After interviews, it’s time for applicants to decide how they are going to rank their desired programs.
While applicants rank the programs they want to train at in order of preference, programs do the same with the applicants they want to train. These rank order lists (ROLs) are the only true determinants of a match outcome.
Ranking instructions for applicants
- The sequence of a rank order list should reflect an applicant’s true personal preferences, not how they think a program will rank them.
- Applicants don’t have to rank every program they applied to, so they should not rank programs they are no longer interested in.
- Applicants should not rank any program at which they are not willing to train. Match results are binding. This means applicants must accept any program they are matched with. Failure to honour this commitment may result in the penalties described in the applicant contract.
- Rank order lists are the decision makers in the match – any conversations with programs with regard to mutual interest are not official, or binding, and should not affect applicants’ decisions.
- Postgraduate programs are not permitted to ask applicants questions about their rank intentions and they can decline to answer such questions.
- If an applicant is ranking a program that has multiple sites, they have to rank each site separately.
- Applicants must get their ROL in on time in order to participate in the match.
Couples ranking
CaRMS’ ranking tools allow two applicants (partners) to prepare and submit their rank order lists as a couple. Using this option, an applicant pairs each program they want with a program their partner wants, and then ranks each of these pairings. Applicants can also create and rank pairs of choices in which only one partner may be matched, if one of them is willing to go unmatched if the other can get a position.
See an example of couples ranking in action
Couples ranking instructions
- All of the same rules and guidelines from a single rank order list apply – so applicants should only rank programs you’re willing to train at and submit their rank order list on time.
- Both partners must enter their side of the rank order list into their individual CaRMS Online account.
- Both partners must submit the same number of ranks.
- If during the ranking process an applicant decides to no longer participate in the match as part of a couple, they may change their status, as long as they do so before the rank order list deadline found in the applicant timeline.
- If one partner withdraws from the match, does not submit an ROL or does not correctly identify the other as his/her partner, applicants must submit their ROL as an individual in order to participate in the match.
For step-by-step instructions on how to submit a rank order list in CaRMS Online account, visit our Help Centre.
Help Center