'More contingous ranks = higher chance of matching in preferred specialty'

[jakomo]

Hi guys

Creating my ROL right now, and just need some clarification. I have applied to IM and FM, and honestly love both fields. I have NO PREFERENCE for one over the other. I have had some interviews in both fields, and a handful being very close to home.

The programs close to home are my top choice, and I would prefer to match at either first. Listing my top ten off (From 1-10)

FM - IM - FM - FM - IM - FM - FM - IM - IM - FM

My Top 5 are all very close to home, and so I would prefer to be at any of those FIRST. Now, this 'mean number of contiguous ranks' statement by NRMP. I'd like some help interpreting this please. Suppose I ranked my top 5 as FM, then obviously the algorithm will try to place me in those top 5 FIRST, and hence statistically speaking, my chances of matching in my 'preferred specialty' would be increased. In my case, where I don't have a 'preferred specialty' per se, I'm not necessarily DECREASING my chances at matching at any of these programs my ranking the way I have shown here, have I?

Basically I don't want to decrease my chances at matching if there is some funky quirk in the algorithm based on the number of specialties I rank. Any clarification?

Thank you!

(And yes, I've searched. Just need clarification on this specific point)

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[cbrons]

You really dont care about FM vs IM? They are very different specialties.

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

 

[jakomo]

You really dont care about FM vs IM? They are very different specialties.

Sent from my SM-N910P using SDN mobile

No. Hence my original post stating 'I HAVE NO PREFERENCE'.

Anyway, do you have any insight on my original topic?

 

[witzelsucht]

no it doesnt rejigger your list based on specialty. the contiguous rank thing is just retrospectively looking at data.

 

[sazerac]

Just rank where you want to go, in your order of preference. If you try to game the system by rearranging your list, your odds of matching at all are exactly the same, but the odds of matching at your preferred location will go down.

If you want to lower your odds of matching at all, you will need to start dropping programs from your list altogether.

The match will work best for you (and everybody else) if you just selfishly rank all the programs you want to work at, in your order of preference.