Another question for Match algorithm specialists

[Larry Renal]

Match question:

Lets say my #1 choice dosen't rank me. Does it hurt my chances with my #2 if it's ranked #2 as opposed to #1? Basically, am I less likely to match somewhere because they've dropped down on my list?

Make sense?

Thanks,

Lar

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[Mumpu]

No. If you don't match at your #1, your #2 becomes your #1 and the matching algorithm runs again. If you go to the NRMP page, this is explained in GREAT detail there with examples.

In short, don't try to game the system.

 

[BlahtoThis]

No. You can rank it 10th and it won't *hurt* your chances of getting in. What it will do is make it more likely for you to get into the ones above. Remember the match process has to favor both the program AND the applicant. So they favor your top choice but also the program's top choices. So if you can't match in a spot in your top choice then your #2 becomes your #1 and if you are ranked above somebody else on your #2's rank list, then you get the spot (again assuming you didn't get your number 1.

Read the match algorithm explanation on the NRMP site (which nobody seems to read). (You have to wonder at how insanely anal people become in this process but nobody wants to read the directions.)

 

[Methyldopa]

(You have to wonder at how insanely anal people become in this process but nobody wants to read the directions.)

People probably read it, don't understand it, and/or freak out because they think there is a way to gain an advantage/or are put at a disadvantage in the match.

Quite obvious to me why physicians abuse so much alcohol! They're constantly freaking out!

My suggestion to people is to chill out and rank according to PREFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BlahtoThis]

I think it's a mix. I know a lot of people probably are either freaking out or didn't understand what was written there. But I know a LOT of people who never bothered reading it and basically just created their own assumptions about how the system works based on what others told them. Or people provide horror stories of how they didn't match at places where they were "sure" they should have matched and this makes people more nervous.

I just hope people actually rank according to their preference rather than where they expect to be able to get in.

 

[rugtrousers]

I just hope people actually rank according to their preference rather than where they expect to be able to get in.

Amen to that! I ran into an IMG on the interview trail and he told me all about how 3 of his friends had each matched into their #3 choice, so he was planning to rank his favorite program #3! I tried to explain, but to no avail...