Strategy for Ranking

Key Takeaways

Ranking Strategy

After you have evaluated all the applicants to your track(s), you must determine for each track the order of preference for applicants you wish to rank. You must enter and certify a separate Rank Order List in the NMS Match System for each track.

You should rank all applicants who are acceptable for each track. It is the responsibility of the Program Director to ensure that each applicant ranked by the program is eligible for training at your institution.

You may rank as many applicants as you wish for each track. By ranking more applicants, you may reduce the likelihood of being left with unfilled positions.

For each track, rank your most preferred applicant first, your next most preferred applicant second, and so on. The Rank Order List should accurately reflect the true desirability of each applicant to the track.

The algorithm will match each track with the most preferred applicant(s) on its list who have ranked that track and who are not matched with tracks they prefer.

Because of the way the matching algorithm works, you do not need to consider how you think an applicant will rank your track when preparing the rankings.

Your best strategy is to rank applicants in order of your true preferences, without consideration for how you think any applicant will rank your track.

Do not rank any applicant who is not acceptable for a track, even if the track might have unfilled positions. The CASPR results are binding; if a track is matched with an applicant you ranked, you must accept the CASPR result. Violations of the rules will be reported to AACPM.

• Read more about the Matching Algorithm
• Program Agreement

Q & A

• What is the best strategy for ranking?

  In order to get your best possible result, you should rank applicants in order of your true preference.

  The algorithm is specifically designed to give each participant their best result if they rank their choices in order of true preference. Using any other strategy may cause you to get a worse result for your track. For example, if you decide to order your preferences by who is likely to rank your track highly, you may not get your most preferred applicants.

  Do not rank any applicant that you consider unacceptable (i.e., you would not want them matched to your track under any circumstances).

  Related Links:

  • The Matching Algorithm

• Does the recommended strategy change if my track offers more than one position?

  No. You should always rank applicants according to your true preferences.

  If your track has more than one position, the specific rank numbers you assign to your most preferred applicants, up to the number of positions to be filled from that list, are not significant. For example, if your track offers two positions, the specific rank numbers (1 or 2) assigned to your two most preferred applicants are not significant, as positions are available for both of these applicants if they want them. However, for less preferred applicants (ranks 3 and onward) the specific rank numbers you assign are very significant as they indicate your preference for each of these applicants if your track cannot match with your two most preferred applicants.

  Related Links:

  • The Matching Algorithm

• How many applicants can I rank for each track?

  You may rank as many applicants as you wish for each track. There is no limit to the number of applicants you rank.

  You should rank all applicants who are acceptable for your track. Applicants generally apply to and rank several programs. Tracks that do not rank all acceptable applicants may not fill all of their positions. By submitting a longer list of applicants, you may reduce the likelihood of being left with unfilled positions.

  Do not rank any applicant that you consider unacceptable (i.e., you would not want them matched to your track under any circumstances).

• What happens if I do not rank more applicants than positions available at my track?

  Tracks that rank fewer applicants than the number of positions available (e.g., 2 applicants ranked for 3 available positions) will, by definition, have one or more unfilled positions.

  Similarly, tracks that rank the same number of applicants as positions available (e.g., 3 applicants ranked for 3 positions) run a very high risk of having one or more unfilled positions.

  Positions that are left unfilled in the Match will be offered in MPII; positions left unfilled in MPII may be offered in the Post-Match Process.

  Related Links:

  • Filling Positions After Each Phase

• If my program has more than one track, can I rank the same applicant on more than one list?

  Yes. Programs offering multiple tracks can rank the same applicant on more than one Rank Order List and assign a different rank number to the applicant on each list, if desired.