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Rank Lists

Rules for Ranking

  • Rank all the programs where you interviewed!
    • Unless there is a compelling reason you would not want to train there, every program should be ranked
      • When leaving a program off your list, ask yourself, “Would I rather go unmatched or train at this program.”
    • Applicants who rank more programs have a higher probability of matching
  • Rank the program you really want #1!
    • Rank all programs in the order that you prefer them without regard to your perceived chances of matching there
  • Do not try to game the system
    • The Match algorithm will give you the highest program possible on your list. It will continue to try until your top choice is full. Then it moves on to your second choice and so on.
    • It gives priority to the student’s top choice, not the program’s top choice. The Match is applicant leaning!
  • The Match list is confidential. Programs do not know where they were on your list, and you will not know where a program ranked you.
  • You can certify and decertify your list as many times as you wish before the deadline, but DO NOT make last minute changes to your rank list to avoid any unanticipated system issues.
  • See the NRMP video on Making a Rank List for more information
  • Review the Guide to entering and certifying your Rank Order List

Supplemental Rank list

  • Applicants to advanced programs each create a primary rank order list (ROL) of advanced programs within NRMP – this includes programs with a Categorical designation. Each ranked advanced program must have a corresponding supplemental ROL of Preliminary programs. Remember: the same program may list itself both as separate Categorical and Advanced entities within the Match. In this situation, both the Categorical and Advanced listing for the same program can be ranked.
  • Applicants may attach a single supplemental ROL to each ranked advanced program, or applicants may create multiple supplemental ROLs and attach different Preliminary program preferences to each advanced program.
    • Why would one consider using multiple different supplemental ROLs? One example might be the desire to pair Preliminary preferences with advanced programs based on location (e.g. one supplemental ROL with all Indiana Preliminary programs ranked highest to attach to the advanced programs in the Midwest).
  • See the NRMP video on Supplemental Rank Lists for more information.