Creating your Rank Order List as a Couple
Written by Clarissa E. Jordan, M.D.
Having gone through the process two years ago, I’m really passionate about helping other couples in the match & wanted to share what I learned, in the hopes that it might be useful. First a couple of disclaimers: these are my personal opinions and experiences regarding the couples match and may not be representative of all couples, nor do they reflect the opinions of my employer. Additionally, I use heteronormative language in my examples because I’m talking about my own experiences, but wholeheartedly support all couples in the match regardless of sexual orientation & gender identity.
How the Match algorithm works for couples
The match for couples is not dissimilar to the regular match — instead of single programs though, each rank is made up of a pair of ranks, and all three parties have to be ranked high enough on each others’ lists for a match to be made.
A rank order pair can consist of programs at the same institution (e.g. Mayo Clinic Pathology and Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine), or different institutions (e.g. Johns Hopkins Pathology and University of Maryland Emergency Medicine). Rank order pairs do not need to be in the same city, either (e.g. University of Virginia Pathology and Yale Emergency Medicine). A single program can be ranked multiple times on each partner’s list, but you can’t list duplicates of the same pair (e.g. Mayo Clinic Pathology and Mayo Clinic Emergency Medicine can be listed with Mayo Clinic Pathology and Hennepin Emergency Medicine, but both Mayo Clinic programs can’t be listed again). You can list up to 300 rank order pairs. Keep in mind that both partners need the same number of rank order listings in order to create a pair for each.
A special case for the couples match is the possibility of No Match — that is, one partner matches at a program, while the other goes unmatched. Use this option only at the bottom of your rank list! And keep in mind, if you run out of combinations, neither of you will be matched. My advice is to make a lot of combinations — your rank order list will be much longer than any of your peers who are matching singly.
Creating your rank order list
First, sit down together and take a look at your notes from the interview trail. Many couples find it useful to assign a grade to each program, then average the scores to create a preliminary rank order list that you can modify after discussion. My husband and I found this worked pretty well, and was fairly similar to our final rank order list. Another way we looked at programs was by placing them into four lists:
- Programs we both loved
- Programs we both liked, as well as programs that only one of us loved
- Programs that we both didn’t like so much
Additionally, if you haven’t already, discuss your rank order threshold, i.e. how many ranks together before you rank apart.
For programs that you both didn’t like so much, consider both your location threshold (i.e. how far apart will you tolerate living away from each other?) and your rank order threshold. For instance: would you prefer to match together at your least favorite program, or match apart at programs you both like better? Just like your location threshold, your rank list threshold can differ for every couple depending on your relationship, career aspirations, and other factors, and there is no one right answer.
For the middle category, be prepared to come to some compromises, especially in the situation where one partner loves a program and the other thinks it’s only okay. Consider some of the following questions: Will both my partner and I receive academically rigorous and challenging residency training at this program? Will both my partner and I enjoy living where this residency program is located? I feel that the answer to both of these questions should be yes. On the flip side, consider Will my partner be limited in some way if we go to this program that I love? Those programs might go a little further down your list.
If you’ve got programs that you both love, then great! All you have to do for this category is figure out the order of these great programs on your list (which of course is still challenging in its own right!).
Creating your rank list is a daunting process, even more so for couples. Ultimately, it’s important to go into this process with an open mind, and trust your gut and think back to how your interactions with programs made you feel. Good luck to you both in the match!
Additional Resources:
- NMRP for couples: https://www.nrmp.org/couples-in-the-match/
- Couples Match Rank list generator (note: not an official tool; I am not affiliated with nor have any experience with it, but you may find it helpful): https://www.mactiontools.com/couplesmatch
