Rank list order

[hopefulmed]

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Thinking about residency application...

So did a little reading and still confused. Hypothetically, say I can rank 10 programs, some competitive, some back up. Assuming that the competitive programs are ranked in the first 9 positions, and the back up is ranked at 10th. Also, assuming that all 9 programs are filled by ranking other applicants higher than me. Even if the 10th program rank me highly on their list, if other applicants to that program rank the program highly, wouldn't this mean that they'll get first shot and I'd be **** out of luck?

Another way to phrase the question, isn't there some benefit for me to rank a less desirable program higher as it will provide me with a better security of matching? I know people say we should rank wherever we want to go more higher, the match works in our favor.. but... yea..

 

[Blade28]

If the 10th program ranked you higher than the other applicants, then you'll get matched there ahead of them.

 

[yaah]

Rank the programs in the order you prefer them. The algorithm favors you. Do not try to "game" it.

 

[Blade28]

Rank the programs in the order you prefer them. The algorithm favors you. Do not try to "game" it.

Exactly.

People are better off now because the current algorithm is applicant-oriented, versus the older one which was program-oriented.

 

[gutonc]

Think of it this way. Each time a program high on your list fills without matching you, you don't go down your list as much as your list comes up.

So if your first 9 programs fill before they get to you, your #10 program becomes your #1 and if that program ranked you higher than 20 people who ranked it #1 then you'll match there.

As above, do not try to game the system...you will lose.

 

[Rogue_Leader]

I think the assumption which applicants need to get rid of is that the process is "first come first serve" or "rolling admissions" or some other concept where it's thought that if you don't secure a position early, there won't be one later (that's how the scramble works, but we're not talking about that). Basically, if you list a hospital and they rank you at the top of their list, then you bump someone lower on the hospital's list from matching at that hospital. Conversely, if someone higher than you on the hospital's list wants to go there, then you will be bumped. If you follow this through, any hospital which wants you enough will make room for you, even if you rank other programs higher on your list; if you rank 10 programs above your "safety", and they all rank you last on their list, it doesn't affect your chances of matching at your 11th program because if they've ranked your 1st on their list, they'll bump some other guy to give you a spot.

 

[buckley]

Think of it this way. Each time a program high on your list fills without matching you, you don't go down your list as much as your list comes up.

So if your first 9 programs fill before they get to you, your #10 program becomes your #1 and if that program ranked you higher than 20 people who ranked it #1 then you'll match there.

As above, do not try to game the system...you will lose.

that's how i thought about it!

 

[SaintFrances]

Ok, so I have read all the responses to this thread. My question is how do you know that this is in fact true? Does the NRMP publish the algorithm somewhere so we can all confirm that this is really the way the match is handled? Everyone I talk to affirms the info stated above, but I just don't believe them. I still cannot shake the idea that by ranking more competitive programs ahead of lesser competitive ones, I am somehow increasing the chances that I may not match AT ALL. I always wonder how people who interview and rank 15 programs manage NOT to match ANYWHERE (this info was gained from "Charting the Outcomes").

Perhaps if they had ranked the programs differently...they may have matched?

 

[Ashers]

Ok, so I have read all the responses to this thread. My question is how do you know that this is in fact true? Does the NRMP publish the algorithm somewhere so we can all confirm that this is really the way the match is handled? Everyone I talk to affirms the info stated above, but I just don't believe them. I still cannot shake the idea that by ranking more competitive programs ahead of lesser competitive ones, I am somehow increasing the chances that I may not match AT ALL. I always wonder how people who interview and rank 15 programs manage NOT to match ANYWHERE (this info was gained from "Charting the Outcomes").

Perhaps if they had ranked the programs differently...they may have matched?

I was bored and read this last spring. The NRMP Match Algorithm. I didn't reread it tonight, but I believe it covers what you're asking.

 

[dragonfly99]

hopefuldoc and saintfrances
You are both wrong.
gutonc is totally right.
Yes the algorithm is published. Ranking programs that you don't like as well (but that might be less competitive) higher will NOT increase your chances of matching. You should rank the program YOU like best as #1, and so on down your list. Just don't let the "lower down" programs realize that you aren't going to rank them that high...this is where the art of interviewing comes in.

 

[SaintFrances]

I was bored and read this last spring. The NRMP Match Algorithm. I didn't reread it tonight, but I believe it covers what you're asking.

Thanks for the link, man. I read the whole thing and it answered all my questions. I am now a "believer" in the NRMP Match.