Post Match - Any one received any letters from programs asking why u didn't rank them

[kriswan]

Wow, I just got back from an awesome trip. Came back with 5 emails and 2 letters from programs that I didn't match. This is what they asked of me:

1. What influenced your last decision on ranking us last?
2. Was it the location, our people, facility, our program?
3. How can we improve ourselves so we can get more qualified candidates like you for next year's season?
4. What don't you like about our program?

*** Should I respond back or just ignore it? So does that mean that I would have matched at those 7 places? LOL


** THE BEST ADVICE FOR INTERVIEW****

TELL EVERY PROGRAM YOU WILL RANK THEM NUMBER #1 LOL HAHAH. IT WORKED FOR ME!!! AT THE END, ITS YOU THAT HAVE THE UPPER HAND.


GOOD LUCK!

[jcu]

Are these automated post match surveys or are these exclusively addressed to you? Program directors aren't allowed to see where you ranked them, just where you ended up. I'll be honest with you - if I was a PD and you told me you were ranking my program #1 and you didn't I'd be pretty pissed. You may have already burned these bridges, so not responding may not hurt. I personally wouldn't recommend telling any program they were your #1 on the ROL unless they truly were because it may come back to bite you in the behind. The medical community is a lot smaller than you think.

[kriswan]

jcu,

Personally, I think its okay to bluff them. Because they'll do the same back to you. They tell u they like you and that you're their top candidate.. BAMM! at the end they don't even rank u. haha. Its part of the game. I'm not sure if its automated post match survey or not but it was addressed to me.

[jcu]

Yes, but you're forgetting one key point. A PD has the power to destroy your career before it begins if s/he chooses. An applicant on the other hand can't do a single thing if he was showered with promises of being ranked. You might not think it happens, but it does - especially in more competitive fields. Just be careful what you say and who you say it you.

[Anastomosis]

TELL EVERY PROGRAM YOU WILL RANK THEM NUMBER #1 LOL HAHAH. IT WORKED FOR ME!!! AT THE END, ITS YOU THAT HAVE THE UPPER HAND.


GOOD LUCK!

I TOTALLY agree with that statement, especially now that prematches are gone. To all the future students going through the match, lie like you never lied before, and learn how to fake interest, because in the end, it is the applicant that will suffer most, and not the program. Before, I was leary of saying every program was #1, because there were a lot that prematch. Now there are none. This cycle, I spent $500 on a second look, on a program which I ranked #9. It definately worked because they emailed me right before saying that they really liked me, and that my second look really helped, and wished to see me next year. Thats' exactly what I wanted, a backup program. Trust me.... you do not want to go unmatched.

[Anastomosis]

Program directors aren't allowed to see where you ranked them, just where you ended up.

No.. but if they went lower than you on their rank list, and didn't get you, it means you didn't rank them high enough, and the program knows.

[soniaa]

Wow, I just got back from an awesome trip. Came back with 5 emails and 2 letters from programs that I didn't match. This is what they asked of me:

1. What influenced your last decision on ranking us last?
2. Was it the location, our people, facility, our program?
3. How can we improve ourselves so we can get more qualified candidates like you for next year's season?
4. What don't you like about our program?

*** Should I respond back or just ignore it? So does that mean that I would have matched at those 7 places? LOL


** THE BEST ADVICE FOR INTERVIEW****

TELL EVERY PROGRAM YOU WILL RANK THEM NUMBER #1 LOL HAHAH. IT WORKED FOR ME!!! AT THE END, ITS YOU THAT HAVE THE UPPER HAND.


GOOD LUCK!

Hay kris, nice to hear from you, did you get it in NY or IL. also FM or IM, what you matched ??

[jcu]

No.. but if they went lower than you on their rank list, and didn't get you, it means you didn't rank them high enough, and the program knows.

Thanks, but you're stating the obvious. Any program that isn't your no. 1 could theoretically be your no. 2 or your no. 12 and the program wouldn't know the difference - that's my point. And are you seriously recommending that prospective applicants spend hundreds of dollars on second looks just to convince programs they're being ranked first?

[Anastomosis]

And are you seriously recommending that prospective applicants spend hundreds of dollars on second looks just to convince programs they're being ranked first?

Yes I do if you can do it. I had 13 interviews, but there was only one program that was truly genuine about their second looks, and that I knew a second look from there would mean something. Not all places, a second look will help, but there are those that you know will help. Once again... you do not want to go unmatched. You spent so much time and effort, don't go cheap now.
But then again, if you feel you are a good candidate, and have no worries, then don't worry about it. Every year, there are stories of people having 10+ interviews, and still not matching. I know its rare... but just do what you can to make sure its not you.

[soniaa]

Yes I do if you can do it. I had 13 interviews, but there was only one program that was truly genuine about their second looks, and that I knew a second look from there would mean something. Not all places, a second look will help, but there are those that you know will help. Once again... you do not want to go unmatched. You spent so much time and effort, don't go cheap now.
But then again, if you feel you are a good candidate, and have no worries, then don't worry about it. Every year, there are stories of people having 10+ interviews, and still not matching. I know its rare... but just do what you can to make sure its not you.

I know this one dude from my class, 8 IM and 8 Surgery. He went unmatched, did not match in SOAP also.

He was told to come for a second look at two programs went, they offered him a prematch which he did not accept.

I dont know. Hes clinically depressed as of now.

I am for real when I say clinically depressed.

He only wants IM or Surgery.