the dream program

[kocker]

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I think I found it, the dream program. It has everything I'm looking for, so long as its a good fit personality wise.

So, how do I play this.... call, write, away? or none of the above?

I think its in my strike zone, maybe just a bit high....

also, is it bad form to tell one's home program that your 1st choice is elsewhere? I mean I would still put them on my list.

 

[PenguinHead]

I think I found it, the dream program. It has everything I'm looking for, so long as its a good fit personality wise.

So, how do I play this.... call, write, away? or none of the above?

I think its in my strike zone, maybe just a bit high....

also, is it bad form to tell one's home program that your 1st choice is elsewhere? I mean I would still put them on my list.

Do an away and make your preference known at that time.

Do not tell your home program your number 1 choice is elsewhere. I don't see how this works to your advantage at all.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I don't see how this works to your advantage at all.

I wouldn't go that far. Depending on your home program, your PD or dept chair may offer to make a call on your behalf to your top choice - which would certainly be to your advantage.

I think you have to decide on a case-by-case basis. If you are really strongly considering your home program, but it may end up as #2 or #3 on your list instead of #1, I don't think I'd make that known. If you really knew you didn't want to stay on at the home program, making that known up front might make it easier to discuss your options/get advice from your mentors there.

In my case, our PD is someone I've talked to a lot about the process, and someone I respect - if down the line I end up in a position like the OP, I think our PD is a person I could talk to about that situation without that damaging his view of me. He also has a reputation for being a strong advocate for students with other programs, so I'm sure this is something he's dealt with before.

Edit: For the OP, I would definitely not say a word about it at this point. It is still very early in the process. What if you do an away or go on your interview and realize this program isn't what you thought. There is no advantage to prematurely laying your cards on the table when you don't have all the information yet.

 

[PenguinHead]

I wouldn't go that far. Depending on your home program, your PD or dept chair may offer to make a call on your behalf to your top choice - which would certainly be to your advantage.
.

I still think I would rather tell my PD that xyz is one of my top choices than essentially say I would rather go to xyz than stay here.

Like you said though, this probably depends on your PD and the relationship you have.

 

[SocialistMD]

Your program director ultimately wants you to be happy, so putting on a con that you want to stay there when you really don't won't benefit anyone in the end. I'd be honest about where you want to go (and list the reasons to your PD why it is your "dream program") and your PD can and will usually help you. I had a PD in medical school who was one of those old-school type surgeons, but he did everything in his power to get me where I wanted to go and never tried to sabotage me. I still think that honesty is the best policy, but that is just my opinion.

 

[ESU_MD]

Be careful about away rotations. esp if you want to get a spot there. can be high risk.

all it takes is one single person to not like something about you and make a comment to the right person and you are screwed.

if you do it, dont be a total gunner- everyone can spot these personalities.

the best advice- just be yourself