Program preferences and the match

[epsilonprodigy]

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With the nature of the match, how often do programs end up "stuck with" applicants they're less than thrilled about? It seems like a shame that while an applicant might be gun-ho about a program, the program faculty might be lukewarm about them and forced to settle, despite the applicant falling midway or low on their rank list. Anybody else find themselves wondering about their place on their program's list?

 

[mcl]

With the nature of the match, how often do programs end up "stuck with" applicants they're less than thrilled about? It seems like a shame that while an applicant might be gun-ho about a program, the program faculty might be lukewarm about them and forced to settle, despite the applicant falling midway or low on their rank list. Anybody else find themselves wondering about their place on their program's list?

Once I see the names on the Match list, they instantly become my favorite applicants and the ones I was secretly hoping would come to my program. My PD feels the same. There is no settling--we like lots of applicants and just wouldn't rank someone we really didn't think we could work with/train (that is a VERY small number of people, and lots of years we rank everyone). We understand the process and don't take it personally if someone we ranked high ends up at another program. On the day the NRMP releases the Match results for ranked applicants (usually the Monday after the Match), we'll spend about 5 minutes looking at the list, then start planning orientation for our group of new interns who we are happy to welcome to our program.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

Aw, speshul!

No, in seriousness, that's nice to hear. Obviously numbers and a snapshot-style interview can't tell the whole tale. I'd bet that some mid-ranked applicants actually become the most stellar residents, and vice versa.

Mind sharing the egregious behaviors that have kicked people off the rank list altogether?