question for resident members

[Coleman]

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Just curious for all of you who have gone through this already, in the final days before submission of the ROL, what did you do in regards to contacting programs? Mind you, we are 22 days and counting until final list submission!

2nd look?
Emailed them all?
Emailed only top 5 or so?
Called top 5?
Called the all?
Sent roses and chocolates?


Thanks

 

[Scrubbs]

Last year around this time I kept saying I was going to 2nd look... never actually did though. But, I did send a few emails to my top programs with the standard blah, blah, blah I'm still really interested stuff. If you were thinking of roses and chocolates, I know a great Philly program that would probably appreciate them 😉 j/k

Seriously... get your list together, maybe email your top 5 programs, if possible second look the top 2-3, and try to relax. Actually, try to relax should be the first thing on your to do list. March may seem far away, but Match Day sort of sneaks up on you... try to enjoy and don't stress!

 

[jpgreer13]

I had a list 10 programs long. I e-mailed number one and told them I was ranking them number one. I e-mailed numbers two through nine and told them I was ranking them "highly". Number ten, I said nothing to.

Number one wasn't impressed. I landed at number three, which was one of the two programs which communicated with me via e-mail (numbers 3 and 4).

Hope that helps you figure out what to do.

 

[beyond all hope]

The second look is not to impress them, it's for you.

You're going to be spending the next several years in that ER. Make sure you're going to enjoy it. I would definately second look at least my top three choices if possible.

As for emails, I called my number one and emailed the top 4-5.

 

[Calistudent]

beyondallhope-
who'd you call?? the PD?
did you straight out tell whoever you were ranking them #1?



anyone have any ethical dilemmas with applicants quantifying their rank order list for programs?



do programs want to hear where they stand with the applicant?

 

[DocWagner]

Trust me, programs know if you are taking a second look...and they will note it.

Emails mean nothing, as it takes no effort.

Cards to interviewers AFTER interviews mean alot...as do personal phone calls.

Second looks and "shadow shifts" show obvious interest and effort by the student.

In the end, you best face should have been seen during the interview and very little can change that.

 

[edinOH]

I sent typed letters to all the programs I was seriously considering shortly after my interview. I called one that I thought would be number one on my list. I essentially told them I was planning to rank them first. The feedback I received over the phone from the PD at that program indicated they were planning on having me there as well. In the end I had a sincere change of heart and ranked them lower. I still wonder if they were surprised I didn't end up there. In the end you really never know, despite what you are told. This shouldn't be news to any of you by now.

I took a couple of second looks. Good thing I did. One visit confirmed the place should be at the top of my list and the other confirmed that they should be ranked in the bottom half.

I ended up matching at my second choice. This also happens to be the place I interviewed at last so when I sent the PD a letter, I was able to confidently state that they would be near the top of my list. This may or may not have played a role in their ranking of me since I was still relatively fresh in their minds when ROLs were submitted.

In the end I really don't know how any of these actions really affect how it all shakes out in the end.

I can tell you however, that based on my own experience interviewing candidates this year, you have a pretty good idea of who you want and don't want by the end of the interview day. You have your handful of superstars and then the rest pretty much look the same. It boils down to who you enjoy talking to and who you think will fit in well. I think we tend to look less at numbers once you are here for the interview and much more at personality and how you conduct yourself. If you did well on your interview, I think a sincere letter stating your desire to attend our program would score you a few spots on the ROL. Of course you would rather match people who want to come to your program than those who would rather not!

 

[Nof55]

This is obviously a stressful time for everyone, try to relax, you've done your work already. I only sent everyone a letter right after I interviewed ( I actually would do them on the plane on my way to my next interview), did not send any further communication. I did 2 second looks at this time. I was having trouble deciding who to rank 1 vs. 2 and my second look at the programs made the decision for me! I agree the second look is only for you, not really the programs.

Nof55

 

[roja]

I concur with the relax sentiment. Its tough to do but you really should try to relax. Match happens and there is an element of voodoo in it. Everyone has a story (second looked, didn't etc)

I sent a hand written card to each program I interviewed at (except one) simply thanking them for the interview and stating something that I liked about the program. I expressed interest in ranking the programs 'highly'.

I did no second looks (it wasn't really feasible for me). My number one choice was also my last interview. I mailed my thank you card after residencies submitted lists. I didn't do a second look, or call. And I matched at my first choice. So I think it doesn't hurt to do all those things but it is also not always necessary.

Second looks, while noted, are really for you. You want a program that will fit your personality. These are people you will be working with for several years. Making sure you like them is kind of important.

 

[srlondon]

I agree with some of the other posters in regard to the fact that talk is cheap. Emails and letters are great and all, but nothing tells a program director that you're interested in a program like taking the effort to go back when you're out of the spotlight.

This is a worthwhile experience for more than making points... you can really see whether you fit in someplace when you aren't getting sold on it as hard as you were during your interview. For me, it really sealed the deal on my #1 choice.

It might also be helpful if you're still having some doubts about a couple of places. Most program directors are more than welcoming.