NRMP algorithm and medical school applications

[cetac]

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In honor of the Nobel in Economics going to the two people who essentially invented the algorithm the NRMP is based on, I pose a (probably unoriginal) question: could the NRMP algorithm effectively be applied to medical school applications as well as it is for residency applications?

 

[drizzt3117]

In honor of the Nobel in Economics going to the two people who essentially invented the algorithm the NRMP is based on, I pose a (probably unoriginal) question: could the NRMP algorithm effectively be applied to medical school applications as well as it is for residency applications?

It's implemented in a way in tx. I think it'd be a stupid way to do it but it is done similarly in other countries.

 

[FutureInternist]

In honor of the Nobel in Economics going to the two people who essentially invented the algorithm the NRMP is based on, I pose a (probably unoriginal) question: could the NRMP algorithm effectively be applied to medical school applications as well as it is for residency applications?

All schools in Texas (except Baylor) already do that.
The only difference is once you have matched into a program, there is a certain time by which you must accept. By mutual agreement of the schools, no one can be offered a spot after a certain date. So if you get into one, you can wait it out to see if someone else offers you a spot. If not, then you are "stuck" in your first acceptance

 

[bobow98]

Imagine not being able to choose where you want to end up in the US...

 

[SpecterGT260]

In honor of the Nobel in Economics going to the two people who essentially invented the algorithm the NRMP is based on, I pose a (probably unoriginal) question: could the NRMP algorithm effectively be applied to medical school applications as well as it is for residency applications?

it could..... but I am not really sure why they would do this.

The reason for doing it at residency is that each program has already invested a large amount of resources into each student. If all of these students were just turned loose to compete in a manner similar to med admissions, there would be many people left with no placement and many programs left with open seats. Basically we would have nothing but scramble. The match is just there to make sure there is no wheel spinning after graduation.

This isnt a big deal for med admissions. With the wait lists, med schools don't have to worry about empty seats and (other than applicants) nobody really incurs any downside by simply rejecting the rest. Even with a match system, there wouldnt be more people admitted so I don't see what it would accomplish.