thank you notes

Do you write them to all programs after you interview? I'm finding that they're much more convincing for the programs that I'm really interested in going to, and it seems like a waste of time for the programs that I'm not that crazy about.

I would think a Thank you note should be sent to every program. You should at least be thankful that they interviewed you. The programs that you really like you can send a letter of interest later or include it in the thank you.

i usually send thank you notes to the program director/chair. since some programs have like 6+ interviewers, it becomes too much to send individual letters to all of them.

i will likely send letters of interest to my top 3, and a letter to the number 1 telling them just that.

-man with big stick

Unfortunately, many programs review the residents almost immediately after the interview and have match lists more or less set the day you interview. One option is to leave a note as you leave the interview or maybe email the PD a thank you. The thank you ends up being a nice tribute to your upbringing but usually gets added to your file two weeks after the selection has already taken place. At least that is how it is a my program.

"Unfortunately"?

I thought this is how the process was supposed to work. They give us an interview, we interview, they rank us, and then, hopefully, we match.

I have great respect for the programs, like yours busticate, that are confident enough to make their rank lists right away and not change them based on phone calls, thank-you notes, etc... I think when programs do do that it shows that they are insecure, that they value "bragging rights," and also perhaps that they are pandering to administrators who want to hear that the ortho program got their "top picks."

In fact, I wish certain programs would tell interviewees beforehand if we not only have to interview at their program but also have to kiss-ass and tell them they are our #1 in order to ultimately end up there... if I knew beforehand that this was the case, and that the prgram was not going to be my #1 in the end, I would not have wasted my money.

Am I wrong here? Discuss...

Leaving notes at the end of your interview is possibly the most ridiculous thing I have heard on the trail so far.

SROM, I agree.