Thank you <3 this is helpful. I recently made the decision to do similarly and I've been feeling conflicted. < could you elaborate a bit on what part of Harvard or Northwestern you didn't jive with? Facing the same (happy) problem right now.
<it's derm, you can do anything you want with training at most places. Go with what makes you and your SO happy x2
Current PGY-1. Ranked places closer to family ahead of top tier programs because ultimatelymy SO and I decided that we would be happier at those programs and they would be more supportive of any career path. Make your ranklist however YOU want to and dont let people on a spreadsheet, Doximity rankings, prestige, etc tell you how to rank places. WWYD really doesnt matter because everyone and every situation is different
i really want to believe in the positivity of these messages but the cynic in me says it's just applicants fucking other applicants over.
OP: really not my intention. I just want to admit that I personally struggled and it feels WEIRD to look at these top programs lower on my list but it works for me and just wanted to put it out there because I know a lot of people are struggling with the same thought process.
also posted about this and definitely not trying to screw anyone over. I wanna be close to family
Also, on the flip side, I would argue that if name/prestige DOES matter to you, then rank it that way! This makes it seem like it's black and white, that you're sacrificing something to rank the top programs higher. But sometimes there's a reason why top programs are top!
Please don't rank NYU, thats my top.. kthxbi
Who actually considers northwestern top 5 is my question
everyone gunning for MGH and posting "i ranked it last" to convince others to do the same. only way to game the system, kudos.