Ranking programs...

Like for instance, I have been asked 'where else have you interviewed'. I don't list programs anymore, I say "oh, in NY, some in california.. anywhere, since matching is the most important".. that answers the quesiton, and I think in effect eliminates the possibilitiy of them judging you for your choice in rotation. Trust me on that one.

I think that is heavily dependent on the program. Some interviewers are looking for someone who is confident in their decisions and doesn't beat around the bush. If you answered a question the way you suggest they would think you are a wuss and there go your chances.

While other interviewers are more political, trying to lead you down a path to say something stupid, even if it is the truth.

The trick is figuring out what category they fall into in the fraction of a second while you introduce yourself.

Ya, interviewing sucks!

well.. that's a tough call, like you said.
If a program asks.. why'd you choose the places you rotated at.. that's a different story.. they want to know what you were thinking.

But, if they are simpling asking because they are curious, then I opt for the answer I mentioned above.

i would say 9/10 people will judge you based on where you rotate, that's just how it goes. The whole conviction argument is only a small fraction of the time, and I think those people would ask why you rotated as opposed to just 'where'.. that's my opnion at least.

and yes, interviewing sucks.. because they're just looking for the smallest negative you can possibly find, even if it isn't a negative.. ugh.. I hate this process.. I can't believe that between these two years I have gone on over 30 interviews, and answered the question 30 * 4, "why orthopaedics" over 120 times.. I don't think I can come up with that many variations.. ugh! haha

Ya, towards the end I felt like I was on auto-pilot. The answers seem to come out without even really thinking about it.

My thinking with aways/SubI's is that as known entity those programs are more likely to put you a little higher on the list if you did well, compared to someone that they just met for a day. However as stated everywhere else, the algorithm does favor the student for sure.

I guess I didn't even think about it when people asked where I have interviewed at or where I rotated at, I just told them. For me I didn't have anything to really say, other than I chose all of those places because I thought my family could live there, and that was important to me.

Maybe I was just naive during this process, oh well, lets roll the dice!

I spoke to my dean and ortho chair about the match process. Tey explained how the system FAVORS THE APPLICANT. The algorithm is set up to match applicants at the highest possible program. Even if you didn't match at all your top places, but did match at a program you ranked lower, you will get that program. You aren't penalized for ranking a program lower.

It also benefits the programs because a program would rather get an applicant they ranked higher, even if the applicant ranked them lower, then to get one they ranked lower and miss out on the higher applicant.

Keep in mind, post-interview communication from the programs FAVORS THE PROGRAMS. They are trying to get you to rank them higher, so it increases THEIR chances of a match, not yours.

I thought this was very helpful since the whole Match process is so confusing.

I spoke to my dean and ortho chair about the match process. Tey explained how the system FAVORS THE APPLICANT. The algorithm is set up to match applicants at the highest possible program. Even if you didn't match at all your top places, but did match at a program you ranked lower, you will get that program. You aren't penalized for ranking a program lower.

It also benefits the programs because a program would rather get an applicant they ranked higher, even if the applicant ranked them lower, then to get one they ranked lower and miss out on the higher applicant.

Keep in mind, post-interview communication from the programs FAVORS THE PROGRAMS. They are trying to get you to rank them higher, so it increases THEIR chances of a match, not yours.

I thought this was very helpful since the whole Match process is so confusing.

If someone did not know this by now, then they should not be entering the match. This is prelim information that everyone knows. I am shocked that you just found out the way you did.