Main Residency Match (R-1)

Application Process - Ranking - Applicant Instructions for Ranking

Accessing the Ranking System via AWS

Once the ranking period is open, you can log on to AWS as usual and select the "My Program Selections and Assignments" header link at the top of the page. A "Rank Order List" link will appear in the left menu on this page. Click the "Rank Order List" link and you will then see a page containing all of your submitted Programs.

Entering Your Rank Order List Data

Your “Rank Order List” page – and the features on it – is a work area to rank, remove ranks and re-order your program submissions. Do not fear using any of the features on this page while developing your preferred ranking list. All other features allow you to work on your list development up until you are satisfied with your rankings.

By default, the programs you applied to will automatically be displayed with a blank box to the left of each program. You can enter numeric ranks in the blank boxes (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). If you leave a gap in your numeric sequence (i.e. 1, 2, 4, 5), the system will automatically fill this gap when you save. You will receive a red message at the top of the page indicating the gap was filled. If you do not enter a number, but enter a letter or special character, the system will not accept the rank when you Save. A red error message will appear to the right of the intended selection stating, ” You must use a number to rank a program. ”

To ensure your work in progress is not lost, you must click the “Save” button each time you complete your list development work.

After your initial Save of ranked programs, you will notice that the page becomes two distinct lists. The top list contains the programs you have ranked and saved to date. The bottom list contains those programs that have not yet been ranked.

You can re-order your selections in the top list and move programs that have already been saved by using the “Move to” box. You simply add a new preferred rank number into the “Move to” field and then save. You can add programs from your bottom list to your top list by inserting a number in the box to the left of the corresponding program and then saving the list.

You should be aware that modifications to your list affect your entire list. For example, if you choose to insert a program into Rank #4 on a list of 10 ranks, the less preferred programs are automatically moved down one rank. The program previously ranked #4 becomes rank #5, rank #5 becomes #6, and so on. (For more information, click here.)

You can “Remove” a program from the top ranked list and place it back on the bottom list of unranked programs by checking the Remove box next to the program. After saving your list, the remaining ranks on your top list will be re-displayed, closing any gaps that may have been created.

You should use the “Clear” feature carefully. This action will remove all previous ranking information you have inputted and set all your rankings back to blank or square one.

The “Couple” button will take applicants to a page in which you will be able to indicate your desire to participate in the Match as a member of a couple. To participate as a couple, you must be prepared to identify your partner by entering his/her applicant Code Number and Last Name into the AWS system. Your partner must also identify you as his/her partner when entering his/her Rank Order List into AWS. If you want to change your status to “Couple”, please carefully read the available documentation on couples ranking (Click Here).

Another feature on the ranking page is the “View My ROL” button. This will allow you to view and print your work in progress. It is strongly recommended that you display and print a final copy of your submitted Rank Order List for your records before the Rank Order List deadline.

Some applicants prefer to prepare their ranking on paper and then manually transfer this data to the AWS ranking system. A Worksheet for Ranking Programs is available by clicking here.

Submitting Your Rank Order List

Once you have completed entering your ranks and have saved the list, it must be submitted in order to be used in the Match. To submit your rank order list, click the “submit 1 of 2” button on the Rank Order List page. You will be forwarded to another page where you will see your final rank order list and a submit 2 of 2 button. Clicking this button will submit your list for use in the match and will also initiate an email from CaRMS confirming your list is ready to be used in the match.

If the Submit 1 of 2 button does not appear at the bottom of your list, this means you have already submitted your list and no further changes have been saved. If you would like to modify your submitted list (which you can do up until the deadline), simply click the View My ROL button and then click the Edit button. Your last submitted list is identified by a date and time stamp at the top of the submitted list. Each time you successfully submit your list, you will receive an automatically generated e-mail notice from CaRMS confirming the date and time of list submission.

Rank Order List Statuses

During the applicants’ ranking period, there are three different status levels for your list: Unsaved, Saved and Submitted.

1. An Unsaved list is the default program selection list each applicant is provided with at the outset of the ranking period. An Unsaved list contains only the applicant’s unranked list of programs. An Unsaved list has either not yet been worked on by the applicant or the applicant has used the Clear feature to start their list from scratch once again.

2. A Saved list is a list that is partially completed by the applicant. This list is a work in progress that will be completed and submitted prior to the deadline. Applicants should Save their lists (and log-off from AWS) each time additional work has been completed on their list development.

3. A Submitted list is a list that has been completed by the applicant. You can still make changes after submitting your list, but if you do so, the list must be re-submitted before the deadline. Only lists that have been Submitted will be used in the Match. You can view and print your list once it has been submitted. It is also a good idea to submit your list well in advance of the deadline in case warning messages occur upon submission. This will give you adequate time to modify your list before final submission. If the Submit button does not appear at the bottom of your list, this means you have already submitted your list and no further changes have been saved. If you would like to modify your submitted list, simply click the View my ROL button and then click the Edit button. Your last submitted list is identified by a date and time stamp at the top of submitted list. Each time you successfully submit your list, you will receive an automatically generated e-mail notice from CaRMS confirming the date and time of list submission.

Remember… a Saved list is not a Submitted list and will not be processed in the Match. You MUST Submit your list prior to the deadline.

CaRMS will not accept transmission difficulties as a reason to extend the deadline time. The deadline date and time is FINAL.