Dilemma - help

[j802002]

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So I heard from what I thought was my first choice school that they will rank me in one of their top spots. They sent it in writing with an email from the PD. So I know this means if I rank them first I am guaranteed a position there.

...but

I have another school that is great, where I think I am a longshot and wanted to rank them first. If I rank them first is there any way that my spot at this other program would be jeopardized? I don't believe it is according to the algorithm but it still makes me nervous.

 

[PsychMD2100]

Rank where you want to be, plain and simple. The match algorithm is specifically designed for people just like you in mind. By ranking your longshot #1 and your home school #2, then you're ranking where you want to be. If longshot ranks you high enough, then you'll go there. If they don't, then you'll match at your home school. Either way, you will have been true to yourself.

 

[whopper]

I too had the same exact dilemna.

And the answer above is correct. The way the Match Program works, if you put in longshot programs above a program that's sure to take you, putting in the longshots won't hurt your chances with the programs where you are sure to get in.

Trust me, I double checked the algorithm that was mentioned above, went through all the double checking and paranoia with the system. It says it works that way on all the material on how the match works.

 

[Anasazi23]

The algorithim is somewhat complex, but I agree with the poster above. The match always looks at your #1 first, then attempts to match you to that choice if it is mathematically possible. If you don't fall into any of their slots, they go to your #2, and so on.

This method clearly benefits the applicant, which is why many programs try somewhat underhanded things to try to get all applicants to rank them #1 or close to it. That way they are more likely to get the applicant they want.

 

[drmistga]

haha a perfect example of the naivity of most medstudents that benefits us who understand (not you OP since you obviously took time to understand) but this is SDN-over achievers and there is still some posts not sure of how it works so you can imagine your average joe blow medstudent is ranking their home programs right and left. This does not really effect the top notch programs but the middle of the road students end up having more open spots since lots of decent applicants get freaked out and rank their home program higher than somehwere else! love it!

 

[maranatha]

haha a perfect example of the naivity of most medstudents that benefits us who understand (not you OP since you obviously took time to understand) but this is SDN-over achievers and there is still some posts not sure of how it works so you can imagine your average joe blow medstudent is ranking their home programs right and left. This does not really effect the top notch programs but the middle of the road students end up having more open spots since lots of decent applicants get freaked out and rank their home program higher than somehwere else! love it!

Yeah, I think you're probably right. That is unfortunate, though, b/c the match is set up to benefit the applicant.