Learn how to optimize your match
experience.
Rank all programs you are willing to train at in order of preferred training site. Don’t get sidetracked with guessing how programs will rank you.
Don’t rank any program you’re not willing to train at – remember the match result is a binding obligation.
Programs should rank all applicants they are willing to train, in order of preference. It’s that simple.
To maximize your chances, you should consider following the application instructions provided to you on their program description, provide a well composed application package, including a well thought out personal letter, and prepare yourself for the interview.
Matching to your first choice is a mutual agreement between you and your top ranked program that you would be a great fit. Leaving the best impression you can with your preferred program is the only piece of advice we can provide to maximize your chances of matching to that program.
Your match strategy begins with the application package you provide to programs you’re interested in.
Apply to programs you’re interested in and qualified for, provide a well constructed application package, and spend some time on the composition of your personal letters. If invited for interviews, prepare yourself well as this is your chance to leave an impression of you as a person. And finally, rank everywhere you are willing to train.
There are no shortcuts or formulas to follow to guarantee a certain match result.
No, it has no impact. The algorithm determines best fit by looking at applicant preference first, but finalizes the result by considering where the applicant is ranked on a program ROL. This is why you are encouraged to rank programs in order of true preference rather than where you think you may have a better chance of matching.
Yes, applying to multiple sites does change your likelihood of being matched as you have created more opportunities for yourself. You could be ranked on more lists, giving you greater access to training options.
However, you should only rank program sites you are willing to train at, because the match result is binding and programs will not move you to a more preferred location.
No. The algorithm optimizes your chances of matching to your best case match, but ranking only one program does not improve that chance because the program must also not only rank you, but rank you above other applicants interested in the same program. If either of these doesn’t happen, you will not match to that program and the algorithm will have no other match scenarios to explore for you.
Your rank order list should reflect your true preferences. Your choices should not be influenced by speculation about whether a program will rank you high, low, or not at all.
The position of a program on your rank order list will not affect your position on the program’s rank order list. Rank order lists are confidential, so your ranking decisions will not affect the program’s preference for matching with you compared to any other applicants.
During the matching process, each applicant is placed into their most preferred program that ranks them and does not fill its positions with more preferred applicants. Therefore, rank #1 should be your most preferred choice.
And remember, if you put your most preferred program in the #2 spot because you think you have a better chance at another program, you could match to the program you rank at #1 and never know if you could have matched to the program you wanted the most.
YES! Rank programs according to your true preferences. This gives you the best chance of matching to your most preferred program. If a match with your #1 ranked program is not possible, the algorithm will move down your ROL in sequence.
Applicants are matched to the most preferred program that ranks them and does not fill all its positions with more preferred applicants.
Not at all. The algorithm starts by attempting to match you to the highest ranked program on your rank order list, moving further down your list in sequence only if a match is not possible at your #1 ranked program.
No. Rank programs based on your preferences – the algorithm works the same regardless of how many training positions are available for your ranked programs.
No. Rank programs based on your preferences – the algorithm works the same regardless of how many training positions are available for your ranked programs.
