Tell a program you're ranking them #1?

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sore eye asses

Full Member
10+ Year Member
If you've decided on your #1, should you tell them so?

Helpful? Damaging?

I've heard different things and would like the advice of the already matched.

Thanks.
 
sore eye asses said:
If you've decided on your #1, should you tell them so?

Helpful? Damaging?

I've heard different things and would like the advice of the already matched.

Thanks.
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I don't think it really matters.

I told my #1 that they were #1, they sent a cordial reply email and I still didn't end up matching there.

I told my #2 that they were "very highly ranked", they never responded, I ended up matching there 😛
 
asmallchild said:
I don't think it really matters.

I told my #1 that they were #1, they sent a cordial reply email and I still didn't end up matching there.

I told my #2 that they were "very highly ranked", they never responded, I ended up matching there 😛
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thanks! this is the sort of specific info I was lookin for.
 
i told my top three they were high ranked/at the top of the list... as i recall, i didn't decide my #1 until late in the game so i couldn't tell any one of them i was ranking them 1. it depends on the program whether or not this will help you at all, but i don't think it hurts you anywhere.
 
I told my #1 they were #1 and they said "thanks for telling us." Nothing else. No further communication. I ended up matching there.

My advisor told me that programs often do NOT like to hear that "they are ranked in the top ___on your match list." He said it makes you sound arrogant and does not make them want to move you up on their match list...in contrast, some programs DEFINITELY DO move you up on the rank list if you tell them you will rank them #1 (ie. not #2, not #3, not "top 3"). I know this latter fact 1st hand: my TY program director told me that telling him that we were ranking them #1 helped me and my S.O. couples match there.
 
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Tamahawk said:
I told my #1 they were #1 and they said "thanks for telling us." Nothing else. No further communication. I ended up matching there.

My advisor told me that programs often do NOT like to hear that "they are ranked in the top ___on your match list." He said it makes you sound arrogant and does not make them want to move you up on their match list...in contrast, some programs DEFINITELY DO move you up on the rank list if you tell them you will rank them #1 (ie. not #2, not #3, not "top 3"). I know this latter fact 1st hand: my TY program director told me that telling him that we were ranking them #1 helped me and my S.O. couples match there.
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While I don't think it helps to send these letters of intent in dermatology, I will echo it DEFINITELY helps for prelims or TYs.

I told my prelim program that I would make them my #1 and they replied within 3 hours saying they looked forward to seeing me in July 😛
 
Related question, what if you have two #1s?

My first number one is a real stretch considering it is in Southern California and I'm on the East Coast.

My other number one is more realistic and on the East Coast.

I feel equally qualified to both and feel I did about the same in both interviews.

Is it bad to tell each school they're my number one choice?
 
dermathon said:
Related question, what if you have two #1s?

My first number one is a real stretch considering it is in Southern California and I'm on the East Coast.

My other number one is more realistic and on the East Coast.

I feel equally qualified to both and feel I did about the same in both interviews.

Is it bad to tell each school they're my number one choice?
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yeah man, don't do that. when you submit your list, you will have one #1... if you're split between two programs, either wait until you decide or use non-specific verbiage to both of them.
 
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