CASPR Match Program

[justincredible]

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Sorry if Im getting way ahead of myself as I am only beginning pod school this Fall, but I was reading the explanation of the CASPR Match Program (ftp://www.aacpm.org/CASPR/Directory/Explanations/MatchExpl.pdf) and I got somewhat confused. I understand the concept of the program, however, prior to reading the pdf, I was under the impression that you could apply to any residency program of your choice and if granted an interview eventually continue residency there. But reading the following excerpt I may be wrong?:

"A residency program is never matched with an applicant whom it does not rank. Only those applicants ranked by the program will have the potential of being matched to the program. If none of the residency programs selects a particular applicant, that applicant is not arbitrarily "placed" but, rather, goes unmatched."

So if I have my eye already set on a residency program, X, I cannot apply/interview there unless the school ranks me? Sorry if I sound totally lost, but I am! Im proably wrong in my assumption, but the explanation confused me! Can anyone help me understand the process a little better? If you have 3 programs that accept you, is the ultimate program you are placed decided by the match? Sorry if its been discussed before...Thanks!!!

 

[gustydoc]

You cannot rank a program (CASPR) until after you interview (CRIP). You can apply to any program and they may or may not grant you an interview at CRIP. After interviews have been conducted you will rank the programs you like and the programs rank the student they want. Hope this helps, but you are right you have plenty of time to worry about the details later.👍

 

[KHep]

Sorry if Im getting way ahead of myself as I am only beginning pod school this Fall, but I was reading the explanation of the CASPR Match Program (ftp://www.aacpm.org/CASPR/Directory/Explanations/MatchExpl.pdf) and I got somewhat confused. I understand the concept of the program, however, prior to reading the pdf, I was under the impression that you could apply to any residency program of your choice and if granted an interview eventually continue residency there. But reading the following excerpt I may be wrong?:

"A residency program is never matched with an applicant whom it does not rank. Only those applicants ranked by the program will have the potential of being matched to the program. If none of the residency programs selects a particular applicant, that applicant is not arbitrarily "placed" but, rather, goes unmatched."

So if I have my eye already set on a residency program, X, I cannot apply/interview there unless the school ranks me? Sorry if I sound totally lost, but I am! Im proably wrong in my assumption, but the explanation confused me! Can anyone help me understand the process a little better? If you have 3 programs that accept you, is the ultimate program you are placed decided by the match? Sorry if its been discussed before...Thanks!!!

They rank students after interviewing them. You can only match at one program. You rank your top 5; the programs rank their top 5 candidates. It's just like if you rushed a sorority in your undergrad? Same concept. You have to pick eachother. The example on the website should help you work through it. The only thing to keep in mind at this super early stage is that some programs will only consider students that did an externship with them. We won't have to worry about this for a while!😀

 

[KHep]

You cannot rank a program (CASPR) until after you interview (CRIP). You can apply to any program and they may or may not grant you an interview at CRIP. After interviews have been conducted you will rank the programs you like and the programs rank the student they want. Hope this helps, but you are right you have plenty of time to worry about the details later.👍

I was too slow!!!

 

[Feli]

Ranking and matching occurs after clerkships and interviews. You wouldn't know how to rank them and they wouldn't know much about you if it worked in the reverse order.

There's a great guide from the APMA that explains the process and why trying to bend the match rankings system generally isn't too wise. I believe it's called "Guide to the Clerkship and Residency Process" or something similar; it may be available online to APSMA members. It also has all kinds of good tips on how to impress on clerkships and at interviews. Most of the stuff is common sense for anyone who has applied for a good competitive job (be on time, look good, thank-you notes, etc), but some people don't seem to have that and anyone can use a refresher. Make sure to read it once you are a pod student; it should be available from your APMA rep on a CD-ROM.

You rank your top 5; the programs rank their top 5 candidates....

I'm pretty sure students can rank more than 5.^

You don't want to rank residency programs that you won't take, though. If you match, it's a contract of intent, and you might need a lawyer to get off the hook.

 

[KHep]

😀 That's good. I think the example used 5, which is why I put that number down. so, then if you don't get one of your residencies, then you have to scramble, right? And how exactly does the scramble work?

 

[justincredible]

Okay, Im getting it now...Thanks for the quick replies guys! I know I'm way aheard of myself!!! I cant help think about these things, not sure why 😀. I guess its all this intermittent time while waiting for school to start...I think of nothing but pod school and everything else that comes with it and after it. It even follows me in my dreams!!! Sheesh!

 

[KHep]

Okay, Im getting it now...Thanks for the quick replies guys! I know I'm way aheard of myself!!! I cant help think about these things, not sure why 😀. I guess its all this intermittent time while waiting for school to start...I think of nothing but pod school and everything else that comes with it and after it. It even follows me in my dreams!!! Sheesh!

I'm with you! And I'm guessing next year at this time, we'll be wishing that we could get away from it for a bit!

 

[krabmas]

😀 That's good. I think the example used 5, which is why I put that number down. so, then if you don't get one of your residencies, then you have to scramble, right? And how exactly does the scramble work?

This year the programs that went unmatched were listed on the CASPR/CRIP website at 5pm. All the students that scrambled went online and looked for the available programs. Then they all call around the country to the different programs to see how each program will interview. This process can get costly. one guy from my class flew to FL then cali to interview. I know another guy who from chi-town went to NJ then boston and maybe even portland looking for a program.

If you really do not like any of the programs that you interviewed with then it might make sense to scramble but otherwise it is much easier and less nerve wrecking to match.

THis year there were some good programs that did not match. In the next few years this will change and residencies will become more competative and only the less desirable will be left because of the increasing number of students.

 

[densmore22]

😀 That's good. I think the example used 5, which is why I put that number down. so, then if you don't get one of your residencies, then you have to scramble, right? And how exactly does the scramble work?

For your reference:

- CASPR/CRIP: 2,756 applications (students applied to an average of
8.11 programs, which is the smallest in history).
- 325 applicants for 424 positions at 212 residency programs
- 85.54% (278 students) successfully matched to only 65% of the
available positions. 14.46% (47 students) did not match.
- 145 positions remain unfilled at 88 programs.
- 2007 marks the lowest number graduating class in almost 30 years

This is from the APMSA executive director's report of the annual liason meetings.

 

[Feli]

... In the next few years this will change and residencies will become more competative and only the less desirable will be left because of the increasing number of students.

...2007 marks the lowest number graduating class in almost 30 years...

On that note, my break from studying pharm is over 😀

 

[justincredible]

I'm with you! And I'm guessing next year at this time, we'll be wishing that we could get away from it for a bit!

Oh I agree. We will be yearning for a break!!! 😛