingers for the match.

 

[wanderlust10]

Is there anyone else out there that hasn't figured out what their rank list is (especially their first choice)?

I feel worried about not figuring it out as it seems to be that so many people have already 1) figured it out, and 2) told the program of their dreams that they are, indeed, the program of their dreams. I think I might be the person who doesn't know until the 11th hour what my rank list is going to look like...and it is very hard to tell if this puts me at a disadvantage...

 

[Sophie]

Is there anyone else out there that hasn't figured out what their rank list is (especially their first choice)?

I feel worried about not figuring it out as it seems to be that so many people have already 1) figured it out, and 2) told the program of their dreams that they are, indeed, the program of their dreams. I think I might be the person who doesn't know until the 11th hour what my rank list is going to look like...and it is very hard to tell if this puts me at a disadvantage...

Another way to look at this is that you liked several programs and feel you would be happy at any of them, but no one program stands out. If that's the case, it's not a bad position to be in at all, since you're not getting your heart set on that one dream program. Regarding telling your #1 program that they're #1, I seriously doubt that changes your position on their rank list much (if at all), so you should be fine there, as well.