- Joined
- May 31, 2016
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I was fortunate enough to receive several "ranked to match" calls from PDs/chairs/other faculty during this year's application cycle. I ended up matching at one of these (a top 2-3 program), but 2 of those calls were from programs in my hometown, which is a large, desirable city with a horrible job market for radiology. My goal is academic neurorads, and I would love to eventually work at one of the two academic programs in my hometown. I got to know some of the academic neuroradiologists in those two departments mainly from the interview day and some follow-up phone conversations in February, and I expressed a lot of interest in both programs (I really was interested, and ended up ranking them #2 and #3 on my ROL). I also got to know the PDs and chairs pretty well from both places. However, after match day I have not communicated with anyone at these departments, except for one junior faculty who I know from college, and who I emailed to say congratulations on their match and to let him know where I matched.
My question is this: is it courteous to reach out at this point to maintain good relations with these two departments so that ~6 years from now I might have a better chance of getting an academic job in my hometown? I almost want to say something like "sorry I did not rank you #1--I really love you guys though!!" because I do feel like I let them down by being so interested in them yet still going elsewhere. Ultimately though I could not pass up the chance to train at a really amazing program that is top-notch in every section (except maybe IR, but I have no interest in that), and these are smaller and generally lower-regarded programs (but still great academic places) so hopefully my decision will be understandable. Would doing this at this point just be awkward??
My question is this: is it courteous to reach out at this point to maintain good relations with these two departments so that ~6 years from now I might have a better chance of getting an academic job in my hometown? I almost want to say something like "sorry I did not rank you #1--I really love you guys though!!" because I do feel like I let them down by being so interested in them yet still going elsewhere. Ultimately though I could not pass up the chance to train at a really amazing program that is top-notch in every section (except maybe IR, but I have no interest in that), and these are smaller and generally lower-regarded programs (but still great academic places) so hopefully my decision will be understandable. Would doing this at this point just be awkward??