"You're my number one!..."

I told my top program that I am ranking them #1 for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc. The other programs in my top 5 got emails letting them know I planned on ranking them very very high on my rank list for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc.

I think I'm going to do something like this as well. The only program I'll give an actual number to is #1. I cant decide between my top two yet however...

Why don't y'all just stop playing games and let the process work it self out. Programs aren't stupid and if you tell some program anything other than "you're my number 1" it can really only hurt you. All this B.S. about second looks, thank you letters, phone calls, is ridiculous and just corrupts the process, that when played fairly, works very well.

Read this thread on SDN: forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=710837 . It's pretty clear that PD's play games much more than students and some even outright lie. Despite what orthogate seems to portray, many students don't match to their #1, therefore if you would be perfectly happy at your #2-4 and want to let them know that for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc, then I can't see how it can hurt you.

To edit that a little, I don't think its smart to outright tell a program they are your #2, because it could hurt you more than help. But telling a program you are ranking them very highly can't hurt you, but it also may not necessarily make your rise higher in their ranklist either. Its up to them how they want to use it.

Read this thread on SDN] forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=710837 [/url]. It's pretty clear that PD's play games much more than students and some even outright lie. Despite what orthogate seems to portray, many students don't match to their #1, therefore if you would be perfectly happy at your #2-4 and want to let them know that for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc, then I can't see how it can hurt you.

Not a very cheery link, but good to think about.

The match data show that 50% of applicants get their top choice and that 80-90% match in their top 4, but that includes ALL applicants including those in other less-competitive specialties who may only rank 4 places TOTAL. I'd be willing to bet that we (ortho applicants) have a higher proportion of applicants matching to lower ranks simply because it's more competitive. Good stuff to seriously consider in the next month and a half, no matter what your Step 1 score and publication status are.

Read this thread on SDN] forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=710837 [/url]. It's pretty clear that PD's play games much more than students and some even outright lie. Despite what orthogate seems to portray, many students don't match to their #1, therefore if you would be perfectly happy at your #2-4 and want to let them know that for reasons 1, 2, 3, etc, then I can't see how it can hurt you.

And where are you a resident?