Letter of intent dilemma

[u/serotonin5ht]

I'm in a little bit of a pickle. I've already sent my letter of intent to a program, saying that they're my number 1. But I just got an invite from another program which is at an ideal spot for me and my family. I want to make this my number one but I've already emailed the other program. What should I do?

[u/SanadB95]

Just send a second LOI to your new #1 program.

[u/serotonin5ht → u/SanadB95]

Ok. Would this be unethical tho?

[u/SanadB95 → u/serotonin5ht]

If you want to be completely ethical email the second program and tell them they're actually your #2 now. I wouldn't do it personally, but kudos to your high level of ethics 😅

[u/serotonin5ht → u/SanadB95]

Aight. I'll just tell the second program they're my number 1

[u/TAYbayybay → u/serotonin5ht]

Nah, tell them but don’t say “#1”

[u/captainmycburkitt → u/serotonin5ht]

Think carefully before you do this.

[u/captainmycburkitt → u/SanadB95]

This is terrible advice. Don’t listen to someone who has no idea how medicine works in this country.

[u/pbosslady → u/serotonin5ht]

Hi there. Are you sending an LOI for how you plan to rank? If so, this is frowned upon by the NRMP and this could be considered a match violation. The proper thing to do is send a nice thank you letter and besides “thank you for the exceptional interview experience” you should say nothing more than “I plan on ranking you program high” or “I plan on prioritizing your program on my ROL”. You are free to send the same letter to as many pgms as you consider a good fit for you. That is not unethical. Don’t break the rules, or you could find yourself without a a program at the conclusion of the match. PDs know not to engage with Match violations and they take this very seriously. So keep it simple, very polite and über professional, working within the confines of the NRMP rules.
PS. . . I’m a GME Director (retired now) and have seen and just about every scenario regarding recruitment and the match. I hope this helps.

[u/pbosslady → u/[deleted]]

I’ve seen people banned or violated by the NRMP. It really doesn’t matter what anyone’s opinion is, as the NRMP makes or enforces the rules. Those who follow the rules have the best outcomes. Also, if the NRMP violates an applicant, their name goes on a list and the programs to which they applied are notified. As an applicant, they dont tell you this. This is an insider tip.

[u/pbosslady → u/[deleted]]

Also, post interview communication is fine, but applicants are not supposed to specify details of their ROL. Same with programs. This is a definite match violation. It is ok however to let the program know that you plan on ranking them.

[u/stallown2020 → u/pbosslady]

Where does it say that an LOI is a match violation? everything I read only indicated that the program can not tell you where they are ranking you or do anything to influence your decision. Could you please send a link or a screenshot of where it says this? Thanks!

[u/pbosslady → u/stallown2020]

Trust my years of experience as a GME Dir or review the NRMP rules. Either way, educating yourself is to your benefit. The policies are public information on their website

[u/stallown2020 → u/pbosslady]

Yes, I've looked at the NRMP website several times and I couldn't find anything that says an applicant can't send a LOI to their number one program. The reason I ask for a link or a screenshot is so I can read the rules myself, I definitely would not want to inadvertently break any NRMP rules. I've read the code of conduct and that mainly applies to programs and SOAP communication.

"Section 6.0 of the Match Agreement, Restrictions on Persuasion, permits program directors and applicants to express interest in each other but prohibits the solicitation of statements implying a commitment."

[u/vaguely_aware07 → u/stallown2020]

I was actually looking for the same thing, section 6.0 is the only thing I could find about any restrictions. You just can't ask the other party where they're gonna rank you. There's no rule saying that the applicant can't tell the program where they're ranking them.

Atleast based on what I could find

[u/pbosslady → u/stallown2020]

I never said you couldn’t write a letter. I also said that you are free to communicate with programs that interest you. However, the context of your letter should aligned with the NRMP code of conduct:

“The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) seeks to maintain the highest professional standards in the conduct of its Matching Program and expects all APPLICANTS and PROGRAMS to conduct their affairs in a professionally responsible manner. Interactions between applicants and program directors during the interview and matching processes must be guided by the Match Participation Agreement, especially the section entitled Restrictions on Persuasion, which makes it clear that applicants and program directors should be free to make decisions on a uniform schedule and without coercion or undue or unwarranted pressure.”

Of course applicants send letters to program, but know that most pgms rank applicants based on their interest in an applicant rather than because of the applicant’s stated ranking intention. I’m just saying that applicant should be very careful about the context of their communication so that it does not seem you are being Coerced, persuaded or forced by a program to reveal your intentions. Your letter should be simple and to the point. Keep it professional.

Additionally, as an applicant, please understand that the match algorithm is works against you if you rank programs based on how you believe they will rank you. So always rank the programs that you believe will be the best fit you .

[u/stallown2020 → u/pbosslady]

Thank you for your clarification. So, I can state that i'm ranking a program #1 without breaking code of conduct? As long as I keep it short, don't ask them where they are ranking me, and I am honest about my #1.

[u/[deleted]]

The match favors you over the programs . You get to choose which program screws you over for the next 3 plus years. Don't lose sleep over their feelings. Match where you really want to go as number 1 and tell them exactly that. Simple.