1) Suppose I match, but later I decide to seek a position offered
in another match, can I drop this match and continue with the other
match?
Answer: No. certification of your rank list indicates that
you agree to withdraw from all competing matches.
2) Can I obtain a position without an interview?
Answer: Generally not, unless the program director waived the
interview requirement.
3) A program director seems to solicit a commitment before the match.
What should I tell him?
Answer: You may say anything you are comfortable with. When
you complete your confidential rank list, you must remember that
any statements you may have made do not constitute binding commitments.
You are free to change your preference at any time. By the same
rule, program directors are also free to change their preference
after interviewing more applicants.
4) If I rank a program as #10 and another applicant rank it as #1, who will
get that program?
Answer: When two applicants compete for the same program, the program’s
list decides.
5) One program director tells me that he likes me very much. Some
better programs are noncommittal. Which program should I rank first?
Answer: By all means, list the more desirable program first.
Your request will first go to the program you ranked highest. Skipping
(or downgrading) the better program eliminates your chance of being
considered there, while it does not improve the chance that others
will accept you. There is no risk in listing high on your list
programs that you like well, but for which you may have little
chance.
6) A program director told me that he would “rank me high” does
that mean a guaranteed position?
Answer: Certainly not. If you are #8 of 50 or 80 applicants,
you are certainly “ranked high”. Yet, if that program
fills at #7, you are still out of luck. It is always wise to list
additional programs as a safeguard, as long as you would rather
go there than remain unmatched.
7) Can I withdraw from the position I accepted through the Match?
Answer: No. Your signature on your rank list makes the match
result a binding commitment. Withdrawal is possible only in exceptional
circumstances and requires written approval from your program director.
8) Can I end up being matched to a program I do not really like?
Answer: No. Your placement request will go only to programs you
have listed. If you do not like a program, you should not list it.
The Matching Program processes your rank list like a stockbroker
processing written orders from a client. In doing so, the stockbroker
does not question the client’s judgment and obviously cannot
guarantee that the client will be satisfied with the stock’s
performance over the next several years. Similarly, the Matching
Program does not question your judgments and cannot, in any way,
guarantee that you or the program director will remain satisfied
with each other’s performance. Indeed, in the years between
your interview and the completion of your residency, changes in their
faculty, in funding, or even in accreditation. The Matching Program
promises you diligence processing your rank list, but neither it
nor its sponsoring organization can accept any responsibility whatsoever
for any such changes or for their consequences.
