Who makes the program's rank list?

[CopperStripes]

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As I've interviewed at several different programs, I have consistently spent more time with the chief residents than the program directors (who tend to just pop in to say a few words to the group of candidates). I'm wondering who actually puts the rank list together. Does the chief often have just as much say in it as the program director?

Thanks for the info.

 

[smq123]

It varies by program. In some, the PD is the only person to have input on the rank list. At other programs, residents vote. And at others, the chiefs may meet with the PD to decide. It really depends on the program.

 

[atsai3]

It varies by program. In some, the PD is the only person to have input on the rank list. At other programs, residents vote. And at others, the chiefs may meet with the PD to decide. It really depends on the program.

If the time you've been spending on your interview days has largely been with the chief residents, then very likely it is the chief residents who will have input into the rank list. It would be stupid for the program director to (for example) have applicants spend their interview days with the interns if the final say is up to the PD & chief resident(s).

At my program, we had a selection committee comprised of residents and faculty, and the rank list was generated through discussion and mutual agreement. This was the same group of faculty and residents who did the interviews and led the tours. The program director, of course, is the one who enters the list into the computer and therefore ultimately has the final say.

At one of my friends' programs, all of the residents are involved (yes, it is a small program) in the pre-interview day dinner, interview day, and post-interview day hash session with the program director. The rank list is generated through discussion and mutual agreement, and then the program director meets individually with one or two of her favored residents to draw up the final list.

-AT.