minimum number to rank?

[cjw0918]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Is seven programs too few to rank to make sure I match? With everyone saying path is more competitive this year I'm beginning to wonder if I should have done more interviews...btw, none of these places are uber competitive top-notch programs, most are second tier but solid. Thanks and luck to all!

PS Come to think of it, there's nothing I can do if seven programs is not enough. It's not like I'm going to get more interviews. So I guess this question is more about reassurance. Sorry, I just need a warm fuzzy. 🙂

 

[Pingu]

I'm ranking 5....interviewed at 6.

My programs are pretty much all top notch first tier type programs...this leads to a great degree of paranoia on my part. I got every interview I wanted except wake forest and hawaii. This boosts my ego in thinking that on paper I don't suck badly.

Who knows? I've heard it is more competitive but what does 'more' really mean? higher step scores? more people? more attractive (physically) people? people with skills?

My opinion is that most if not all american grads will match where they want...one program director pretty much said that it is still a buyers market as most programs are interviewing the same type of candidates...meaning that the first tier programs have their typical pool of applicants. I don't know if I believe in that optimistic of a scenario, but I think we all have a good chance of matching where we want.

 

[SLUsagar]

👎

Is seven programs too few to rank to make sure I match? With everyone saying path is more competitive this year I'm beginning to wonder if I should have done more interviews...btw, none of these places are uber competitive top-notch programs, most are second tier but solid. Thanks and luck to all!

PS Come to think of it, there's nothing I can do if seven programs is not enough. It's not like I'm going to get more interviews. So I guess this question is more about reassurance. Sorry, I just need a warm fuzzy. 🙂

nope, i think 7 is plenty. AGreed too, that you can't really do anything more besides rank all of 'em...well i guess you could scramble... 👎

my logic is (assuming you didn't interview at somewhere you just flat out do NOT want to be), why not just rank every place you visited.
me, i visited 12 places, and yes several are gonna be easy choices for the bottom, but i'm planning on ranking all 12. Of course, you're right, i (hopefully at least!!!!!!!!!!!!) won't hafta go that low on my list to match, but WHY NOT put all of the places??? i mean like i said above, if you picked places to visit that you at least consider going to, my opinion is that it's better to rank all of 'em (JUST in case something does happen....who knows) than to SCRAMBLE...which i think it's a HORRRRRIFIC idea.

 

[cytoborg]

Also interviewed at 12...also saw a couple I would much rather not wind up at. So do I still rank them, though? How do I know if I would rather scramble, when I don't know what will be available in the scramble? These are only semi-rhetorical questions. Anyone feel free to jump in here.

To the OP, statistically I think 7 gives you pretty good odds...can't remember the specifics of that, though. Did you get some good feedback from programs? I'd email up a storm. Let most (or all) of your programs know that you are very interested in them.

In the past there have been some great spots open in the scramble. But of course there is no telling what will be open this year.

 

[Gut Shot]

statistically I think 7 gives you pretty good odds...can't remember the specifics of that, though.

I heard the same number, although I can't remember where it came from. The odds of being matched increases as you add schools to your list, but the overall probability seems to level off at about #7.

So cjw0918, if you want to consider this a pure numbers game, then 7 should be fine. Good luck!

 

[yaah]

The only reasons not to rank all the programs you interviewed at are if you interviewed at so many that it starts costing money to rank more, or if you would rather face the hell of scramble than go to a place. I mean it sounds nice in theory to only be ranking a few programs, but is it really worth not ranking them all? I mean, you liked it enough to apply there, right? I ranked every program I interviewed at even though it was basically a pointless exercise, because you just never know!

 

[stormjen]

Seven is the minimum for comfort purposes, I'd say, given the match data from previous years. I'm personally ranking nine. Two places where I interviewed I will not rank at all because I would rather die in a tragic accident than go to them. But those two places are rather poor programs; the decent ones will all be ranked.

 

[cytoborg]

I mean, you liked it enough to apply there, right?

Thanks for the advice, and I see what you're saying. I think the problem is I didn't know anything about a couple of the programs when I applied (no scutwork review, no friends there, none of my resident friends here interviewed there, no one in my dept seemed to know much about them)...I chose them for their locations and decided to check them out in person. When I visited I didn't end up liking them. But their locations are still good for me and I suppose it would be better than scrambling, which by all accounts is a traumatic experience.

 

[cytoborg]

Two places where I interviewed I will not rank at all because I would rather die in a tragic accident than go to them.

Well if that's the criteria for not ranking programs, I guess I'd better rank all of mine! 😉

 

[Pookies]

10 interviews. only ranking 9. I would rather scramble for peds than go to that other place.

 

[EvilNewbie]

Interviewed at 20 will be ranking 15 (that's the limit before they start charging ).... Hopefully, I will be getting into my top 6, I would be happy in any of those programs!

 

[yaah]

10 interviews. only ranking 9. I would rather scramble for peds than go to that other place.

Well then, that is a good reason! 👍

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Yeah, to reiterate what's been said, the dean of students here who also is our main match adviser tells us that your chances of matching go significantly up if your rank order list is 7 or more. And this was for more competitive specialties. So if you rank around 7 give or take, I think you're fine.

I interviewed at 12 and am ranking 10. I would prefer getting shot with booger missiles from sick kids with RSV than to match at those 2 places.

 

[cytoborg]

I would prefer getting shot with booger missiles from sick kids with RSV than to match at those 2 places.

You crack me up dude.

 

[Pingu]

I think the problem is I didn't know anything about a couple of the programs when I applied (no scutwork review, no friends there, none of my resident friends here interviewed there, no one in my dept seemed to know much about them)

I had sort of the exact opposite...knew all about one of my programs...had great reviews from everyone I knew, but when I went I was FAR from impressed. Everything just seemed really really wrong there. I don't know why or how, but my gut instinct told me to get the heck out of dodge with regards to that program. So I'm not ranking them as I would rather wear payless shoes for the rest of my life than wind up there.

 

[Logos']

..