What does it mean if a program sends you a “letter of intent” describing their definite interest in you as a candidate?  I mean obviously, it means what it says.  But specifically, does it mean I am in the top 5?  top 10?  Has anyone else received something like this from a program?

Thanks

AcidicGet - 26 January 2010 08:57 PM

What does it mean if a program sends you a “letter of intent” describing their definite interest in you as a candidate?  I mean obviously, it means what it says.  But specifically, does it mean I am in the top 5?  top 10?  Has anyone else received something like this from a program?

Thanks

Lucky You!

My guess would be they are going to rank you high (duhh.. i know). What changes when they let you know about it? Well, nothing - unless you also rank them high in your ROL. And if latter happens, their chances of getting matched with you increases, no matter where they ACTUALLY rank you.

But seriously, it is good to open up (just about enough not to violate NRMP’s policy, i.e. keep suggesting that you are ranking a program high or vice-versa once you said so) so that you at least have a peace of mind that someone is ranking you high - same goes the other way. But if you have a program you like better than the one you received ‘letter of intent’ from, rank the program of your choice higher than this one - you are still safe to match at this program if they’ve really ranked you higher. At least this is what I understood from the NRMP match algorithm.. The applicant’s choices are honored first and then it goes to the program’s choices. Correct me if I missed something..

Anyone interested in starting a thread listing what programs are sending “letters of intent” or giving phone calls.  It might be helpful, but then again it might just scare the hell out of some of us who aren’t getting any?

scubasteve - 27 January 2010 01:41 PM

Anyone interested in starting a thread listing what programs are sending “letters of intent” or giving phone calls.  It might be helpful, but then again it might just scare the hell out of some of us who aren’t getting any?

i didnt have any so far, but i wont get scared! lets do it! its harmless to inflate ego around here and that way we’ll know something more about the programs as well (esp. ones that are sending more than one of them for a single position!!)

AcidicGet - 26 January 2010 08:57 PM

What does it mean if a program sends you a “letter of intent” describing their definite interest in you as a candidate?  I mean obviously, it means what it says.  But specifically, does it mean I am in the top 5?  top 10?  Has anyone else received something like this from a program?

Thanks

They probably want you.. You should rank only them.

newguy - 27 January 2010 02:28 PM

AcidicGet - 26 January 2010 08:57 PM

What does it mean if a program sends you a “letter of intent” describing their definite interest in you as a candidate?  I mean obviously, it means what it says.  But specifically, does it mean I am in the top 5?  top 10?  Has anyone else received something like this from a program?

Thanks

They probably want you.. You should rank only them.

well said :D anyone, who is ranked higher than you, not ranking the programs you have ranked definitely increases your chances of getting in! gimme a break - lets make the competition a healthy one! thats what the match is all about!

I’d be wary of doing this. If having correspondences posted here makes programs hesitant of contacting applicants, then we would be doing ourselves harm. plus, if a program really is only reaching out to 1-3 applicants, posting here could jeopardize identity. Also, this avoids the few characters who would be posting up BS just to throw us off our game. maybe we can do a thread like this after rank lists are in. just wanted to share my thoughts, even if they do sound tool-ish and weak.

Doin It For The Loupes - 27 January 2010 04:22 PM

I’d be wary of doing this. If having correspondences posted here makes programs hesitant of contacting applicants, then we would be doing ourselves harm. plus, if a program really is only reaching out to 1-3 applicants, posting here could jeopardize identity. Also, this avoids the few characters who would be posting up BS just to throw us off our game. maybe we can do a thread like this after rank lists are in. just wanted to share my thoughts, even if they do sound tool-ish and weak.

I agree! Will second it!! And don’t take it too seriously - no one does.. after all, this is an online forum (in a very light sense ) Good luck to you with the match process!!

Thanks for the information.  I just wanted to hear some opinions about it.  Good luck in the match to everyone.

Doin It For The Loupes - 27 January 2010 04:22 PM

I’d be wary of doing this. If having correspondences posted here makes programs hesitant of contacting applicants, then we would be doing ourselves harm. plus, if a program really is only reaching out to 1-3 applicants, posting here could jeopardize identity. Also, this avoids the few characters who would be posting up BS just to throw us off our game. maybe we can do a thread like this after rank lists are in. just wanted to share my thoughts, even if they do sound tool-ish and weak.

Good call - didn’t think of that.

AcidicGet - 26 January 2010 08:57 PM

What does it mean if a program sends you a “letter of intent” describing their definite interest in you as a candidate?  I mean obviously, it means what it says.  But specifically, does it mean I am in the top 5?  top 10?  Has anyone else received something like this from a program?

Thanks

This is very strange. I’ve never heard of a program sending a letter of intent. Many programs call applicants in their top tier, and occasionally send an email. Most of the time the chief residents make these calls. There are a couple Chair’s who call, but a ‘letter of intent???’. Almost impossible to believe.

I’ve gotten snail mail letters from two programs that describe something along the lines of “we continue to be highly interested in your potential match to our program.” Not sure if they send these to everyone or not - I hope not, as it would be nice to get some meaningful information from such contact.

It’s not a “Letter of Intent”, it is more of a “Letter of Extreme Interest”. “Letter of Intent” sounds like you’re going to match at their program. These letters are not given out lightly. I received one during all of my interviews and it does not guarantee you a match at the program but I think it does guarantee that you are going to be one of their top ranks. It is not all that common to get such personal means of validation during the interview process and if you are interested in that program as your top rank then you should move to let them know that and you should be in very good shape.

I’ve gotten an e-mail from one less competitive program and a letter from another.  The e-mail had “FW:” in the subject line, so I was obviously not the only person this (one a year) program contacted and a similar copy of the letter was received by another applicant to the other (one a year) program.

I would imagine that larger programs send out more letters than they have spots as well.

cogaivotchong - 02 March 2010 06:12 PM

if you have a program you like better than the one you received ‘letter of intent’ from, rank the program of your choice higher than this one - you are still safe to match at this program if they’ve really ranked you higher.


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