How detailed is the ranking system for Categorical/Advanced programs?

[madmonkey28]

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Hi there, I know there are other posts about ranking these two, but I think my question is a little different scenario than what has been given before.

Is it possible to rank like this:
Categorical A
Advanced A + TY 1
Categorical B
Advanced A + TY2
etc

Pretty much the question is can you split your TY pairings?

 

[gutonc]

Hi there, I know there are other posts about ranking these two, but I think my question is a little different scenario than what has been given before.

Is it possible to rank like this:
Categorical A
Advanced A + TY 1
Categorical B
Advanced A + TY2
etc

Pretty much the question is can you split your TY pairings?

Yes. Every Advanced program will have an associated prelim list. You can have the same list for all of them, or vary it from program to program. Your advanced ROL takes precendence and your prelim list is only triggered when you match advanced...unless you don't match advanced and put your prelims at the end of your categorical list as a safety valve.

 

[DrBowtie]

Hi there, I know there are other posts about ranking these two, but I think my question is a little different scenario than what has been given before.

Is it possible to rank like this:
Categorical A
Advanced A + TY 1
Categorical B
Advanced A + TY2
etc

Pretty much the question is can you split your TY pairings?

Based upon 2 years ago the answer is no because you can't have the same program on your main list twice. It would add complexity to the algorithm since the computer would treat the advanced and TY similar to a couples match in that both need to be matched or else it moves down the list.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

As a tiebreaker, I agree the answer is no.

Each advanced program can only appear on your main rank list once. For each advanced match, you can reorder your prelim / TY choices. So, let's say that having both your TY and A matches in the same city was your most important outcome. Let's say you interview at Advanced Chicago and Advanced Boston, and also TY Chicago and TY Boston. Your options:

1. You rank Advanced Chicago first, then Advanced Boston. For the Chicago match, you rank TY Chicago, then TY Boston. For Advanced Boston, you rank TY Boston, then TY Chicago.

This option maximizes your chances of matching overall. Unfortunately, it makes a Adv Chicago - TY Boston match "rank" above a Adv Boston - TY Boston match.

2. You rank Adv Chicago followed by Adv Boston, for Adv Chicago you rank only TY Chicago, for Adv Boston you rank only TY Boston.

This option maximizes your chances of having both in the same city. Although your chances for an Adv Chicago / TY Chicago are the same as option #1, if that doesn't work (because of the TY) you'll then end up in SOAP instead of getting the TY Boston. You'd have to hope you can SOAP into something in Chicago. This is not a great plan, but if matching in two different cities is really that bad, it's the only option, except for....

3. Rank only Categorical programs. This absultely guarantees a single match / one city. Needless to say, it decreases your overall chances of matching by failing to list the Adv positions.