Rank List: Who to put down?

[Tiltnpse]

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Okay, admittedly, this is a bit of a stupid question, but I figure I'll confirm it here.

When it comes down to selecting programs to rank, you can only rank the ones you interviewed at, right?

Our school hasn't given us too many talks about this topic yet and I was a bit confused.

 

[lord_jeebus]

You can rank any program in any specialty, even if you didn't apply, but what's the point?

 

[Tiltnpse]

I've heard stories where away applicants are sometimes not offered interviews because the rotation "counted" as their interview.

Would you rank that or is it considered a bad sign once you aren't offered that interview along with the other applicants?

 

[Winged Scapula]

You can rank any program that participates in the match.

If you did not interview at a program, you will not be ranked by the program, so your rank is "wasted".

Do not believe urban legends or unusual anecdotes where people who have rotated somewhere are somehow not offered an interview but are for some reason ranked. If this really happens, I'd suspect it is an extreme rarity and in that case, handled on a case by case basis.

Thus, only rank programs you actually interview at.

 

[Tiltnpse]

Thus, only rank programs you actually interview at.

Ahh I see. Thanks!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I've heard stories where away applicants are sometimes not offered interviews because the rotation "counted" as their interview.

If this is the case, the program will tell you so. I've done this in a few cases -- someone is rotating with us for a month, lives on the other coast, meets with me, and we consider them interviewed. In this case, I tell them specifically: "This counts as your interview, there is no need to return for our full interview day. However, if you want more experience with our program, or your SO would like to come and visit, we would be happy to have you back on one of our official interview days."

If there is any question, you can always contact the PA of the program who should be able to tell you.

 

[Tiltnpse]

Gotcha, thanks for all the help.

Now for a completely unrelated question, I was thinking of applying to both prelim medicine and transitional years. How many of each do applicants typically apply to?

 

[sestamibi]

1. Only rank programs that you've interviewed at.

2. How many prelims you apply to is based on how competitive you are as an applicant and how competitive the place you're applying to is (name, reputation, location, cushiness)