Rank order list

[pcguy2]

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if schools are allowed to see my rank order list. Lets say that for example, I really want to be in Houston, TX.

Could I rank (just an example)

Baylor, Gen surgery
Baylor, Ortho
Baylor, Internal
University of Texas, Gen surgery
University of Texas, Ortho
University of Texas, Internal

Or something like that to increase my chances of being in that city? Just want to make sure that the schools don't see that I'm ranking more than 1 specialty in my top choices. (Or does that even matter)

Hope I don't sound crazy 🙂

 

[RTrain]

No, programs cannot see your rank order list.

But if you are interviewing for more than one program in the same institution, especially if they are completely unrelated to each other, word could easily get around and all programs could end up thinking that you aren't serious about their field (and it seems as though they would be right) and would not rank you highly, seeing you as a flight risk.

 

[pcguy2]

Flight risk? Doesn't wanting to be at a specific area mean I'm not likely to leave?

 

[RTrain]

Flight risk? Doesn't wanting to be at a specific area mean I'm not likely to leave?

A flight risk for the program. Programs want people who are committed to training and practicing in their field. If you don't care what type of training you're getting, then there's not really anything to keep you in the program if the going gets tough.

For example, imagine that the field that you really feel committed to, what you dream of doing with your life, is general surgery. But at this point, living in Houston is more important than having a satisfying career. So you match in pediatrics somewhere in Houston. You continue to love where you live, but you despise peds every day. So you leave your peds program the minute something in surgery opens up. If programs know you are applying to every program in every field in their city, they will have visions of that very scenario, and will be less likely to take you.

 

[barcalounger]

Well put by RTrain. Making it known that you are interviewing in multiple specialties like that is a great way for all the programs involved not to rank you.

 

[buckley]

Agree. I really wanted to do neurology but also would not have minded going into internal medicine as a "fallback" (n.b. it's only a fallback to me because i really love neuro) as opposed to not matching at all. However, a mentor told me that applying to both would make me seem indecisive and uncommitted.