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So one doesn't have a better chance at matching into one's home program? Or, this practice just isn't done for other reasons?
I think the no was in response to you asking if it was #1 for safety reasons. The way the match works, you rank by your preference and it won't hurt you. A lot of people rank home #1 simply because they like it the most, are comfortable there, may have family, etc.So one doesn't have a better chance at matching into one's home program? Or, this practice just isn't done for other reasons?
I think the no was in response to you asking if it was #1 for safety reasons. The way the match works, you rank by your preference and it won't hurt you. A lot of people rank home #1 simply because they like it the most, are comfortable there, may have family, etc.
Oh okay, I see. Thanks!
So, in theory, one could rank Top tier programs first and (as long as they ranked some more reasonable programs somewhere in their list) could still match?
I will never understand how people have so much trouble understanding the match. It seems pretty straightforward although it was genius to think it up.
This video explains how the match algorithm works:
Very informative video, thanks! One question that wasn't addressed in the video: can one only rank a program that he/she interviewed at? What is stopping one from ranking an obscene number of programs to prevent having to go through SOAP?
You can rank any program you want (after a certain number you start paying more, I think), but you have to be ranked by a program to possibly match, and if a program didn't interview you they're not gonna rank you (unless there was some miraculous typo).Very informative video, thanks! One question that wasn't addressed in the video: can one only rank a program that he/she interviewed at? What is stopping one from ranking an obscene number of programs to prevent having to go through SOAP?
It depends. Often it behooves a program to take people from their own school, plus they're more likely to be a known commodity if they've been involved in the department for several years, vs a month for a rotator or day for an interviewee. The super competitive programs might be a bit of a different story.I was also curious about that - is it generally easier to match to your home program (even if your home program is MGH, etc.)?
why is that the case?/not the case?
Shouldn't that processing be made before making a list 'so far down'? I mean if one can anticipate getting so upset about it before hand, wouldnt it help to recognize that and not rank it at all?
That's not how the match algorithm works. Always rank according to preference.Do most people rank their home institution's program #1 for safety reasons? I have yet to begin med school but would love some tips on how to match successfully.
Sorry for the thread hijacking, OP. Congrats on matching into your field of choice!
When I ask my mentor if our program like to keep their own students he just said we rank the best applicants regardless of where they went to medical school. So if that's the case is a home program more beneficial in the sense of getting stronger letters and advocates to make calls for you and not necessarily that they will rank you highly. Looking at to schools like mayo and Havard most of their students end up in their programs. I wonder why most schools don't do this.That's not how the match algorithm works. Always rank according to preference.
How the NRMP Match Works
It's always a good idea to apply to and rank your home program.
Lowly MS0 here who is about to matriculate, but I think the consensus is: Apply to many programs, attend all of your interviews, and rank every program you'd prefer to attend over SOAP