Will Programs know where you ranked them after the match?

[Seawolf]

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I am currently confused about how to answer to programs who shows genuine interest in me as an applicant. Like many others on this board, we've received messages from program directors 'asking' us to rank them highly. There is one program director who is very 'aggresive', but yet they are really my middle of the pack if not later program. My question is do the programs know where you ranked them afterwards? I don't want to tell this program director any lies, but I also don't want to burn my bridges. Do your own program know where you ranked them after the match? If there are any program directors out there, any input is appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Tapout]

I believe they never find out exactly how you ranked them, but they do know where you end up doing residency. Hope this helps.

 

[Mumpu]

The programs don't officially know where you ranked them but they can tell if they weren't your first choice. If a program ranks you to match and you don't go there, they obviously were not your first choice. Expect some (polite, "for our information") letters asking why after the match day.

 

[maddog75]

The programs don't officially know where you ranked them but they can tell if they weren't your first choice. If a program ranks you to match and you don't go there, they obviously were not your first choice. Expect some (polite, "for our information") letters asking why after the match day.

No Way. Do you have some anecdotal evidence of such inquiries? Seems like it would be a waste of their time.

 

[quidnunc]

A friend of mine (resident up in Stanford) received a phone call from his homeschool asking him why he didn't rank them higher (he ranked them 3rd). They wanted to know b/c they were heavily recruiting him. I've heard other stories as well.

 

[alhkim]

No Way. Do you have some anecdotal evidence of such inquiries? Seems like it would be a waste of their time.

I went through the match last year, and this certainly happened. I received both email and snail mail asking me to fill out surveys and questionnaires about why I chose where I matched at and why I didn't choose their institution. FYI, I didn't match at my #1, and subsequently did not receive any correspondence from them post-match.

 

[PickyBicky]

A friend of mine (resident up in Stanford) received a phone call from his homeschool asking him why he didn't rank them higher (he ranked them 3rd). They wanted to know b/c they were heavily recruiting him. I've heard other stories as well.

Ahhhh.....before the match existed, makes you wonder if the words, "Money talks..." were ever uttered.

-PB

 

[Mumpu]

Makes sense -- the programs want to know why their top picks didn't select them. I've had medical schools do the same.

Don't be mortified -- you can always ignore them. 🙂

 

[BStein76]

Ahhhh.....before the match existed, makes you wonder if the words, "Money talks..." were ever uttered.

-PB

I have the feeling the attitude was more of "You should feel privileged to train and work 100+ hours/week".

 

[metastatic dz]

an additional point...programs will only get to know where you matched if they rank you. One PD told me that when they interview a candidate that was amazing on paper, but ended up being a dud upon interview, they try to rank them dead last just so they get to see where they did match, if at all.