Finalizing your rank order list for residency can be stressful. As if the residency interview process and anxiety leading up to Match Day weren’t enough, now you have to certify your rank order list. In many ways, your rank order list is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a soon-to-be doctor. It might feel like you’re making a decision that will either make or break your career. However, it’s important to remember a few key tips that can help to make this process a little less stressful.
I often hear folks give the advice to follow your gut when it comes to the rank order list. I agree with this to some extent. However, we often need guidelines as to which factors matter most as we qualitatively attempt to differentiate between programs. Basically, I think that your gut needs a compass. The factors I list in this post represent some of the elements that can help direct your gut feeling.
When it comes to finalizing your rank list, there are a few key factors that everyone should consider. Training quality and resident happiness are examples of some of your likely must-haves. On the other hand, there are some factors that will be specific to your situation. Maybe you are couples matching or need to be close to sick family members. Maybe your family lives on the West Coast, but you’re yearning to experience life in the Big Apple. Whatever your situation, the following are some key factors to consider as you finalize your rank order list.
Factors to Consider When Finalizing Your Rank Order List
Program-Specific Factors
- Accessibility of program directors
- Kindness and comradery of residents
- Resident happiness
- Prestige of the program
- Training quality
- Mentorship from faculty
- Research opportunities
- Funding for travel to conferences
- Elective time
- Access to fellowships that you’re interested in
- Your familiarity with the EMR at the hospital(s)
- Diversity of patient population
- Employee benefits (insurance, education fund, parking, etc.)
- Number of weeks of vacations
- Flexibility in scheduling vacation
- Professional development opportunities
- Graduates doing what you hope to do in the future
Location Factors
- Urban vs Suburban vs Rural
- Large vs Small city
- Cost of living
- Salary
- Accessibility to nearby cities
- Ease of commute within the town or city
- Young professional social scene
- Nightlife
- Diversity of city dwellers
- Access to nature (mountains, beaches, etc.)
Relationship Factors
- Proximity to family and friends
- Ability for your partner to attain employment
- Support for child-rearing
- Eligibility of the dating pool
In the end, there are so many ways to determine the program that would be the best fit for you. And thankfully, there are likely several programs at which you would be happy and develop into the physician that you hope to be. So as you ponder over your rank order list, yes, use your gut. But also make sure that the top few programs you rank embody the as many of the attributes that will make you happiest in residency, which will definitely be a challenging yet rewarding time.
If you’ve found this post helpful, be sure to share it with your friends and colleagues who are also in the process of finalizing their rank order lists.
Dr. Atasha Jordan is an Ivy League-trained psychiatry resident and businesswoman. Learn more about Dr. Jordan here. and feel free to send a message here.
