Match Statistics?

[NinerNiner999]

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I remember reading that some 90% of those who apply to EM as hard applicants will match in their top 3 choices. Does this percentage sound right to everyone? Have any of you heard differently? that being said, how do you plan to rank your programs when the time comes.

I have one program I am very interested in going to, and they have expressed to me that they are equally interested in having me, which pretty much makes the other programs good fallbacks in case something happens (I have four other programs as of now that I would still be very happy attending). I've read the NMRP algorithm and I suppose I am still in doubt of how this whole thing works - can someone give me advice for my situation?

 

[Sessamoid]

Originally posted by NinerNiner999
I remember reading that some 90% of those who apply to EM as hard applicants will match in their top 3 choices. Does this percentage sound right to everyone? Have any of you heard differently? that being said, how do you plan to rank your programs when the time comes.

I have one program I am very interested in going to, and they have expressed to me that they are equally interested in having me, which pretty much makes the other programs good fallbacks in case something happens (I have four other programs as of now that I would still be very happy attending). I've read the NMRP algorithm and I suppose I am still in doubt of how this whole thing works - can someone give me advice for my situation?

Basically, you should rank them in order that you'd like to be at them. They can't know your rank order list, and you can't know theirs. The only reason not to rank a program is if you'd rather scramble (possibly into a different specialty) than do your residency there.

 

[jazz]

the match algorithim works in your favor. thus, if a program has 10 spots and you are in the top 10 of their rank list, you are guaranteed that spot if you need it.

for instance, for the above scenario, if you rank the program 5th on your list and don't match at the top 4 of your choices, then you will match at the 5th place. it could be last on your list and if you don't match at all places you have ranked above it, if you are on their "guaranteed" spot, you will match. if you ranked that program 1st, you will get your first choice match spot.

as sessamoid said, the only reason not to rank a program is that you would rather go into something else or try and scramble than go there.

your rank list should be in the order you want to go to programs. you should not worry about where they rank you. in the end i ranked 14 programs and left 2 off. the last 4 or so programs on my list i would not have been happy if i had matched there, but i would have dealt with it. the top 5 i would almost have been equally happy -- it's hard to make your list there are pluses and minuses to everything.

 

[NinerNiner999]

Jazz - out of the 14 programs you ranked, which one did you end up matching at? Have you heard of people maching below their top 5 choices? I will have a total of 12 interviews offered, of which I will most likely interview at 9. Do you think that ranking 9 programs will be too few?

 

[Scrubbs]

Niner... of course there are no guarantees to the match process, but I can tell you that in my class last year, almost everyone I know matched (specialty-wide) in their top 5 (most top 3). Those that didn't weren't applying to plastics, derm or ophtho.

Our EM people all got within their top 3. It just seems to work out - that magical match computer. Don't freak now - you still have 3 months before match day 😀

 

[NinerNiner999]

Believe me- I'm not freaking out - BY FAR 😉 I'm feeling great about all of my interviews so far, and am thinking about stopping at 9 because I'm sick of traveling and trying to save some cash. I would be happy everywhere I have interviewed, and think I'm ready to chill after this week. It sounds like a rank list of 9 will be ok, so I'll just kick back, break out the rum, and start the egg nog early...

 

[DrQuinn]

I think I ranked 9 or 10... I think there is a statistic on the NRMP website, that on average, a person can almost be secured a spot if they rank 8 residencies. Of course there will always be exceptions.

One question that I asked the residents on the interview trail is where they ranked the program they were at. The furthest number I had seen was #5 (midwest program, a strong program).

Q, DO

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Quote from NinerNiner999: .

have one program I am very interested in going to, and they have expressed to me that they are equally interested in having me, which pretty much makes the other programs good fallbacks in case something happens

Bull****, bull****, bull****. Don't believe anything anyone says. I know many an applicant who didn't match at the program where the PD was "equally interested" in having him.

At my school, 5 of us matched at #1, 1 at #3, 1 at # 4, and 1 at # 5. The number of interviews we had ranged from 8-19

 

[Sessamoid]

I second the advice you don't take anything anybody says this early as written in anything but beach sand at low tide. One person (even the PD) saying they're "very interested" in you at this point in the game is nothing even close to a guarantee.

First of all, they haven't seen all the candidates yet, so they can't possibly know how they'd rank you yet.

More importantly, it's only one person's opinion. At most programs, the final rank list is decided on by a group of faculty members, perhaps including the chief resident or senior residents. So nothing at this point is written in stone.

I remember when I did this as asst. chief resident, that there were several candidates that really impressed one particular interviewer (including the PD), but because nobody else felt the same way those candidates ended up fairly low on the rank list. It only takes one person to think you're too weird or flaky and you end up way down on the rank list.

 

[jazz]

i second desperado and sessamoid

the best strategy is to rank all the programs you would be willing to attend. in other words, would i rather be in EM at xyz program or not match? if the answer is yes, than rank it. the match is designed so you will get the highest place on your list that wants you.

two stories to make you think. i know of a person who rotated at a program, got honors in the rotation at that program, got letters from that program, ranked it first and didn't match. the thing is the place didn't fill meaning that they did not rank that individual at all.

i interviewed at a program (at the time relatively new and in the midwest) and when i asked the resident why he chose it he said ... "well i ranked ten programs and this was number ten"

in other words, although most people get one of their top 3-5 programs, nothing is guaranteed. you don't want to get too cocky then regret it all on match day. you'll rather be the one saying "damn, i spent way too much time and money on interviews."

 

[tabasco]

Thank you, guys. I've had eight interviews and I was considering cancelling the last three. Maybe that's not such a good idea...