Why is not Match Day Feb 22?

[Sabreman]

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If the rank lists are all entered by Feb 21, and the computer does the Matching, why can't we find out our Matches the next day? Or at least the next week to give those unmatched the time to scramble? Does anyone have an idea why it takes one full month between rank list submissions and the Match?

 

[Sevo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by HighpowerdMed:
•If the rank lists are all entered by Feb 21, and the computer does the Matching, why can't we find out our Matches the next day? Or at least the next week to give those unmatched the time to scramble? Does anyone have an idea why it takes one full month between rank list submissions and the Match?•••••Tradition, dating back to the days when the match was done by hand.

 

[Cassidy61]

funny, i was actually talking about this today! best my friends and i could figure is that they run the match a few times on the computer and make sure that everything comes out the same. they probably have the buffer just in case they have to scrap the computer and go back to the hand method. this way, it wouldn't provoke a panicked frenzy among students if the computer screwed up.

 

[GTMD2Bee]

Now this is pure heresay, but someone told me that residency programs have a later deadline than students. If that is true, that may explain some reason why there is a month between when our deadline is and match day.

 

[dr.evil]

It really is just tradition. The computer program for the rank list only takes 6 minutes to run so you could have your results the next day but everything in medicine is pure tradition.

Applicants and programs both have the same deadline for rank lists.

I think they really do this because we 4th years would just become totally worthless one month earlier 🙂 .

fuigmi (f*** u, I've got my internship!)

I know, bad language, but you'll be saying "fuigmi" a lot after March 21 .

 

[carddr]

🙄 Here's the scope from the NrMP: During this time, MRMP takes a number of major steps to assure the accuracy of both the Match and the subsequent release of Match information. These steps include:
*Checks that all data collected are correct and complete; and creates data files for use in the Match.
*Transfers the data to the algorithm module, checks it again and runs the Match.
*Checks the results of the Match and transfers the data into the NRMP databases.
*Creates over 60,000 individual reports for applicants, programs and schools assuring confidentiality of the information. These reports are then posted to the web in accordance with the release of Match Results schedule.
*In additon, time is allotted for unmatched applicants and unfilled programs to make decisions before Match Day.

So contray to what you might think those little elves are working their buns off!!! Just thought you'd like to know. Info off NRMP web site.

 

[denise]

I will have to agree with famtiadr . When my husband (whom is a "computer guy") was reading about how the match works, he was not surprised on how long it would take. Just imagine those programs who rank 100 canidates(which I have heard of) and then the applicants who rank 25 programs. It is a long process. Painful for us all. . . but I guess no more painful then waiting for those board scores 🙂 Well, maybe this is worse :wink:

I was informed that the programs turn in their list the same time we do.

 

[Voxel]

I was talking to my friend, who happens to have a PhD in computer science. When I explained the ranking and match algorithm to him, he said a top notch pentium 4 could do the calculations in less than 1 weekend worth of computing time. He started laughing when I asked him how long a super computer at Caltech (his alma mater) would take to finish the match calculations.

 

[imyy4u]

I think there a lot of us who feel the same...considering all the money we've put into the system, it's ridiculous that we have to wait so long, 10-14 days seems a lot more reasonable...the computer processes and rechecks everything multiple times in a matter of a few days...and I don't really care about tradition, there have been lots of changes over the years....traditonally it only cost the stamp on the envelope to apply to a program.