WHEN to contact your top programs?

[MS3er]

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This might be a trivial point that has no bearing, but I was wondering WHEN between now and when our rank lists are due (Feb 21) is most ideal to be contacting programs that we're ranking very highly (or whether the timing doesnt matter at all). By contacting I mean either as an individual applicant, or faculty from our school, our PD, chairman etc.

My tendency is to think that waiting too long until too close to feb 21st (ie like the week before) runs the risk of contacting places after they've already eseentially finalized their own lists, and that sending it too early (ie like today) runs the risk of contacting them before they have even roughly assembled their own list yet - or removes any incentive these programs might have to contact you first to express their interest (if that even is a likely occurance). Is this logic correct or incorrect?

I ask because by now I've essentially figured out what my top 3 choices are and I'm basically certain its not going to change between now and when the rank lists are due. Also, none of those 3 choices have any additional interview days. So I could technically contact all of them today about it but instead find myself waiting for that right "magical time" that in reality might not exist.

thanks..

 

[dynx]

This might be a trivial point that has no bearing, but I was wondering WHEN between now and when our rank lists are due (Feb 21) is most ideal to be contacting programs that we're ranking very highly (or whether the timing doesnt matter at all). By contacting I mean either as an individual applicant, or faculty from our school, our PD, chairman etc.

My tendency is to think that waiting too long until too close to feb 21st (ie like the week before) runs the risk of contacting places after they've already eseentially finalized their own lists, and that sending it too early (ie like today) runs the risk of contacting them before they have even roughly assembled their own list yet - or removes any incentive these programs might have to contact you first to express their interest (if that even is a likely occurance). Is this logic correct or incorrect?

I ask because by now I've essentially figured out what my top 3 choices are and I'm basically certain its not going to change between now and when the rank lists are due. Also, none of those 3 choices have any additional interview days. So I could technically contact all of them today about it but instead find myself waiting for that right "magical time" that in reality might not exist.

thanks..

Im not sure it matters. I think that the only thing I would wait for is for them to finish all of thier interview dates and for you to finish all of yours. That way you can say you have seen all the programs you are going to see and you are certain that no program is going to unexpectedly impress the hell out of you (likewise if you're going to do any second look days). After those things my thinking is "the sooner the better". You would want your interest to be known before any final rank meeting so that on the very small chance that your interest plays a role in where they rank you it will be known when that process occurs. This of course assumes that expressing interest moves you on the rank list, which I think may be true only at real small programs.

 

[Smoke This]

Last year I was told by one resident that programs' rank lists are due significantly earlier than the applicants' lists, up to 2 weeks early or so. That would obviously impact when you need to contact your top program. Does anyone know for sure if this is true or when the deadline is for programs' rank lists?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Last year I was told by one resident that programs' rank lists are due significantly earlier than the applicants' lists, up to 2 weeks early or so. That would obviously impact when you need to contact your top program. Does anyone know for sure if this is true or when the deadline is for programs' rank lists?

Not unless something has changed - programs ROL list date has always been the same date as candidates, at least submission to NRMP.

Individual programs may have their list completed INTERNALLY before the deadline (and 2 weeks ahead of time would not be inaccurate) and therefore, be loathe to change the list after that.

However, program deadline for submission to the match is the same as the candidate's date.

 

[goooooober]

I have a slightly related question. If a faculty member from an outside program (of your home institution) has written an LOR for you, would it be beneficial to also have the same individual call the PD of your first choice for the match to put in a good word directly, even if he does not know the PD?

 

[Winged Scapula]

I have a slightly related question. If a faculty member from an outside program (of your home institution) has written an LOR for you, would it be beneficial to also have the same individual call the PD of your first choice for the match to put in a good word directly, even if he does not know the PD?

Sure.

 

[supasonic]

I just came back from an interview where one of the chief residents told me that I need to write 7-8 letters to the residencies that I am interested in to express my interest. Has anyone else heard of this advice? Is it just particular to that one institution, or do I need start my letter writing campaign? I know thank you's are the least, which I have done, but 7-8 letters?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[geekgirl]

re: letters to programs. phone calls. i say take the straightforward approach. and be smart.

i.e. write letters/emails/whatever to program(s) that you might be interested in. genuinely interested in. and express your interest.

but do NOT write many letters of false intention to places. be honest. keep your integrity. this field is small. and it's good to hedge your bets, but also good to keep it straight. do not misrepresent your interest. for the sake of honesty. and because people talk.

and re: calls to various programs by advisors, that's not a bad idea. although if you don't do it, things'll be fine too. i did not have anyone call anywhere for me. and i think that's quite typical. and things worked out.

but my advice - be straightforward. and honest.

 

[maverick_pkg]

hey i was planning to email the PDs of my top few places expressing interest. Not sure what to put as the subject line to make sure they read it. Would it be fine to put 'Letter expressing interest' or something like that or is that too cheesy?

 

[sml1120]

I had the same question. I ended up writing "letter of continuing interest" somewhat cheesy but whatever. I also sent it to the program coordinator but addressed it to the PD, that way it will likely be printed out and put in my file. i know PD's are very busy and figured if i just sent it directly it was more likely to get overlooked...who knows.

 

[maverick_pkg]

yeah makes sense. thanks

 

[integra892]

has anyone thought about not telling your top choice that they are your top choice? Picture this scenario: Student x tells program y that he/she plans to put them at the top of their list. Program y now knows that they have a student that they can get, so program y says "well now that i know i can get student x, maybe i should rank him lower in an attempt to get student z who is a better candidate on paper out of reach for our program." Has anyone else worried about this scenario?

 

[Doc Ivy]

Honestly, I don't think there is any advantage to PD's changing their ROLs based on how the think applicants will rank them-- except for the bragging right of saying they don't have to dig deep into their ROL. It seems to me that programs, like applicants should use the match to their full advantage and rank in order of preference.

 

[js255]

I contacted some programs (just said that i was extremelyinterested and nothing more) and most were very receptive, but one PD said something to the effect of "thanks for liking our program, but we can't tell you your rank" - i'm a lil curious as to what he meant by that...any thoughts

ps- I hope these programs know that we aren't fishing for where we are on their rank list, but would rather like to tell them where they may be on ours (in what vicinity anyway)

 

[Warden]

Honestly, I don't think there is any advantage to PD's changing their ROLs based on how the think applicants will rank them-- except for the bragging right of saying they don't have to dig deep into their ROL. It seems to me that programs, like applicants should use the match to their full advantage and rank in order of preference.

This is actually inaccurate based on several PDs I have met along the way. Multiple PD's have expressed to me that they want people who WANT to be at their program and would be excited to be there rather than someone who got their but it was low on the list. PD's like enthuisastic residents and letting them know you are ranking them number 1 definetly affects many PD's decisions. So it is not just about brabbing about not going down their ROL-they want people excited to go there. For example take their top 20 people-probably all very similar stats wise etc. Assuming they all interviewed ok-really it is a crapshoot of which 6 (or whatever) they pick. If 6 of them contact the school and tell them they are their number 1-I think a good number would get the spot with all else equal

 

[js255]

what if your not sure what your number 1 is... would it be hugely bad to contact 2 programs and let them know they are number 1?

Does it make a huge difference if you say that they are your number one or that you just extremely intrested?

 

[drpectin]

what if your not sure what your number 1 is... would it be hugely bad to contact 2 programs and let them know they are number 1?

Does it make a huge difference if you say that they are your number one or that you just extremely intrested?

Remember that integrity is something that you are trying to convey. Granted it might have no effect, but say that you tell number 3 that they are #1 (and the PD there guarantees you a spot) but then you get into your REAL first choice. The PD at number 3 would know that you lied. Not a great way to start. Again, its unlikely, but not worth the risk with little to no benefit.

Just my opinion