Impact of Length of Rank Order List on Match Results: 1999-2008
The NRMP collects data on the relationship between the average length of the rank order lists (ROL) of matched applicants and filled programs vs. the average length of rank order lists of unmatched applicants and unfilled programs. The data show that matched applicants and filled programs consistently have longer ROLs than unmatched applicants and unfilled programs.
Program Data1
| Year | Filled Programs | Unfilled Programs | ||||
| Number and % Filled | Average Length of ROL | Average Ranks per Position | Number and % Unfilled | Average Length of ROL | Average Ranks per Position | |
| 1999 | 2,752 (74.1%) | 52.26 | 8.81 | 963 (25.9%) | 26.75 | 4.84 |
| 2000 | 2,684 (72.3%) | 52.67 | 8.96 | 1,029 (27.7%) | 27.51 | 4.92 |
| 2001 | 2,688 (72.2%) | 54.76 | 9.28 | 1,036 (27.8%) | 25.67 | 4.75 |
| 2002 | 2,747 (74.3%) | 54.75 | 9.24 | 950 (25.7%) | 26.94 | 5.03 |
| 2003 | 2,748 (74.5%) | 55.04 | 9.32 | 942 (25.5%) | 30.24 | 4.89 |
| 2004 | 2,936 (78.7%) | 55.61 | 9.40 | 796 (21.3%) | 27.93 | 4.85 |
| 2005 | 3,005 (79.4%) | 55.66 | 9.35 | 779 (20.6%) | 26.63 | 4.90 |
| 2006 | 3,159 (81.8%) | 55.85 | 9.74 | 702 (18.2%) | 25.31 | 4.65 |
| 2007 | 3,360 (84.1%) | 56.80 | 9.96 | 635 (15.9%) | 25.23 | 4.97 |
| 2008 | 3,410 (84.4%) | 57.66 | 10.04 | 628 (15.6%) | 29.50 | 5.37 |
| 2009 | 3,601 (87.3%) | 58.94 | 10.52 | 526 (12.7%) | 27.56 | 5.68 |
Over the ten-year period for which data are reported, the average number of ranks per position for unfilled programs consistently is 45-55% less than that for filled programs.
Applicant Data 2
| Year | Matched Applicants | Unmatched Applicants | ||
| Number Matched | Average Length of ROLs | Number Unmatched | Average Length of ROLs | |
| 1999 | 17,873 (70.4%) | 7.42 | 7,519 (29.6%) | 5.06 |
| 2000 | 17,963 (74.7%) | 7.28 | 6,079 (25.3%) | 4.82 |
| 2001 | 17,849 (78.1%) | 7.40 | 5,009 (21.9%) | 4.71 |
| 2002 | 17,986 (80.4%) | 7.46 | 4.387 (19.6%) | 4.14 |
| 2003 | 18,382 (80.5%) | 7.45 | 4,443 (19.5%) | 4.46 |
| 2004 | 18,808 (78.5%) | 7.44 | 5,156 (21.5%) | 4.40 |
| 2005 | 19,234 (79.7%) | 7.65 | 4,901 (20.3%) | 4.48 |
| 2006 | 19,484 (76.4%) | 7.81 | 6,011 (23.6%) | 4.51 |
| 2007 | 20,042 (75.1%) | 8.23 | 6,660 (24.9%) | 4.64 |
| 2008 | 20,167 (74.0%) | 8.52 | 7,094 (26.0%) | 4.32 |
| 2009 | 20,458 (72.3%) | 8.74 | 7,854 (27.7%) | 4.46 |
US Seniors Data 2
| Year | Matched Applicants | Unmatched Applicants | ||
| Number Matched | Average Length of ROLs |
Number Unmatched |
Average Length of ROLs |
|
| 1999 | 12,999 (95.1%) | 7.76 | 676 (4.9%) | 4.96 |
| 2000 | 12,831 (95.2%) | 7.73 | 648 (4.8%) | 5.18 |
| 2001 | 12,813 (95.0%) | 7.88 | 676 (5.0%) | 4.71 |
| 2002 | 12,281 (95.6%) | 7.96 | 587 (4.4%) | 4.62 |
| 2003 | 12,692 (94.7%) | 7.97 | 710 (5.3%) | 5.02 |
| 2004 | 12,731 (93.8%) | 7.99 | 843 (6.2%) | 5.34 |
| 2005 | 12,975 (94.7%) | 8.25 | 726 (5.3%) | 5.29 |
| 2006 | 13,285 (94.7%) | 8.40 | 748 (5.3%) | 5.26 |
| 2007 | 13,486 (94.7%) | 8.90 | 756 (5.3%) | 5.62 |
| 2008 | 13,406 (95.0%) | 9.26 | 699 (5.0%) | 5.63 |
| 2009 | 13,560 (94.0%) | 9.59 | 858 (6.0%) | 6.27 |
U.S. seniors consistently have the highest match rate and the longest average ROLs. Although there are small year-to-year variations, about 94% of U.S. seniors match each year.
The data do not take into account a number of other factors that influence the match rate of applicants and the fill rate of programs. Those factors include competitiveness of the applicant, competitiveness of the program, competitiveness of the specialty and number of interviews completed.
Both applicants and programs are well advised to include all acceptable choices on their rank order lists. A longer ROL in no way affects the chances of being matched to choices higher on the rank order list.
1. Data on programs are based on the number of positions offered. Any programs with one or more positiions unfilled after the match, regardless of the number of positions filled, is included in the unfilled program data. Programs that donated unfilled positions to other programs through reversions are considered unfilled, while data on programs that received reverted positions in the Match are based on the original quota.
2. The data are based only on applicants' primary rank order lists and do not include couples.
Updated 06/22/2009
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© 2009 NRMP |