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The Rank Order List Deadline Is Imminently Approaching: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

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This is an important reminder that Wednesday (February 21) at 9am EST is the rank order list certification deadline. I’d recommend submitting today or tomorrow morning to be safe. Waiting until the last minute and making impulsive changes to your list is not a great idea.

Please make sure to avoid simple missteps in creating your rank order list. Improving written materials and interview skills is important, but all of that work can go to waste if applicants do not understand basic strategies for the Match. In November or 2015 the NRMP published an article called, “Understanding the Interview and Ranking Behaviors of Unmatched International Medical Students and Graduates in the 2013 Main Residency Match” in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education. The data is especially important for IMGs who represented the majority of unmatched candidates.

Sadly, the authors found that some applicants made strategic errors including the below:

– Not attending all interviews, thus failing to capitalize on every opportunity to market themselves.

– Declining to rank all programs at which they interviewed or not ranking all programs they would be willing to attend.

– Misunderstanding the Match and ranking programs at which applicants did not interview.

– Failing to rank programs based on true preferences or ranking programs based on the perceived likelihood of matching.

It kills me to read about these mistakes :(. Here is an explanation of the Match algorithm. If you do not understand how the Match works, it is absolutely critical that you learn about it to avoid destructive errors.

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Yes, Sleep is a Medical Necessity

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I found this short piece, “A Call for Sleep” to be an interesting and honest read. Throughout my life, I’ve had non medical people tell me that I should be used to a lack of sleep because of my training and night shifts (which I, thankfully, no longer do). If someone has fasted before, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t get hungry when she doesn’t eat!

For applicants, I’ll again say that it’s critical to consider lifestyle and priorities when choosing a specialty.

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Read the Fine Print

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A few years ago, a medical school applicant told me the following story:

This pre-med decided to write follow up notes to all the schools at which he had interviewed, usually a good idea. However, he was upset to receive a brusque note from one of the institutions telling him that a) he should have read their policies; they do not allow post-interview contact and b) he was rejected from the school.

I found the school’s note pretty severe, and I strongly suspect the post-interview contact was not related to his rejection. (As an aside, he successfully and happily matriculated at another school.) But this story is a reminder that it’s important to read institutions’ policies about post-interview contact. Most places welcome written updates, but it’s essential to confirm before you send.

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No One Wants to be your Second Choice for High School Prom Date

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Imagine you’re back in high school, planning to ask out a fellow classmate to the prom. You approach your potential date, “Would you be interested in going with me to the dance? You’re my second or third choice.”

Not very compelling…The same is true for letters of intent: I’ve had several applicants ask me if it’s okay to say that an institution is their “second or third choice” or “one of my top” picks.

That does not sound very flattering. Instead you can say something like “I would be thrilled to be at your institution,” or ” I’m confident I can make a positive contribution.” In other words, you don’t need to lie (which I never recommend); but you don’t have to shoot yourself in the foot either.

I do edit letters of intent and have been busy with them this season. Let me know if you need assistance.

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After Your Residency or Medical School Interview: Is there Value in a Second Look?

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After interviews – if permitted by the institution – there are several ways you can communicate with a medical school or residency. My favorites are brief thank you notes and well-written letters of interest.

But what about the “second look?” I’ve had many mentees ask me if re-visiting a school or training program after the interview day is valuable. Unfortunately, there may not be a definitive answer to this question because how a second look is perceived varies by institution.

The cons of the second look are cost and time. And perhaps even worse, there is the risk that you are imposing on the school or program. You don’t want your request for a second look to work against your candidacy. On the other hand, the pros of a second look are a demonstration of interest and enthusiasm that many schools and programs are seeking.

If you are a pre-med and are wait listed at a medical school, I would generally recommend a second look if you can swing it. After all, you have every right to visit the institution you may be attending. If you go for a second look in this scenario, make sure to do a formal visit: Let the admissions office or Dean’s office know you would like to spend the day and ask if you might have an opportunity to meet with students and even an admissions officer to support your candidacy.

If you are a residency applicant, it’s hard to say if a second look will help or not. A residency director friend of mine says that a visit from someone who travels from far away might improve a candidate’s standing by a few slots on the rank list at her program. That sounds like a tepid endorsement at best… If you are considering a second-visit, make sure to speak to the program coordinator. S/he might advise you against it or, on the contrary, let you know it’s appreciated by the residency director.

As we all know, the residency and medical school interview scene is already stressful and expensive, so unless you are a wait listed pre-med – with all other things being equal – I generally would not push yourself hard to do that second look.

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About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more

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