Match Question Regarding Algorithm

[RxBoy]

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Regarding algorithm for Advanced and Categorical

Hypothetically...

Program A had both Advanced and Categorical spots.

Lets say I rank

1) Advanced Program A + Supplemental List
2) Advanced Program B + Supplemental List
3) Categorical Program A

And the algorithm finds that I match in an Advanced Program A but no matches in Supplemental List. Will the algorithm either:

A) Match me in Advanced Program A and go unmatched for a Prelim

or

B) see Avanced Program A and Advanced Program B as unmatched (Because no match in supplemental) and create a Match in Categorical Program A?

PS= I know the colors make this post look like one of those goofy 90's HTML websites back in the day, but I figured it would help illustrate the point.

 

[Gimlet]

You would go unmatched for the prelim (option A). Sucks, I know. It's one of my big dilemmas about ranking right now, as I only did a few prelim/TY interviews.

 

[marr]

The computer will use your primary list to see where you have matched. By your scenario, on match day you will see "matched to advanced anesthesia program" and a a second message saying did not matched to prelim year. Then, you will have to scramble for a prelim year. The day before you scrambe you can call the nrmp and they will tell you what city you have matched into.

 

[RxBoy]

Ok Guys... I actually Called NRMP and got some good info for some of you applicants...

1) First off, the answer to my question above is it would match in Advanced first and leave your Prelim unmatched. Something you might want to think about before adding Advanced programs above Categorical.

2) You can add even more ranks as just PGY1 year at the bottom of your list if for example you don't match in any anesthesia programs, it will still try to match you in a Prelim Year. It will not match you in Prelim if you just have a supplemental list for an unmatched Adavanced program. So you need to rank them by themselves.

3) Make sure it says CERTIFIED ROL for status. If you make a change, save it but then never certify it before deadline... Not only will your new changes not take place, but your old certified list will not be in effect. She said that it happens a lot and then they have to go back and try to find an old certified list in there database. Better off not dealing with that so make no last minute changes any where near deadline of 9pm.

THought this advise could help you guys... Specially since I was so clueless.

 

[Gimlet]

3) Make sure it says CERTIFIED ROL for status. If you make a change, save it but then never certify it before deadline... Not only will your new changes not take place, but your old certified list will not be in effect. She said that it happens a lot and then they have to go back and try to find an old certified list in there database. Better off not dealing with that so make no last minute changes any where near deadline of 9pm.

Interesting...I'm surprised they do that, considering how abundantly clear they make it that every time you change your rank list that you need to re-certify because it doesn't save your old ones (popup window when you start editing and everything). Nice to know they might not be so rigid about these rules on the off chance you screw up majorly. But it should never happen....

 

[RxBoy]

Interesting...I'm surprised they do that, considering how abundantly clear they make it that every time you change your rank list that you need to re-certify because it doesn't save your old ones (popup window when you start editing and everything). Nice to know they might not be so rigid about these rules on the off chance you screw up majorly. But it should never happen....

MY guess is a lot of people try to do last minute changes, and then they have to pay with a credit card for extra ranks and the system shuts down by the time they put the info in. I am just going to have a final certified list a week in advanced.

Could you imagine doing all the interviews, paying all that money, and not even being included in the rank because of something so small? I think I would be borderline suicidal at that point.

 

[fakin' the funk]

You would go unmatched for the prelim (option A). Sucks, I know. It's one of my big dilemmas about ranking right now, as I only did a few prelim/TY interviews.

1. First of all, you specifically are a stud Gimlet so any prelim is gonna rank you to match.
2. It's better than the alternative - to have the Main and Supplemental ROLs linked such that you could miss out on your #1 advanced anesthesia b/c you didn't match in a prelim on the SROL!
3. Prelims/TYs probably know that anesthesia interns are better clinically (or at least, interpersonally) than the nerd parade shooting for RadOnc, Derm, Rads, etc. Unless the programs are numbers ******. 😀

 

[MTGas2B]

So, I had a med school classmate who, in the 2006 match, was able to match in an advanced spot, but he was unmatched on his suplemental list. Here's how it worked for him.

So, on match week Monday he gets the call. He is told which Anesthesiology program he has matched in. According to folks in our med school admin office they will let you know where you matched early so you can narrow your prelim scramble search. He ended up taking a prelim medicine spot in our med school's program. I can't say for sure this is the case for the 2009 match, I don't know anyone who has been in this situation since, but I can't imagine this has changed.

Wasn't really a bid deal for him. He matched, only had to move once. The point is, rank programs based on where you want to do your residency. Granted, you could get stuck with a cr@ppy intern year, but in the end you'll get what you want. I think you're better off sucking it up for cr@ppy intern year and doing residency in program you wanted than taking your chances with a prelim year and finding a spot outside of the match.

Just my opinion.

 

[guitarguy09]

... you could get stuck with a cr@ppy intern year, but in the end you'll get what you want. I think you're better off sucking it up for cr@ppy intern year and doing residency in program you wanted than taking your chances with a prelim year and finding a spot outside of the match.

On one hand this is true, but probably not for everyone. Some people may not want to take that chance if they need to stay in a specific city for that first year... like if they have a family or spouse with a set job, etc... (just saying it's not always black and white, but I agree with you for the most part and no one should rank programs that they wouldn't be willing to go to).

 

[MTGas2B]

What I mean you should rank Anesthesiology programs that work in your situation in the order you want, irregardless of prelim spots. Rank prelim spots appropriate to each advanced spot.

But don't rank an Anesthesiology program that works for you lower out of fear of not getting the right prelim spot.

Its a lot easier to get what you want, geographically, during the scramble for prelim spots than it is to get a residency spot outside the match in the geographically correct place. One year in the wrong place vs. three years in the wrong place.