how to match at marianjoy??

[wannabeapmr]

i know the program is average at best, but if i want to match at this program for sure, would ranking first on my list guarantee me matching assuming they rank me high as well? thanks..

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[Bombesin]

This is more of general statement, so don't take it personally, but it's amazing how many medical students go through the match process without fully understanding how it works.

I think it goes without saying that if Marianjoy is where you want to go, then rank it #1. Your rank list should always be in the order of where YOU want to go. The whole process is already tilted in the favor of the applicant!

Is it a "guarantee" you'll match there? No. The only guarantees are if you pre-match and sign the contract or if the program breaks match rules and notifies you where they are ranking you. And even in that case, I've seen applicants get horribly screwed because they were "told" they are being ranked high enough to match and wind up not getting it. Take everything with a grain of salt.

For the sake of this discussion, say Marianjoy takes 8 people per year. If you rank it #1 and they rank you in their top 8, then you match. What if they rank you #9? In that case you won't match, UNLESS one of their top 8 winds up matching somewhere else. In that case, they've filled 7 of their 8, so it goes down their list and finds you at #9. Bam, match. The point is, even if you aren't in their top picks, you can still match there.

 

[wannabeapmr]

thanks! i have to admit, i dont fully understand how the match algorithm works...my question is, if i rank the marianjoy at #1 and they rank me alot lower than someone that ranks marianjoy 4,5,6 ect.. who will likely get a spot? i am match challenged!

 

[MSKalltheway]

That question really gets into a lot of unknown match scenarios, but remember the match is supposed to "favor" the applicant. The algorithm is supposed to look at your choices first, then go to the programs list. If this other "person" you are talking about ranks marionjoy 4-6 and are ranked highly by the program, they will only match if they dont match at the programs they ranked higher than marionjoy.

Unfortunately there's no real way to predict any scenarios of you vs other applicants, the best thing to do is to rank them #1, write everyone personal hand written notes saying how much you loved their program, and hope for the best. Good luck!

 

[wannabeapmr]

Thank you for your clarification. I hope for the best. I would like to have a spot somewhere in Chicago. That's is why I would like to know how to maximize my chances. Anyone have any ideas how many they interview at maianjoy? I asked the pc but she vaguely said that they start interviewing from November to febuary. All I know is that they interview 6 a day. Thanks!

 

[ihaveaquestion]

Depends on whether this person matches at his #1, 2, or 3. If not then he would be taken before you.

thanks! i have to admit, i dont fully understand how the match algorithm works...my question is, if i rank the marianjoy at #1 and they rank me alot lower than someone that ranks marianjoy 4,5,6 ect.. who will likely get a spot? i am match challenged!

 

[Ludicolo]

thanks! i have to admit, i dont fully understand how the match algorithm works...my question is, if i rank the marianjoy at #1 and they rank me alot lower than someone that ranks marianjoy 4,5,6 ect.. who will likely get a spot? i am match challenged!

ihaveaquestion is correct. If you haven't already done so, read this first.

Don't overthink things. Rank your programs in order of preference. If MJ is your favorite program, then rank them first. Don't worry about how other candidates rank MJ, don't worry about how MJ ranks you. Those things are out of your control. As Bombesin said, there are no guarantees. But you will optimize your chances of matching at your #1 if you rank them #1.

I hope for the best. I would like to have a spot somewhere in Chicago. That's is why I would like to know how to maximize my chances. Anyone have any ideas how many they interview at maianjoy? I asked the pc but she vaguely said that they start interviewing from November to febuary. All I know is that they interview 6 a day. Thanks!

MJ currently has 6 advanced (PGY-2) spots available. Given the 10:1 rule of thumb, figure they interview about 60 per year.

 

[PMnR11]

Information on creating your ROL can be found at www.nrmp.org <http://www.nrmp.org> in the Residency Match/Participant Type/Rank Order Lists pages, in the NRMP User Guide at <http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/userguide/2011_applicant.pdf> and the Creating a Rank Order List webcast <http://www.nrmp.org/rol2011.pdf>.

 

[PMR2008]

i know the program is average at best, but if i want to match at this program for sure, would ranking first on my list guarantee me matching assuming they rank me high as well? thanks..

Having rotated at all the Chicago programs and interviewed at about 11 when I was a med student I can safely say that MJ is way above average. I am currently a PGY3 here and could not be happier with my choice. It is a free standing rehab hospital that trains you to be a competent private practice physiatrist. They have no intention to train you to be a academic or research physiatrist. They teach you the business and science of being a physiatrist from day one. I am in the middle of my third year and I am very comfortable in managing inpatient, subacute, clinic, botox, ultrasound, emg and basic interventional pain. I am planning on a interventional spine fellowship but that is only because I want to be comfortable with advance procedures and it is more marketable.
As for your desire to come to MJ make sure the PD and coordinator knows about it. Most students who rotate at MJ are ranked very high and like any place else are preferred as the attendings and residents get to know them. If you don't match into psych or PM&R this year they have 2 spots outside the match that they offer in February. If you have any questions just message me.