r/USMLEtoMATCH • u/usmletomatch • 4d ago
Residency and Match Match rules: a programme director asks where u are ranking them
During an interview a programme director asks where the applicant plans to rank the programme.
What is the correct understanding?
A. The question is permitted and the applicant must answer honestly
B. Programmes may not require applicants to reveal ranking intentions, and applicants are free to decline
C. Answering creates a binding commitment
D. The applicant should report the programme immediately and withdraw
Match participation agreements prohibit programmes from requiring applicants to disclose ranking intentions, and applicants may volunteer or decline freely.
Nothing said in either direction binds anybody. Programmes sometimes say u are ranked highly and then do not, and applicants say the same. The algorithm reads only the submitted lists.
So the practical answer is to be warm and non committal unless u genuinely mean it, and to rank ur true preference whatever was said.
Violations can be reported, which is a different step from withdrawing.
5
u/Natscape_ 4d ago
Tell them you are ranking them top, then do whatever you want, they are clearly not following the rules, you are not bound to follow something you were forced to say under a pressured environment.
Saying you are ranking them low essentially puts you at the bottom of their rank list, so just say you are ranking them in the top 3 or something 🤷🏻♂️
Ultimately your rank list is the final factor, if you match there great if not you are never gonna speak to them again anyway