So, I’ve been told by many current applicants that they were told “blank” by the chair or attending at blank residency program. I’m wondering what applicants are being told in general. So.... if you could share a line or so of the most positive and closest to"we want you here” line you remember from the trail, I’d love to hear it. So far I’ve heard many “you’re a very strong candidate and we’re interested in you.” Is everyone getting this, a select few, or the strongest of candidates. I think this helps us all gauge how programs feel about us in general.

Speaking form last years experience, here are not (not joking) direct quotes from attedings or chairmen that I received:

“Listen, we really like you and we need to know now if you’re ranking us #1, because if you are you have a spot, but we need to know within the week” (I ranked this program #3) East program

“ We really enjoyed your interview, the residents liked you, and you’d fit in very well here. If you rank us #1 I’m sure we’ll see you next year” (I ranked this program #1 am in currently here) ---southern program

“I can’t tell you where you are on the rank list, but its very high, in fact if you want to be here I’ll see you in July” (I ranked this program #2) West coast program

“ I expect to see you in July” (ranked this program #8) --east coast program program

“ We liked you a lot, I’m sure you will rank highly” (I ranked this program #4) West program

proptosis, pretty baller i must say

but this topic is pointless. no point reading into what people tell you during interviews. who knows how many other candidates are told the same, if not better, things (it could be EVERY candidate they are saying this to). there is so much regulation on applicants telling only one program that they are your number one, which i totally agree with. but there should also be some regulation on PDs telling things to candidates. we are rookies in this game, they are seasoned veterans who have been interviewing for years/decades. i had a friend who had THREE PDs tell him something to this affect “whether you come here in July is up to you”. he was a solid candidate. he ranked those three programs #1, #2, and #3. he matched at his 5th choice.

don’t worry about what people are telling you. follow up with your #1 program telling them they are your number one, and pray. don’t read into sh#$. it’ll drive you crazy

proptosis - 04 February 2010 09:24 AM

“Listen, we really like you and we need to know now if you’re ranking us #1, because if you are you have a spot, but we need to know within the week” (I ranked this program #3) East program

Blatant match violation.

I have gotten several similar statements on the trail this year.  It’s fairly irritating.

It would have been a lot more interesting post if Proptosis had matched at his #6 and shown that all those programs were liars. Maybe someone should start a new thread about the biggest lies a PD or program has told an applicant who was subsequently screwed by the lie. I bet there are some shady things that have been done.

Maybe I’m dense, but why should it matter to programs where you rank them?  Rank lists aren’t public and nobody knows where exactly a program or applicant end up on their rank list except themselves.  I guess I just have a hard time believing that programs actually would rank an applicant they feel to be stronger below an applicant who they feel to be slightly weaker, but is ranking them #1.

youngjedi - 04 February 2010 06:21 PM

Maybe I’m dense, but why should it matter to programs where you rank them?  Rank lists aren’t public and nobody knows where exactly a program or applicant end up on their rank list except themselves.  I guess I just have a hard time believing that programs actually would rank an applicant they feel to be stronger below an applicant who they feel to be slightly weaker, but is ranking them #1.

Even though I have not yet entered the match, from what I have gathered thus far it reminds me a lot of sorority rush. From the computerized “algorithm” where one can end up with their 5th choice even if they were on the rank list (but just higher on the 5th choice list), to telling everyone they are definately picking them. The telling of everyone they are picking them has a lot to do with ego and self promotion. There are a few reasons they may do this. They want everyone to want them (even if they have zero intention of placing you number one on their list). It builds up the hype about one place (and fellow applicants talk). They also want to play it safe (they want to make sure they tell enough people they are their top choice to ensure that a certain pool of people will definately rank them first so they end up with a certain caliber of applicant even if their “real” top top choices select someone else. Can you imagine the horror if they only heavily recruited their real #1 top choice, paid little attention to much everyone else, have their top choice pick someone else and have a lower caliber pool to select from (since they didn’t recruit the back up plan who all went elsewhere)? You guys may think this is silly but I’m telling you there seems to be a lot of parallels. Don’t even get me started on the computer matching thing.

"from the computerized “algorithm” where one can end up with their 5th choice even if they were on the rank list (but just higher on the 5th choice list), to telling everyone they are definately picking them.”

“prettyinpink"- this sentence does not make sense or at least I don’t understand what you are trying to say. You will match at the first place that is on your rank list where that program has not already matched with somebody who they ranked higher than you. It doesn’t matter if your 4th choice picked you last on their list and your 5th choice picked you first, you will match at the 4th choice if everyone ranked ahead of you at the 4th choice has already matched. It is not too complex, it certainly favors the applicant, and it is a million times better than the old way of doing things (shady behind the door deals with you receiving phone calls with a few hours to accept an offer before knowing how competitive you really are).

The match algorithm runs an old game theory problem known as the stable marriage problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stable_marriage_problem

In the explanation replace “men” with applicants and “women” with programs/PDs, much more fun to think about it this way.

for me, the residents were the ones who called. they said things like, ‘we’d love to have you here’ and so on. i was told things like ‘the chairman really liked you during your externship.’ nothing more specific than that. i had one chairman tell me that ‘if [I] wanted to come to their program, [I] could.’ no mention of my actual ranking.

i know of at least 2 chairs who do make calls themselves. no sure whether they still make these calls or not.

youngjedi - 04 February 2010 06:21 PM

Maybe I’m dense, but why should it matter to programs where you rank them?  Rank lists aren’t public and nobody knows where exactly a program or applicant end up on their rank list except themselves.  I guess I just have a hard time believing that programs actually would rank an applicant they feel to be stronger below an applicant who they feel to be slightly weaker, but is ranking them #1.

Some program directors have said it is important to them that they match people who really want to be there, as in theory these people will be happier in residency, and therefore more pleasant and less likely to quit. So, the programs give preference to people who say they will rank the program #1.

i think PD’s and chairs have an idea of what rank # gets matched at other programs. i.e. it’s bragging rights to know that you always get your #1-2-3, while a competing program landed #5-8-11 in a given year.

not 100% sure this is true, but i’ve heard things from our PD that make it sound like he knows the rank numbers of some other programs for the past several years. not sure HOW he would know that...but he acted like he knew.

Jay Jay - 04 February 2010 10:01 AM

i had a friend who had THREE PDs tell him something to this affect “whether you come here in July is up to you”. he was a solid candidate. he ranked those three programs #1, #2, and #3. he matched at his 5th choice.

That’s a little sobering. In any case, here’s a similar thread around this time from last year’s class: http://uncleharvey.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/1499/.  Based off of their experience, things may begin heating up in the next few weeks. I’ve received a few welcoming comments as well, but in the end, the only thing that really matters is what comes out on that match envelope.

galen, thats a good find. for a coupla reasons. it’s a good ref at this point in the process, and also because it had some of the funniest postings i’ve seen. e.g.:

Original Poster: “this thread convinced me i’m matching on Neptune”

Responder #1: “I hear the Neptune program is weak in peripheral nerve and has way too much trauma.”

Responder #2: “Good: 
Days are short, at only 16 hours. 
Land is cheap
Bad: 
Unfortunately, although the program is only 6 Neptune-years, no earthling has ever quite made it to graduation 990 earth-years after starting. 
Cost of oxygen is still increasing, despite the sluggish economy.”

Responder #3: “Is Neptune a euphemism for Mayo?”

Come on, thats pure comedy.

Anyone get any last minute calls today?  (I didn’t).

I got a call from God University this morning. The Chairman said that I was overqualified for their program,
but would love to have me.