Length of ROL most significant factor?

[Biscuit799]

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So I've heard that the length of the ROL is the biggest contributing factor to matching. This seems like a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy to me. I would imagine that the most desired applicants would get the most interview invitations, and would thus have the best shot at matching. It's like in undergrad, all the really great applicants got several interview invites, the weaker ones got 1-2, and so on... It's like saying "the biggest factor in success of applying to med school is getting an acceptance from a school." Sounds kinda circular to me...

Any idea on what the real most important factor is regarding matching?

 

[Dr McSteamy]

if you rank 30 sites, it shouldn't hurt right............

 

[Biscuit799]

if you rank 30 sites, it shouldn't hurt right............

right, but to rank 30 sites you have to get 30 interviews, which means 30 places have to like your application enough to offer you one. This is much more likely with a strong applicant than a weaker one...

 

[NoMind]

So I've heard that the length of the ROL is the biggest contributing factor

It's not the length of your ROL but how you use it.

 

[werd]

It's not the length of your ROL but how you use it.

if you think about the matching algorhythm, programs' rank order lists determine where you can match, your list determines which of those places you actually do match. your order does not affect "if" you match.

aside from the length of ROL, which (in competetive fields) reflects overall strength of the applicant.. i think the most important thing is "not having any blatant weaknesses," as opposed to some pertinent positive. just a thought.

 

[NoMind]

if you think about the matching algorhythm, programs' rank order lists determine where you can match, your list determines which of those places you actually do match. your order does not affect "if" you match.

aside from the length of ROL, which (in competetive fields) reflects overall strength of the applicant.. i think the most important thing is "not having any blatant weaknesses," as opposed to some pertinent positive. just a thought.

You obviously didn't get the thrust of my point.

 

[werd]

indeed i did, but figured you still intended both meanings. it doesn't matter how well you weild your ROL if the program has you stuck on first, as it were 🙂.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Author > Content > Length

 

[AlternateSome1]

Author > Content > Length

I may be off, but I think you just had a dyslexic moment. ROL is being discussed, not LORs. 🙂

 

[Ypo.]

Author > Content > Length

Holy crap, I had a dyslexic moment too. Well no wonder, this thread is in the wrong forum!

 

[yeasterbunny]

So I've heard that the length of the ROL is the biggest contributing factor to matching. This seems like a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy to me. I would imagine that the most desired applicants would get the most interview invitations, and would thus have the best shot at matching. It's like in undergrad, all the really great applicants got several interview invites, the weaker ones got 1-2, and so on... It's like saying "the biggest factor in success of applying to med school is getting an acceptance from a school." Sounds kinda circular to me...

Any idea on what the real most important factor is regarding matching?

You are right, the length of your ROL will be limited by your number of interview offers, which is essentially a reflection of the overall strength of you application (assuming you applied to a sufficient number of programs). So the statement could be made, "your chances of matching depends on the strength of your application."

Now as for the "real" most important factor, that really depends on the field you are looking at. In radiation oncology, for example, you will struggle to get interviews without substantial research/publications, but Step 1 scores are less important and all but overlooked for those with really strong research backgrounds (i.e. MD/PhDs). In other fields on the other hand, Step 1 and/or AOA may be more crucial factors. The smaller fields are notorious for placing greater importance of LORs because they all know each other well. Etc.

I'm guessing you have seen this: Charting outcomes in the Match. This is where the statement comes from about the ROL length being the most important factor.

What field are you interested in?

 

[Biscuit799]

You are right, the length of your ROL will be limited by your number of interview offers, which is essentially a reflection of the overall strength of you application (assuming you applied to a sufficient number of programs). So the statement could be made, "your chances of matching depends on the strength of your application."

Now as for the "real" most important factor, that really depends on the field you are looking at. In radiation oncology, for example, you will struggle to get interviews without substantial research/publications, but Step 1 scores are less important and all but overlooked for those with really strong research backgrounds (i.e. MD/PhDs). In other fields on the other hand, Step 1 and/or AOA may be more crucial factors. The smaller fields are notorious for placing greater importance of LORs because they all know each other well. Etc.

I'm guessing you have seen this: Charting outcomes in the Match. This is where the statement comes from about the ROL length being the most important factor.

What field are you interested in?

General Surgery

 

[yeasterbunny]

General Surgery

OK, clinical grades/LORs then. And Step 1. Research, AOA, and advanced degrees not so important.