programs contacting applicants

HSS has sent out its post interview emails about applicant ranking.

So Mace,

What does it say? Is this one of the three letter option things? If so, what are the different options?

Lifesux

Lifesux,

Got kicked in the balls!!
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!!
HSS has sent the "not ranked" letter.
That's the one I got.

Mace.

Sorry Mace,

you are better off without them anyway....
thanks for the info though.
Good luck,

Lifesux

At least you were able to interview there MaceWindu. They gave me the finger a long *ss time ago. Good luck in the match.

J

Well Mace, I'm a little sad to say that I too got that letter yesterday. It's hard not to have expected it, but it still stings a bit. In the end though, I think I'll be happier at my new number 1 choice. It would've been impossible to turn down the Mecca if the letter had gone the other way, though.

got the HSS shaft also. probably would have ranked it No. 1 even though I have interviewed at 3 places that I think I would be happier at. I guess this forces me to make the right decision. now I have to figure out what is my true No. 1. congrats to whoever got the good letter.

Sorry to the folks w/ the "bad" letter from HSS. I got the "not good" letter indicating inclusion on the list, but far from showering me with any confetti. So, what's the difference at the end of the day? Not much. At least you can say that the feedback helps prevent any untoward surprises in March.

Keep your heads up.

-Grizzle-

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i also received the "inclusion on the list" email from hss.
i don't have a prayer, do i?
anybody know specifically what the other possible emails were, besides the "inclusion" or the rejection email?
how many people got each type?

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i also received the "inclusion on the list" email from hss.
i don't have a prayer, do i?
anybody know specifically what the other possible emails were, besides the "inclusion" or the rejection email?
how many people got each type?

in years past there were 3 letters. so the inclusion sounds like the middle letter. Last year, one person with the middle letter matched at HSS. so if that is where you want to be, rank it No. 1 and see what happens on match day.

in years past there were 3 letters. so the inclusion sounds like the middle letter. Last year, one person with the middle letter matched at HSS. so if that is where you want to be, rank it No. 1 and see what happens on match day.

Does anyone know if Harvard has contacted applicants? I've heard rumors that in the past highly ranked candidates were contacted by Herndon and/or chief residents. Thanks for any info.

Anyone hear anything from Michigan or Pitt? I've heard that, in the past, they've also contacted their top applicants.

I've heard the samething about Michigan. But be prepared for pitt, because I hear they try to corner you into a commitment statement.

J

I met an applicant on the trail that has been contacted by PITT. Sounds like they did try to get a comittment. Anyone heard from Campbells?

The email was so vague I assume many people received one:

"...We are starting the match process also,
please keep us informed as you make your final decision, it helps us
when we know where we stand with you."

I was told the very same thing while rotating at a program, and they have a positive history of striking a deal ("you rank us No. 1, we'll rank you No. 1"). I think if you get this kind of letter, they're the type of program that would invite you to bend the rules to make a verbal promise.

I was contacted personally by four of the thirteen programs (phone calls, letter from PD, ect) and got the infamous email "we are coming up with our list, and your on it" from two or three. It was tough, because a couple of the phone calls were from programs that were in my top four, that I really really liked, but I knew weren't my No. 1. They kinda tried to pin me down, without saying it, and a couple told me outright that if I ranked them as my first that "they'll see me in July." What do you do in that situation? Well, I told them that I would be very excited to train there and that they were going to be one of my top programs. I reiterated my interest and told them that I would be happy to train there, but didn't say that I'll see them in July. I didn't let it sway my rank list (thankfully) and I ended up matching at my No. 1, which was one of the ambiguous email programs. Two of the other programs called and told me the same thing, both of which were in my middle teir. I told them that I had a great interview, that they had a very strong program, and that I would be taking their advice/declaration into strong consideration.
My main point and advice is to rank them in the order that you would if nobody contacted you, who cares if you have been told that you have an opportunity to train there if its not your top program. If you change your list, then you are selling yourself out.

OSB is absolutely right.

The only thing that should be involved with your rank list is the order that you would prefer to be at a program. After you match, does anyone think being ranked No. 1 or #50 by a program is going to have any influence on your education or your happiness? Of course not.

Your rank list is probably the only thing you have complete control of in the entire match process--why should you care where a program ranks you?

(Well, I guess I can think of one situation: if you know a program ranks you to match, not putting them on your list could make you not match and you'd want to kill yourself. But you should still put them last if that was your last choice.)