The importance of letting a program know they are number 1

[Jackie1.]

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I have a situation where I feel that if I do not let a program know I am number 1, they will not rank me. I also want another program though where I want to rank number 1 but I have no clear indication that they are interested. Therefore, if I waste all of my effort visiting and writing letters to the place I want to go to but dont get it in the end, I will have wasted that opportunity to visit and tell the second choice that they would be number 1. I am not for the idea of telling two programs they are number 1 so I am confused as how to approach it. Should I ask directly if they are interested?
Thanks

 

[scootad.]

this process is way too much like dating but in all seriousness, im curious about how to answer this question too.

i hate that we feel compelled to play games to get what we want

 

[doctormed1]

I have a situation where I feel that if I do not let a program know I am number 1, they will not rank me. I also want another program though where I want to rank number 1 but I have no clear indication that they are interested. Therefore, if I waste all of my effort visiting and writing letters to the place I want to go to but dont get it in the end, I will have wasted that opportunity to visit and tell the second choice that they would be number 1. I am not for the idea of telling two programs they are number 1 so I am confused as how to approach it. Should I ask directly if they are interested?
Thanks

Do you still have interviews to go to? It isn't even January yet! How can you truly know your number one. Probably smart to reserve judgment. As to your question, I do not know the answer.

 

[Pinky]

Do you still have interviews to go to? It isn't even January yet! How can you truly know your number one. Probably smart to reserve judgment. As to your question, I do not know the answer.

You can know even before finishing all of your interviews. when i interviewed several years back, i knew that i would be ranking the first program i interviewed at as my first choice. that was october. this year, my girlfriend knew what her first choice was even before the interview trail. she did several away rotations and found the program that fit her best.

 

[doctormed1]

You can know even before finishing all of your interviews. when i interviewed several years back, i knew that i would be ranking the first program i interviewed at as my first choice. that was october. this year, my girlfriend knew what her first choice was even before the interview trail. she did several away rotations and found the program that fit her best.

My point is simply this, if you close your mind before seeing all the options you are selling yourself short. It is fine to have an initial impression that may eventually be proved right, but to out of hand reject every other program after you see one you like, without giving the other programs a chance isn't a smart way to make life altering decisions, in my opinion. It is important to take all information in, and then after the glamour of the interview is over, reassess what you want, where you fit in the best and then make a decision. You only get this chance once, make a good choice.....sorry to sound all sermon-like.

 

[medlaw06]

The thing that really confuses/concerns me is that there really is a program that I want to go to. My fiancee is there and I have visited there and I really liked it.

I (obviously) will not apply to this 1 program alone (nothing is for sure, right). But the thing is that I DO really want to go there and want to tell them that they are #1 on my (eventual) list. The thing is that they are probably gonna think, "yeah...yeah...we've this crap before!"

Any suggestions?

 

[tricophyton]

I am in the same boat, sort of as above. I know for sure where number one will be, my wife works in the same city. What I was told to do by my dean was write them a well crafted letter explaining why you will choose them number one. Give them 4 or 5 reasons. Make sure that you state in the last reason that your wife or significant other is in the area. Just don't make this your number one reason but include it. You don't want to come off sounding like the only reason you chose them was because they are the only program in the area and you are forced to choose them because of this.

 

[scootad.]

I get the sense that you pretty much need to tell your #1 they are your #1 if they are a competitive program and you wanna match there. Am I wrong? The dilemma comes in if you feel your #1 is a bit more of a pipedream than the programs #2-5 on your list although #2-5 are also competitive. Are you wasting your #1 designation on your pipedream and at the same time sabatoging your more realistic chances at #2-5? I dont know what the right thing to do is.

 

[golytlely]

As someone who has been through this dilemma, I will say this, if and when you have a #1 program, or a #2 or #3-- Write the pd a thank you note, saying how much you liked the program and could see yourself as a resident/intern there. No harm in that, as for the magic words "you are my number one" leave that to the cool ruler Jamaica's own Gregory Isaacs, it is all a game, but realize one thing, everyone out there (top 15%) are all applying to the same schools, there are not enough of you to fill all these programs, ergo you will get your #1 or #2 choice, so don't sweat it too hard.

And check out the G. Isaacs album if you don't know what I was referring to.

peace

go lyte

 

[medlaw06]

😕 😕

...as for the magic words "you are my number one" leave that to the cool ruler Jamaica's own Gregory Isaacs, it is all a game...

😕 😕


I don't get it! 😕 😕 😕

 

[fourthyearmed]

What if you just tell your top 2 or 3 programs why you like them and that you plan on ranking them very highly? That's what I'm thinking of doing because I haven't completely made up my mind yet plus I don't want to lie to anyone.

 

[sparkle79]

i like that idea, fourthyearmed

 

[lurkerboy]

What if you just tell your top 2 or 3 programs why you like them and that you plan on ranking them very highly? That's what I'm thinking of doing because I haven't completely made up my mind yet plus I don't want to lie to anyone.

Yes, its good not to lie (pd's talk and you wouldn't want to burn a bridge) but they know the difference between number 1 and "highly".

jon