Ranking

[FutureDoc86]

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This is very broad. First of should you rank all of your programs even though some of them i didn't love! aka ranking more than 7?
Secondly, are there any stats in Pediatrics as to how many people get there number one-three? Its just sooooooooo hard for me to contemplate the fact that I may go lower only because i love my top three programs so much!
Thanks!

 

[physicsnerd42]

This is very broad. First of should you rank all of your programs even though some of them i didn't love!

Only don't rank a program if you would prefer to go unmatched than match there. Would you rather have to scramble than train at your #8? How about #10? If the answer to that question is "no" than rank that program.

 

[Doctorverardoll]

I changed my rank list 4 times last night. My fiancé made me close my lap top. Confirmed my final with my BFF to make sure I'm right. I think I need to block the NRMP website.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

This is very broad. First of should you rank all of your programs even though some of them i didn't love! aka ranking more than 7?
Secondly, are there any stats in Pediatrics as to how many people get there number one-three? Its just sooooooooo hard for me to contemplate the fact that I may go lower only because i love my top three programs so much!
Thanks!

Rank everywhere you would be willing to go which means almost everywhere, if not everywhere, you interviewed. It is better to be disappointed with your 7th choice than to scramble into your 30th choice or worse, to not scramble successfully. The chance of doing better in the scramble than with one of your lower choice places is low, so rank anywhere you would go. However, as always, remember that the match is binding. If there is somewhere you would not go no matter what (why did you interview there?) then don't list them.

I'm sure there are stats on % at top three choices but they won't tell you about your chances. If your top three were Boston Children's, CHOP and Cincinnati and your Step 1 was 190, then you're a bit of a long-shot.

Most who interview and rank appropriate places, recognizing that in general, pedi doesn't place as much emphasis on Step scores as some more competitive fields, are very likely to match at their top 3. BTW, I matched at my #3 a long time ago and it was fine and I loved it.

Good luck to all with your ROL decisions!🙂

 

[pinarello]

To reiterate what physicnerd42 said, only rank places that you could conceivably see yourself working and living at for the next 3+ years. Rank enough that will most likely ensure that you'll match somewhere. According to the 2011 Charting Outcomes, 1 contiguous rank in pediatrics will get you at about 90% probability of matching, so I wouldn't worry too much about having as long a list as something like integrated plastics.

From what I've heard from residents on the interview trail, seems like most peds residents have gotten their #1 choice.

If it's any consolation, I won't be ranking my home program because I can't see myself living where I am currently for another 3 years. Even though it's one of the better peds program in the Southeast, I prefer the Northeast or West coast. Don't feel bad about not ranking a particular program. In the end, you should be happy where you do your residency.

 

[MiniNMD]

Just make sure you rank everywhere you're willing to go. It's so not worth it to end up unmatched even if it seems really unlikely because you're a good candidate. I saw unfortunate things happen to smart people who just for whatever reason left perfectly good places off their rank list last year. It's not worth it.

Also one thing that starts to happen this time of year is lots of feedback from programs that may not be at the top of your list with "you're ranked to match" type blah blah blah. Don't attempt to read too much into it. Do what's right for you. But also if you get that kind of feedback feel free to be polite about it and thank whomever is sending you the email. I got some really nice feedback from places that didn't end up that high on my personal rank list but I was nice, and sent nice replies back and after the match I ended up with a bunch of "we're sorry you didn't end up here, but please keep us in mind for fellowship" type emails. That kind of networking will probably be priceless for me next year so keep in mind that even if it's some place that you thing is wrong for you for residency the world of academic pediatrics is small and you never know who could help you get to the next step of your career.