Understanding responses

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I'm saying that basically, I sent a TY email to a program where I'd like to match. They responded, oh so nice to meet you, etc etc and they said, "best of luck in the match."

I'm wondering if that statement means that they won't rank me or won't rank me high enough?

Also, the PD at another program where I interviewed requested that no TY emails be sent. The residents and chairperson of the program did not make such a request. Would it be ok to send TY emails to these individuals?
 
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Smurfette, why are you torturing us? 🙁
 
I would say it probably doesn't mean anything. It's just a nice way to acknowledge someone without giving away anything about how the person will be ranked.
They may not have even done their final ranking meeting yet, so they may truly not know yet how they'll rank you.
 
I would say it probably doesn't mean anything. It's just a nice way to acknowledge someone without giving away anything about how the person will be ranked.
They may not have even done their final ranking meeting yet, so they may truly not know yet how they'll rank you.


I don't know, I'm wondering if it means-we are not ranking you, sorry! Wouldn't a program say something on the lines of we would be happy to have you in our program, etc etc if they were meaning to rank you highly?
 
We're dissecting this like a 20 year old girl after a first online Match.com date! Whoever wrote the message probably didn't think that much about how it would be intepreted. I wouldn't see it necessarily as negative. After all, what's the use in that?
 
We're dissecting this like a 20 year old girl after a first online Match.com date! Whoever wrote the message probably didn't think that much about how it would be intepreted. I wouldn't see it necessarily as negative. After all, what's the use in that?

That's why I use eHarmony, they match you on 29 dimensions of compatibility so you don't have to worry about stuff like this!
 
I don't know, I'm wondering if it means-we are not ranking you, sorry! Wouldn't a program say something on the lines of we would be happy to have you in our program, etc etc if they were meaning to rank you highly?
You just gotta wait until match day, dude.
 
Seriously. This is ridiculous to worry about. And I would not email thank you's to the program who said no thank you's.
 
Seriously. This is ridiculous to worry about. And I would not email thank you's to the program who said no thank you's.

Just the PD said no thank you letters, not the other interviewers. So I'm not planning on sending the PD a TY since he said no. I was thinking of sending TY to some of the other people though. Do you think that's a bad idea?

And how do I show my intent to rank them #1 then? i can always send a I really enjoyed your program, will be ranking you #1. How about that?
 
Just the PD said no thank you letters, not the other interviewers. So I'm not planning on sending the PD a TY since he said no. I was thinking of sending TY to some of the other people though. Do you think that's a bad idea?

And how do I show my intent to rank them #1 then? i can always send a I really enjoyed your program, will be ranking you #1. How about that?

If they told you not to contact them, then don't send them anything. They don't want to see any post-interview contact because it won't change their decision. So if you send something, it might be seen as someone who cannot follow directions.

No thank you's means no thank you's. Why risk it? I don't think they will be offended if you were specifically told not to
 
If they told you not to contact them, then don't send them anything. They don't want to see any post-interview contact because it won't change their decision. So if you send something, it might be seen as someone who cannot follow directions.

No thank you's means no thank you's. Why risk it? I don't think they will be offended if you were specifically told not to

Hi PSurg,

Well like I mentioned, only the PD said no TY! The chief, chair of the dept, etc made no such mention. You think it would still be bad to send them not even a TY, but rather a "I really like your program, Will be ranking it 1 blah blah?"
 
Well like I mentioned, only the PD said no TY! The chief, chair of the dept, etc made no such mention. You think it would still be bad to send them not even a TY, but rather a "I really like your program, Will be ranking it 1 blah blah?" That sounds very reasonable and is a common practice unless they specifically said "don't tell us if you plan to rank us #1."
 
I assume the PD was speaking on behalf of everyone. They meant in general, no need to send thank you notes. I think it would be awkward for each person you meet with to say something like that.

It's up to you if you want to send an "I love you" email. My guess is that they don't put much stock in post-interview communications if they said no thank you's. Also, I'm not sure they really make a difference anyway. If you really want to do it, then just do it. Everyone on here has told you you're over thinking it and you keep asking, so if it will make you feel better, then just do it. If it were me, I wouldn't.

And seriously, relax. It will all be clear on match day. I know, easier said than done.
 
I understood you perfectly the first time. If the PD said no Ty's & no one said otherwise, I still would not send to anyone. Don't risk it.
 
I assume the PD was speaking on behalf of everyone. They meant in general, no need to send thank you notes. I think it would be awkward for each person you meet with to say something like that.

It's up to you if you want to send an "I love you" email. My guess is that they don't put much stock in post-interview communications if they said no thank you's. Also, I'm not sure they really make a difference anyway. If you really want to do it, then just do it. Everyone on here has told you you're over thinking it and you keep asking, so if it will make you feel better, then just do it. If it were me, I wouldn't.

And seriously, relax. It will all be clear on match day. I know, easier said than done.

I wish I could just relax 🙁 . I can't! I overanalyze every message sent, and everything that I'm told. I wish a program would just tell me, you are ranked to match!
 
I understood you perfectly the first time. If the PD said no Ty's & no one said otherwise, I still would not send to anyone. Don't risk it.

Darn. You guys keep giving me conflicting info! The other poster said it would be reasonable to send an "i love you, rank #1" email but no TY emails. Grrr
 
No, if you're talking about me, I said that you seem set on doing it. I personally would not send anything to this program.

And if you do get a "ranked to match" email, that doesn't necessarily guarantee you a spot either. There are no guarantees in this process until you open the envelop on match day.

I have heard lots of conflicting advice too, and it is because there is no right answer that is true for every program. Some like emails, some dont, some will send out love letters, some won't. So do what you think is best, you will never know for sure.
 
No, if you're talking about me, I said that you seem set on doing it. I personally would not send anything to this program.

And if you do get a "ranked to match" email, that doesn't necessarily guarantee you a spot either. There are no guarantees in this process until you open the envelop on match day.

I have heard lots of conflicting advice too, and it is because there is no right answer that is true for every program. Some like emails, some dont, some will send out love letters, some won't. So do what you think is best, you will never know for sure.

I was talking about ericali actually, who said it would be reasonable to send a "love letter" but not TY email. I guess I'll think about this and decide. And to some extent yes, you are right, there is no right or wrong answer on this.
 
I was talking about ericali actually, who said it would be reasonable to send a "love letter" but not TY email. I guess I'll think about this and decide. And to some extent yes, you are right, there is no right or wrong answer on this.

If this is such as much an internal battle for you as you make it seem, wouldn't you just rather play it safe and not send the TY's. Especially, in light of the fact that most people agree that there is no real weight placed on them vs the possibility of looking like someone who can't follow directions. I've had a handful of interviews where the PD has discouraged TY's (for one reason or another) and the applicants have agreed that this is a blanket statement for all interviewers.
 
If this is such as much an internal battle for you as you make it seem, wouldn't you just rather play it safe and not send the TY's. Especially, in light of the fact that most people agree that there is no real weight placed on them vs the possibility of looking like someone who can't follow directions. I've had a handful of interviews where the PD has discouraged TY's (for one reason or another) and the applicants have agreed that this is a blanket statement for all interviewers.

My fear is that they won't think I'm interested and I think it's going to be my #1 program for one, and two, the PD gave us not only his email addy but that of the chiefs as well. why would he do that if he does not want us to contact them, and how would I show my interest?
 
You showed up for the IV, they know your interested.
 
My fear is that they won't think I'm interested and I think it's going to be my #1 program for one, and two, the PD gave us not only his email addy but that of the chiefs as well. why would he do that if he does not want us to contact them, and how would I show my interest?

Well if you know it's going to be your #1 then you can send a letter of intent which is different than a TY email. They give out emails for legit questions as opposed to TY emails, however I wouldn't recommend wasting their time with a bs question.
 
I was talking about ericali actually, who said it would be reasonable to send a "love letter" but not TY email.

Not to be rude but ericali is another applicant in exactly the same boat that you are and has posted other threads with a very similar lack of understanding of how this whole process works and what post-interview communication means. So take his/her advice for what it's worth.

I guess I'll think about this and decide. And to some extent yes, you are right, there is no right or wrong answer on this.

No...there is a wrong answer.
 
If contacting them will make you feel better, I'd suggest trying to think of a thoughtful question to ask about the program. THAT is a legitimate reason to contact them and will show you are interested. They probably wouldn't be angry at you for asking a question if you come up with something reasonable and appropriate.

The PD probably asked people not to send thank yous because he and/or the prog coordinator don't want to spend the time dealing with them and don't take them into account in ranking. If you send a thank you anyway, it will probably annoy them because it will look like you disregarded their clear directions and perhaps that you don't care about wasting their time. I would not take the chance of annoying them.
 
Btw-how are things going with you? You are in psych right? You always seem to post thoughtful, non inflammatory, kind posts that actually address questions posted. 🙂

Haha seriously? We have ALL addressed your initial question which specifically referred to sending a Thank You email. None of us are trying to be inflammatory and are trying to help you, but you obviously are trying to avoid the advice that's been provided. In the end, you can do what you want. However, don't try and insult us for getting exasperated with you.
 
i really like you a lot. i think we are a perfect match and i think we can be great together. i think from our conversation, you can see that i am a dedicated guy and a team player.

will you rank me?

[ ] yes
[ ] no

love,
your secret 'hopeful' future resident








i havent written a love letter in a long time... what do you think?
 
Haha seriously? We have ALL addressed your initial question which specifically referred to sending a Thank You email. None of us are trying to be inflammatory and are trying to help you, but you obviously are trying to avoid the advice that's been provided. In the end, you can do what you want. However, don't try and insult us for getting exasperated with you.

Hey givesmegas,

I think you misinterpreted my post. I in no way suggested that you or anyone in THIS thread was inappropriate. Sorry if you took it that way, not my intent at all. You certainly have been nice and many others have as well on this thread. If you felt insulted, I am sorry. 🙁

There are a number of posters who are on the inflammatory side, or who are trolls, etc etc., and threads at times get ugly. Peppy has always been nice in all the threads I've seen, and I was pointing that out.

Again, sorry if I offended you, not my intention.
 
Just a random thought but do you guys ever feel like
this whole match process is a lot like college football
recruitment minus the cool hats and the media attention?
 
Just a random thought but do you guys ever feel like
this whole match process is a lot like college football
recruitment minus the cool hats and the media attention?

Also minus the hookers, $$$, and sexy parties. And we don't really have people beating down our doors and random strangers tweeting and facebooking us in exceptionally creepy fashion. 🙁
 
Also minus the hookers, $$$, and sexy parties. And we don't really have people beating down our doors and random strangers tweeting and facebooking us in exceptionally creepy fashion. 🙁

I've wondered if it would be awesome or lame or maybe even both simultaneously put on the hat of the school I match to as I announce where I match.
 
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