It is a violation of the match agreement to request information from applicants or programs about how they plan to rank one another. However, it is ok to volunteer that info. Like the 80-hr workweek, it may not seem like a big deal to break the rules and you probably won't get caught, but if you do it could be a disaster you can't fix.

I have heard of programs (Iowa) contacting applicants already (but not neccessarily telling them where they stand).

I know of one program that contacts their top 3 and tells them where they stand. From what I hear, there are a few programs that do that.

I don't understand why people are being vague about who' s contacting applicants. EVERYONE already knows that some programs tell applicants how they're ranked but some of us don't know exactly which programs are doing it. You're not providing any more info by saying you know of some program without saying which program it is! I know that HSS sends out 2 or 3 different letters stating where the applicants stand: ranked to match, ranked, or not ranked at all. I've heard that CASE sends letters also to their top applicants. I've also heard that CASE does not rank everyone that interviews but does not send letters indicating who is not ranked. I also know you can contact UCLA so they provide your rank position in a VOLUNTARY manner . as 2fingers said, it's a violation to request ranking info from programs or for programs to request info from applicants, but this info can be VOLUNTEERED by either party. Mace

uconn can volunteer information giving you a rough idea of where you are on their rank list. i'm not sure if they have made the final one yet though so i'd enquire in about a week or so.

How does one go about asking them to volunteer the info?

I also hear Columbia and Wash U contacts or have already started contacting their top choices as well. J

chikdok, if you're enquiring about who to talk to as far as getting UConn to volunteer info about their residency program, I'd speak with Mike Aronow who is the residency director.

Utah calls top 5 too.

...

LIJ has already contacted its top 3.

U of Md has contacted applicants-- just "love to have you here" stuff.

Does anyone know who at Harvard to contact in order to find out your aproximate position on their rank order list? Thanks.

The program coordinator (Sheehan)......I thnk.

Just called Harvard (talked to Diane Sheehan) and they are not giving any info to applicants this year. They did last year but they're not this year.

received a letter from Case Western today....It was a vague "we were impressed with you and your CV....Take care". Being the pessimist that I am, it would be interesting to see how many of these were sent out to determine the implications of the letter. Anyone else get one?

got the same thing from CASE but it was a while ago

got the same from Case. who knows what it means? i'm trying to not let programs contacting me affect my decision (unless of course they tell me they're not ranking me). on another note, UCLA said to contact them after Feb 10th and they will volunteer rank info.

Ditto from Case. Though, mine had a "very impressed..." Maybe this is their secret lingo? I doubt it, and I'm not reading anything into it. Good luck all.

just so ppl who haven't receieved anything will come back in from the ledge. i didn't receive anything until AFTER match day (stating that i was ranked to match at program x, and they wanted me to tell them why i didn't rank them higher). also, i know many ppl who matched at programs that purportedly send out letters or contact applicants (northwestern, etc) that did not get the alleged obligatory letter for matching. and this includes an AOA/253 person. so please, everyone relax. the greatest day of your life is less than 2 months away. enjoy yourselves.