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Matching Process - How
It Really Works
The selection process is
completed by a computer program based on the rank orders submitted
by the candidates and the institutions. At the present time, the
matching program combines two basic features—a listing function and
a selection function.
The listing function provides
potential candidates with information about available programs.
Because most internships and most residencies in large and small
animal clinical specialties participate in the VIRMP, the program
acts as a clearinghouse for clinical postgraduate training
positions. THERE IS, HOWEVER, NO EVALUATION, REGULATION, OR
CERTIFICATION OF LISTED PROGRAMS.
The selection function matches
candidates with institutions based on their previously declared
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level of interest. The approach
to matching that we are using now is actually a simulation of what
went on prior to the creation of the VIRMP. The institution's rank
order list is viewed as a series of job offers to candidates. If the
institution has one position, one initial offer is made to the
individual who is ranked first. If the institution has more than one
position, simultaneous offers are made to the top candidates on the
list equal to the number of available positions. The candidate's
rank order list is viewed as an acceptance of an institution's offer
only if it is the top ranked institution which still has an open
position. There are no ties and there is no judgment about whether
the institution or the candidate is given preference. As top choices
on either list disappear due to successful matches, lower choices
move up on the lists until all possible matches are completed.
By way of example, Metropolis
University (MU) has four residencies available in surgery. MU
received 22 applications, out of which it chose to rank 12
candidates. In effect, MU has offered jobs to candidates 1, 2, 3 and
4 on its list. Candidate 1 has Metropolis U ranked fourth, #2 has it
ranked first, #3 ranked it second and #4 ranked it first. Metropolis
would be matched with candidates #2 and #4 and nothing else would
happen until candidates #1 and #3 are matched elsewhere, or the
programs ranked higher than Metropolis on the candidate lists were
filled.
In this example, Metropolis'
third choice, candidate #3, ranked the University of Transylvania
first and was matched there. Once candidate #3 became unavailable to
Metropolis University, it made an offer to its fifth choice.
Unfortunately, candidate #5 was matched at an institution ranked
higher on the candidate's list than Metropolis. The same situation
occurred with candidates #6, #7 and #8. Metropolis' ninth choice had
it ranked second, but matched at MU because candidate #9's first
choice filled up with higher choices on its list than candidate #9.
Thus, Metropolis University became candidate #9's best possible
match and candidate #9 became Metropolis' best possible match also.
Now, back to candidate #1. This candidate has already received an
offer from MU, but was waiting for a better offer (his/her first
three choices). Eventually all three programs filled up with choices
higher than candidate #1, and he/she matched with Metropolis
University. The end result is that Metropolis University matched
with its first, second, fourth and ninth choices. We know that these
choices are its best possible choices because candidates #3, #5, #6,
#7 and #8 matched with institutions that they ranked higher than
Metropolis University.
The candidate's perspective is
much simpler and easier to follow. John Doe wants to be an intern,
and has applied to 16 institutions. When filling out his rank order
list (Form S4), John had second thoughts about two of the programs
and decided to rank 14 of them. During the matching process, eight
of the institutions would have made John an offer for a position.
John had ranked the institutions third, fifth, sixth, ninth and
eleventh through fourteenth. Obviously, he would accept the offer
from his third choice, the University of Siberia, and was matched
there. We know that this was the best match for John because his
first two choices were matched with individuals who were ranked
higher than John Doe.
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