What's the appropriate way to let your top choice know that you are planning on ranking them #1? Assuming you decide after the interview day and can't say it in person. Phone call, e-mail, personal letter, etc? I'm planning on mentioning it my thank you letter, but I'm not sure that they all get read. Appreciate input from anyone who's been through it before.
When choosing a number one, should you take into account the competitiveness of the program, how the interview went, whether or not you did a rotation there, and also if the program director/chairman has expressed interest in your candidacy? I feel like declaring this is a powerful weapon in our arsenal and it should be used wisely and only one time. Thanks.
What should you do if you are not sure who your number one is, but you have strong feelings about a couple of programs. I love 3 programs I interviewed at and would be happy at any of them. Its really going to come down to how I feel on the day the list is due. Is sending a thank you letter/email/whatever saying you are at the top of my rank list a bad letter because the statement "you are my # 1" is not in it? Or is it a safe letter showing interest? I dont want a program to think I'm not interested becuase I didnt say # 1 directly.
What should you do if you are not sure who your number one is, but you have strong feelings about a couple of programs. I love 3 programs I interviewed at and would be happy at any of them. Its really going to come down to how I feel on the day the list is due. Is sending a thank you letter/email/whatever saying you are at the top of my rank list a bad letter because the statement "you are my # 1" is not in it? Or is it a safe letter showing interest? I dont want a program to think I'm not interested becuase I didnt say # 1 directly.
Have exact same question as osteoblasts and would appreciate advice. also, what if one of these programs that you are considering has made/makes contact with you? what is the appropriate way to communicate with them without losing them and without telling them they are #1
I'm sorry that people feel compelled to tell programs anything because you're really not supposed to have to say anything and it puts you in an awkward position.
If a program asks or pressures you to tell them it is ABSOLUTELY a violation of the match rules. If you have a "top 3" and feel like you would like to let them all know that they're in your "top group" or "top of your list" that's perfectly fine.
I'm not sure what programs do with that information, however, so unless you're prepared to put all your eggs into the "you're my #1" basket it may not really make much of a difference.
Everyone who has read my posts knows that I feel strongly that it would be much better to allow the integrity of the match rule the process and not have any of this crazy communication that only serves to undermine the system. At the end of the day, however, you have to protect yourself and do what you feel is in your best interest.
