sincere vs. generic letters from programs

[hemoccult]

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Being that the time is winding down along the magical interview trail, I had a question I wanted to pose to the audience...I'm sure many of you have received these "quickly sent out post-interview thank you letters" from places you have interviewed.

The question lies in determining if they are sincere and sent to specific applicants or if they are standard run-of-the-mill letters sent to even the schatt of the barrell. Are some programs sincere vs. others being very generic? If you don't get a letter, is that a cause for concern or should you just say, "what the..."

Any insight on this matter would be great and perhaps even entertaining at the same time. Best luck to all fellow applicants with the match coming up in March.👍

 

[buggs]

I don't know. I have not received any!

I think I'm going to go hang myself.

 

[buggs]

For ye slow-witted. That was a simple jab at the anxiety surrounding the whole process and not an anonymous cry for help.
Thank you.

 

[pre-doc]

I too would like to know what the deal is with these letters. I haven't gotten letters from some programs, which doesn't really worry me, but the ones i got simply said thanks for interviewing. These have my already stressed-out mind working overtime! For instance, my wife is also a medical student. She has gotten several of these letters, several of which have said that she is a "strong candidate" and that they were going to really consider her "when we compile our match list". She is matching into a different field altogether. Now, granted, one of the programs that i interviewed at left a message on my answering machine saying that they ranked me highly and i didn't get a letter from them. Furthermore, i didn't even send them a thank you! Am i just overanalyzing this?

either way, good luck to you all - except of course, if you are ranking the programs that i will be ranking! just kidding of course.

 

[Pilot Doc]

Some programs don't send any letters; some programs send obviously generic letters; some programs send purposefully misleading letters designed to appear sincere, and some programs send sincere letters to people they are really interested in. No way to tell the differenence. Don't sweat it.

 

[shag]

...feels kinda like fraternity/sorority rush, doesn't it?

 

[fourthyear]

Don't waste one bit of your time thinking about these letters or letting them change your rank list at all.

I got one very specific, personal letter, as well as a couple generics last year and it didnt' seem to mean a thing. I didn't match at the one I thought really wanted me. And I know plenty of people who had the same experience. These programs want to fill with people they like, so they have no shame in telling their top 20 how much they really really want them, with the hopes they may get a good 5 of those to match there. Other programs either think they're too good to bother recruiting like this, or they are actually playing by the rules by not sending anything out indicating any hints of promises. It's all one big game. Don't trust any promises or worry about any lack of communication you get from anyone.

Just make your list like you want it, and see what happens on match day.

 

[Foxxy Cleopatra]

Rank them in the order you really want to go.

At my top 2, I received verbal and e-mail statements that they would like to have me at the program, think I would do well there, etc. It was a tough call in the end because I felt that I fit in better with the residents at my #2 but my #1 was very strong in one of the areas where I am particularly interested.

I matched at my #2; though there are times I am not crazy with some of the things that come along with the inner-city environment that it is in, I really like the other residents and feel that the training opportunities are certainly available.

The way I figure, they want us to rank them highly and to fill with their top choices, so take any positive feedback as a good sign but not necessarily a guarantee to match.

good luck

 

[Who'sYourDaddy]

best form of communication: phone call from the chairman/program director saying that they are going to take you.

 

[hemoccult]

Given that "best form of communication"...anybody received any calls from chairs or program directors saying that they are a lock?