have heard different things - some say some programs rank within a few days after each round of interviewthen again some say programs have a meeting after all completed interviews and the ranking process is democraticI guess my question is - do additional cntacts or even second looks matter if the list is closed soon after interview???
Every program ranks its applicants differently:1. Usually a round table discussion of all interviewed applicants occur either after each interview day or after all interview days are finished. Then each applicant is usually discussed by people on the committee. Then the applicants will be ranked by the committee or the program director/chairman afterwards.2. Some programs' rank lists are heavily biased by the chairman or program director and the rest of the committee has little input. The chairman or program director can also modify the rank list afterwards3. As to second looks, some programs demand you either do a sub-I or a second look but that is the clear minority. Second looks will also not help you if the program has already created their rank list. I also feel that thank you notes do not help you that much but usually don't hurt.
completely depends on program. many of the ones who pride themselves on fairness have their rank list by the end of the last interview day. others work differently.