Should I send an e-mail to my #1 program???

[thewza]

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Here's a dilemma - What are your opinions?

If I definitely know what my #1 ranked program will be, should I send them an e-mail stating this intention? Is this considered a shady thing to do? Could it help me? Could it hurt me?

My follow up question is: should I send an e-mail to my 2nd and maybe 3rd ranked programs to let them know I will be ranking them very high on my list? Is this a bad idea?

Any guidance would be much appreciated - especially from current residents or attendings.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[axm397]

Here's a dilemma - What are your opinions?

If I definitely know what my #1 ranked program will be, should I send them an e-mail stating this intention? Is this considered a shady thing to do? Could it help me? Could it hurt me?

My follow up question is: should I send an e-mail to my 2nd and maybe 3rd ranked programs to let them know I will be ranking them very high on my list? Is this a bad idea?

Any guidance would be much appreciated - especially from current residents or attendings.

Thanks for your help!!!

I picked my top 3 and wrote them a card (some PDs are older and don't care for email communications - AND, a card can be physically placed into your file. an email may or may not be printed and placed in your file for the whole admission committee to see.) basically I wrote that "having finished all of my interviews, your program still stands out in my mind as one of my top choices". I think you can tell your top choice that they are your top choice - but I would NOT write that to your #2 or 3 - I know of a PD who got upset because someone told her that her programs was her #1 choice and that she would do anything to match there - the PD ranked her highly, and she matched elsewhere. The PD was so upset by the way this applicant acted that when it came time for this person to look for a job in the PD's geographic location, the PD basically blackballed her.

So keep your integrity and try to be honest. I can tell you that I did not tell my PD that RIC was my #1 choice because I knew he really respects the integrity of the match. But there were other programs that recruited strongly (postcards, letters, phone calls, emails, etc.) that wanted to know if they were my first choice before rank list day and I guess if one of them was my top choice, I may have told them.

Hope this helps

 

[Brooklyndo2.1]

when did they start this recruiting circuit?
meaning phone calls etc
most i got out of a couple of places was "write us and tell us how interested you are"

 

[zwasfeli]

Phone calls and letters usually start raining in about now. Not all programs do this and I heard nothing from the place where I evenetually matched. But yes, many places sent typed letters, one place I interviewed I got a handwritten letter notes from the PD, the chiefs, and phone calls. Another, I got a phone call every 2 weeks starting from after my interview until match day!

 

[mehul_25]

I dont think it hurts to communicate with your top choices as long as you are not dishonest or misleading. Particulary if you have a distinct #1, letting them know is okay and might put you over the edge.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

If you have a clear #1, then I think it probably works to your advantage to let them know. I strongly agree with axm, though, that you don't why to lie to anyone, because it could definitely come back to bite you.