Advice on ranking for PGY1 pharmacy practice

[hopeful1994]

Should I rank based on how confident I felt after the interview (i.e. how high I feel a program would rank me), or based on how I TRULY feel about a program?

I have 10 interviews, and to be honest, I feel equally interested in all my programs. I had a few interviews so far, and I felt pretty confident afterward. However...the matching process is so weird that despite the number of my interviews, I am scared that I might not even match at all. I need any and all advice from RESIDENTS, former residents, and/or RPDS. Thank you in advance.

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[rx25295]

Rank based on where YOU want to be. period. The match favors YOU, so you should put where you want to be first.

The match is confusing, honestly. If you rank a program as your number 1 but don't match there, it doesn't mean you're at any disadvantage for your other programs on your list. I think this video is helpful, as it's a real person explaining it in a simplified way:

 

[spacecowgirl]

Rank how you truly feel. Really and truly. Every year someone comes on here lamenting how they ranked a site they didn't really want and now they are stuck. Don't do that.

Don't try to game the match - it's confusing but it's not a trick.

Source: former RPD

 

[lionheart555]

Since you equally like your programs (I'm going to challenge you to rethink that though), here are some differentiators.

Consider thinking about

- How likely will you be able to stay on with the company after your residency
- How likely will you be able to leave if you find a better opportunity
- Will the program support you if you want to find a better opportunity
- Will you learn everything you want to meet your career goals
- Is there someone at the program that could teach you exactly what you want
- How much overtime are you expected to put in/how much time outside of work will you need to put in

 

[hopeful1994]

Rank based on where YOU want to be. period. The match favors YOU, so you should put where you want to be first.

The match is confusing, honestly. If you rank a program as your number 1 but don't match there, it doesn't mean you're at any disadvantage for your other programs on your list. I think this video is helpful, as it's a real person explaining it in a simplified way:

Rank how you truly feel. Really and truly. Every year someone comes on here lamenting how they ranked a site they didn't really want and now they are stuck. Don't do that.

Don't try to game the match - it's confusing but it's not a trick.

Source: former RPD

Since you equally like your programs (I'm going to challenge you to rethink that though), here are some differentiators.

Consider thinking about

- How likely will you be able to stay on with the company after your residency
- How likely will you be able to leave if you find a better opportunity
- Will the program support you if you want to find a better opportunity
- Will you learn everything you want to meet your career goals
- Is there someone at the program that could teach you exactly what you want
- How much overtime are you expected to put in/how much time outside of work will you need to put in

Thank you all so much!!! This was extremely helpful!!!!

 

[superrx01]

Should I rank based on how confident I felt after the interview (i.e. how high I feel a program would rank me), or based on how I TRULY feel about a program?

I have 10 interviews, and to be honest, I feel equally interested in all my programs. I had a few interviews so far, and I felt pretty confident afterward. However...the matching process is so weird that despite the number of my interviews, I am scared that I might not even match at all. I need any and all advice from RESIDENTS, former residents, and/or RPDS. Thank you in advance.

10 interviews is alot I highly doubt you will not match! Good luck 🙂

 

[vasoolraja]

Does prestige of the program matter? Should this be a factor when ranking programs?

 

[rx25295]

Does prestige of the program matter? Should this be a factor when ranking programs?

I personally would not let prestige be the only determining factor (or the most important factor), by any means. But if you prioritize prestige highly, then yes, it absolutely does matter.

 

[aqb]

What if you didn't do so hot in your interview with your #1 choice but, it's your #1.

 

[rx25295]

What if you didn't do so hot in your interview with your #1 choice but, it's your #1.

Watch the video above. If it's your number 1, rank it number 1. don't try to play the game of guessing how you did, because your perception may not be correct. And if you don't match with your number 1, it doesn't affect your chance to match at your other programs.

 

[aqb]

And if you don't match with your number 1, it doesn't affect your chance to match at your other programs.

Oh but it does, doesn't it?

Say Program A has 1 spot. Program B has 2 spots. I rank Program A #1, and Program B #2. I don't match with program A, but Program B ranked me #2. Program B's #1, #3 ranked them #1, wouldn't that bump me out?

 

[headortail]

I don't really want to be involved in vouching for the match. Supposedly it prioritizes the applicant's wish vs the program's. But I would always tell people to rank the way they truly feel about a program, because you usually cannot tell how a program feels about you. It's really easy for most RPDs/interviewers to be courteous and equally as enthusiastic in each applicant; they're professional people and probably rarely show their decision through their emotions. So many people I've known have ranked programs they don't LIKE but THOUGHT they did better during the interviews didn't match with their top ranked; what they thought was an excellent interview didn't turn out the way they had imagined.

When I was ranking, I really liked program A, and the RPD was super nice to me, even replying to my thank you email very enthusiastically. I would have ranked program A #1 regardless, but I thought for sure I'd be matching with them; the program I actually matched at, I thought I did meh on the interview. None of the interviewers really showed overt interest in me vs other applicants; when I matched I couldn't help but thought it was crazy. I THOUGHT I did so much better during interviews at other programs that I didn't match at.

Unless you were escorted off the property by the program, chances are you can't tell how much they liked you or thought you weren't all that. They may like you, but in the end not as much as some other candidates in other sessions you've never met. So don't bother trying.

 

[rx25295]

Oh but it does, doesn't it?

Say Program A has 1 spot. Program B has 2 spots. I rank Program A #1, and Program B #2. I don't match with program A, but Program B ranked me #2. Program B's #1, #3 ranked them #1, wouldn't that bump me out?

That’s not the case. Watch the video, I promise it helps.

 

[aqb]

That’s not the case. Watch the video, I promise it helps.

I did, but I'll take your word for it and rank accordingly. 🙂

 

[KARM12]

Oh but it does, doesn't it?

Say Program A has 1 spot. Program B has 2 spots. I rank Program A #1, and Program B #2. I don't match with program A, but Program B ranked me #2. Program B's #1, #3 ranked them #1, wouldn't that bump me out?

Program B prefers you as #2 over their #3...so even if #3 ranks them first, you would bump out #3 because the program ranked you higher.

 

[lionheart555]

Oh but it does, doesn't it?

Say Program A has 1 spot. Program B has 2 spots. I rank Program A #1, and Program B #2. I don't match with program A, but Program B ranked me #2. Program B's #1, #3 ranked them #1, wouldn't that bump me out?

Your Rank - You lose program A, but automatically insert into Program B slot 1. Because #3 ranks Program B first and has a higher preference than you from program B, you get bumped to Program B slot 2 where you will stay because nobody else can possibly have a higher rank than you other than #3. Your place in the algorithm is now complete and you have successfully matched with #3 as Program B's 2 candidates.

This differs from exactly how Karm12 stated due to my interpretation of your earlier post being that #3 is the most preferred candidate by Program B AND #3 ranked Program B as their first choice.

The key is no matter who else ranks Program B as #1, Program B has already specified you as #2. As long as you do not match anywhere else, you are guaranteed a spot at Program B.

 

[aqb]

Makes more sense, thanks guys.