Match algorithm

[Vapor]

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Just want to clear something up with the crowd:

Lets say I have the choice of 3 advanced programs (A,B,C) and 3 prelims (1,2,3)

I want my priority list as follows:
(advanced/prelim)

A/1
B/2 or 3
A/2
C/1
B/1
.. etc

In terms of the hospital's lists.. Only B and C ranked me highly.. and only 1 for prelim ranked me..


Now, my understanding is that the algorithm will go down the list.. A didn't end up ranking me.. so it goes to the next one.. B did rank me very highly.. so I matched in B.. now the supplemental list... I end up not matching in 2.. not in 3... Does the computer stop at that point?? Technically, what I want is for it to move to the next advanced spot.. ie. A (didn't match).. then C (did match.. and 1 did match) so C/1 should be my match..

My last minute understanding is that I would match in B and get a letter saying I matched an advanced but not a prelim..

Anyone understanding this differently (or same?))

 

[shift_roro]

My last minute understanding is that I would match in B and get a letter saying I matched an advanced but not a prelim..

That is correct.

Also, another thing is that there's no way to rank it in the order that you described. You can only list each advanced program once, with only one supplemental list associated to it. Otherwise, you may end up matching in program A, but forced to scramble unless you match to prelim 1. I would think you'd rather match to prelim 2 or 3 vs. having to scramble.

 

[Vapor]

Hmm.. That screws up my excel spreadsheet. lol. I had several advance programs paired up with several prelims that gave me a mind numbing number of combos..

I guess they do it this way to keep it simple

 

[Camel]

That is correct.

Also, another thing is that there's no way to rank it in the order that you described. You can only list each advanced program once, with only one supplemental list associated to it. Otherwise, you may end up matching in program A, but forced to scramble unless you match to prelim 1. I would think you'd rather match to prelim 2 or 3 vs. having to scramble.

BUT, bear in mind that if you match at only a prelim, you CAN NOT scramble, so if you would like the option to scramble, think about that (might not apply much in anesthesiology, but others).

 

[shift_roro]

BUT, bear in mind that if you match at only a prelim, you CAN NOT scramble, so if you would like the option to scramble, think about that (might not apply much in anesthesiology, but others).

If you're talking about matching into only a prelim position (on the primary ROL), then you can still scramble for any unfilled advanced positions. Just not categorical.

 

[Camel]

If you're talking about matching into only a prelim position (on the primary ROL), then you can still scramble for any unfilled advanced positions. Just not categorical.

Thank you for the clarification; I typed that in haste as I was leaving 🙂

 

[risnwb]

I'm confused now...

Say I rank like this with A and B as anesthesiology advanced programs and 1,2,3,4 as prelim years.

A, 1
A, 2
B, 3
B, 4

If I rank A first and they rank me highly, but then I don't get ranked by prelim years 1 or 2, wouldn't I be pushed down to program B unless I rank A alone without a prelim year attached after A1, A2?

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[ucla41]

I'm confused now...

Say I rank like this with A and B as anesthesiology advanced programs and 1,2,3,4 as prelim years.

A, 1
A, 2
B, 3
B, 4

If I rank A first and they rank me highly, but then I don't get ranked by prelim years 1 or 2, wouldn't I be pushed down to program B unless I rank A alone without a prelim year attached after A1, A2?

Thanks for clarifying!

No you wont get pushed down...I think the way the match works is that it matches you into your primary anesthesia program first...so if A lieks u and u like them ur in there...if your prelims dont like you, you will just go to a lower ranked prelim program or in worst case scenario have to scramble...

 

[ucla41]

Hmm.. That screws up my excel spreadsheet. lol. I had several advance programs paired up with several prelims that gave me a mind numbing number of combos..

I guess they do it this way to keep it simple

I feel ya Vapor...i wish we could do it the way you described but it would be too complicated

 

[G-Man82]

Just remember that the only way to match to a prelim off your supplementary list is to first match to the advanced program of that particular supplementary list. So if you don't match to Advanced program "A," then you won't match to any of the programs in the supplemental list and the Match algorithm will then move to program "B." If program "B" is also advanced, then it will open Supplemental List B (which may or may not be the same as your prior supplemental list) and attempt to match you to a prelim.

 

[Sunshine58]

Also, something our advisor told us... For a specialty with advanced programs like anesthesia, if you're worried about not matching (or incredibly anal like I am) be sure to rank prelims by themselves at the end of your list. Because if you don't match to one of your programs with prelim supplementals listed, the algorithm will not automatically put you into a prelim year. So if you don't match to an advanced or categorical program, you will still match at a prelim program (given you match to one of those).

 

[ucla41]

Also, something our advisor told us... For a specialty with advanced programs like anesthesia, if you're worried about not matching (or incredibly anal like I am) be sure to rank prelims by themselves at the end of your list. Because if you don't match to one of your programs with prelim supplementals listed, the algorithm will not automatically put you into a prelim year. So if you don't match to an advanced or categorical program, you will still match at a prelim program (given you match to one of those).

i thought you can't match into transitional programs or prelims if you dont have a residency match...heard something along those lines...or something like u have to drop your transitional year match....can someone clarify?

 

[Icefrog]

i thought you can't match into transitional programs or prelims if you dont have a residency match...heard something along those lines...or something like u have to drop your transitional year match....can someone clarify?

I'm sure you can match at a prelim or TY program and be unmatched at an advanced program, as long as you put those prelims in your primary list.

 

[shift_roro]

i thought you can't match into transitional programs or prelims if you dont have a residency match...heard something along those lines...or something like u have to drop your transitional year match....can someone clarify?

False. If you rank them on your primary ROL, then you can match into them.

 

[ucla41]

False. If you rank them on your primary ROL, then you can match into them.

are you guys all stacking the end of your primary ROL with prelims/ty?

 

[Camel]

Wow... I hope the general population of 4th-years does not have this level of misunderstanding of the match algorithm (and I hope my own understanding is accurate)!

 

[DScully]

are you guys all stacking the end of your primary ROL with prelims/ty?

I am...just in case I don't match into any anesthesia program.

 

[ucla41]

I am...just in case I don't match into any anesthesia program.

how many contiguous ranks will you have? im thinkin i will have 12-13 and based on the data last year i think thats a 99% match rate but i dont want to be that 1% lol...question is, say you end up matching to a prelim year...can you still scramble for anesthesia?

how hard is it to scramble for an anesthesia position? you know how they say not to rank places you dont want to go...well how bad is scramble? cant think of anything more stressful...

 

[DScully]

how many contiguous ranks will you have? im thinkin i will have 12-13 and based on the data last year i think thats a 99% match rate but i dont want to be that 1% lol...question is, say you end up matching to a prelim year...can you still scramble for anesthesia?

how hard is it to scramble for an anesthesia position? you know how they say not to rank places you dont want to go...well how bad is scramble? cant think of anything more stressful...

I guess it is all relative. You have to choose whether to scramble or go to a place you don't want to go. Neither is a good option. I was advised to avoid scramble as much as possible so I put prelim years at the end of my primary list.

My impression is that you can still scramble into an anesthesia program (only advanced ones) if you match into a prelim year. But the likelihood of that happening is very very small (I imagine).

 

[RapidSequence]

Hmmm, can any of you guys clarify this situation. A lot of the programs on my list have both Categorical and Advanced so it takes up 2 spots on my list. Even though I have 8 programs that I am ranking, 4 of them have both Advanced and Categorical which means I am ranking 12 on my ROL. When looking at charting outcomes the statistics are much better when ranking 8 versus 12, but in actuality aren't my chances the same because I am applying to the same number of programs? The program's lists for categorical and advanced are the same.

 

[ucla41]

Hmmm, can any of you guys clarify this situation. A lot of the programs on my list have both Categorical and Advanced so it takes up 2 spots on my list. Even though I have 8 programs that I am ranking, 4 of them have both Advanced and Categorical which means I am ranking 12 on my ROL. When looking at charting outcomes the statistics are much better when ranking 8 versus 12, but in actuality aren't my chances the same because I am applying to the same number of programs? The program's lists for categorical and advanced are the same.

had the same question but was told that the charting outcomes is based on the # of ranks u have on ur match list so u will have 12 ranks and if i remember correctly from the pdf about 95 people had 12 ranks and only 1 did not match so dont worry...

 

[5twilight5]

I guess it is all relative. You have to choose whether to scramble or go to a place you don't want to go. Neither is a good option. I was advised to avoid scramble as much as possible so I put prelim years at the end of my primary list.

My impression is that you can still scramble into an anesthesia program (only advanced ones) if you match into a prelim year. But the likelihood of that happening is very very small (I imagine).

I believe last year there were 733 spots for PGY1 anesthesia for AMGS and 723 were filled leaving 10 spots in 6 programs...not much unfortunately

For PGY2, there were 641, 625 were filled (16 spots free in 7 programs)

http://www.nrmp.org/data/resultsanddata2009.pdf

I have a feeling there will be fewer spots this year

 

[ucla41]

I believe last year there were 733 spots for PGY1 anesthesia for AMGS and 723 were filled leaving 10 spots in 6 programs...not much unfortunately

For PGY2, there were 641, 625 were filled (16 spots free in 7 programs)

http://www.nrmp.org/data/resultsanddata2009.pdf

I have a feeling there will be fewer spots this year

so if you add 5 transitional years to the back of ur anesthesia list, what kinda email will u get on monday march 15th if you dont match into anesthesia but match a prelim? will the email say what you matched in? i just got this ugly thought of matching only into a transitional year and getting an email sayin i matched but not specifying what i matched to..

 

[shift_roro]

so if you add 5 transitional years to the back of ur anesthesia list, what kinda email will u get on monday march 15th if you dont match into anesthesia but match a prelim? will the email say what you matched in? i just got this ugly thought of matching only into a transitional year and getting an email sayin i matched but not specifying what i matched to..

"Congratulations, you have matched to a one year position!"

as opposed to

"Congratulations, you have matched!"

 

[ucla41]

"Congratulations, you have matched to a one year position!"

as opposed to

"Congratulations, you have matched!"

what if you match into a prelim+advanced..will it tell you that u matched to both? i'm thinkin probably not...but i have not asked around...

 

[shift_roro]

what if you match into a prelim+advanced..will it tell you that u matched to both? i'm thinkin probably not...but i have not asked around...

http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/userguide/2010_applicant.pdf

You'll find your answer on pages 93-94.

 

[5twilight5]

what if you match into a prelim+advanced..will it tell you that u matched to both? i'm thinkin probably not...but i have not asked around...

In summary - if you matched into a categorical or advanced + prelim/TY, the email will say CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE MATCHED

if you did not match into something, you get additional info!

Good luck and cross all our fingers for "congratulations you have matched!"