Are you wondering how to create your residency rank order list? Looking for the best way to rank residency programs? You're in the right place.
Creating your Rank Order List (ROL) is one of the most crucial steps in your journey to residency. How you rank residency programs will play a major role in determining where you spend the next 3-7 years of your training and impact your personal life—since it decides where you'll live and work outside of training as well.
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Understanding the Basics of Rank Order Lists
The Purpose of the Rank Order List
The purpose of the Rank Order List, is to provide medical students with a formal way to submit their preferences for programs where you will complete your medical residency training. As an applicant in the Match, you are allowed to rank as many positions as you have interviewed. You are also not limited by one specialty. So for example, if you had one interview at University of Iowa General Surgery residency program, and another at University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program Dermatology residency program, you would be able to rank both two different specialties. This is referred to as "dual applying", when you rank more than one specialty. Often, but not always, students do this if they feel they are ranking a specialty that they may be less competitive for, or simply if they truly love both specialties equally.
The Match Deadline
Perhaps most important of all is not missing deadlines. The deadline for certifying your Rank Order List is March 05, 2025. If you are ever unsure of the deadline you can check the NRMP website for more details.
A Numbers Game
Each year the NRMP publishes the outcome of the most recent Match cycle. This report has a wealth of great insights into the most recent applicant pool and their success in matching. Every student applying to the Match should utilize this resource as it can help you understand your relative competitiveness for a given specialty. For example, if I am applying to General Surgery as a US MD, the below chart can help guide me as to the median number of ranks I should strive for. Meaning, based on the below chart, I should have success in matching into General Surgery with on average 14 ranks. So I would want to aim to have at least 14 interviews. Now, of course, matching into your preferred specialty is not as simple as getting 14 interviews. There are other non-data driven factors that go into matching, like how well you interview or how you performed on your away rotation.
Creating Your Rank Order List: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these six essential steps to build a Rank Order List that helps you make the best choice for your residency.
1. Get Organized Early
As interview season approaches, start by creating a list of the residency programs where you’ll be interviewing. Before the interviews even begin, populate the list with key information that will help you later. At a minimum, include the following details:
Program Name
Specialty
Location (City, State)
Program Website
Salary
Having the program’s website URL will make it easier for you to access additional details later on.
Pro Tip: Save time by using our Rank Order List template. Sign up below with your email to receive this FREE tool! You'll also be subscribed to our newsletter, which includes tips and advice for your journey before, during, and after residency.
2. Take Notes During Your Interview
Your interviews are a two-way street. While programs are interviewing you, remember that you are also interviewing them. The goal of the Match is to create the best fit for both you and the residency program. This is often easier said than done, as many applicants focus solely on matching rather than finding the right program.
After each interview, take 15-20 minutes to do a "brain dump" of everything you learned. Focus on the details that stood out to you most, including the program’s culture, personalities of the faculty, and any other insights. These notes will be invaluable when you’re finalizing your Rank Order List weeks or months later.
3. Evaluate Programs Objectively
When deciding where to rank a residency program, consider a variety of factors that may vary based on your specialty. Some of these include:
Whether you plan to pursue a fellowship after residency
Family or partner considerations
Lifestyle factors, such as work-life balance and location
Below is a list of green flags (positives) and red flags (negatives) to look for in residency programs, but first and foremost, identify what is most important to you personally and professionally.
4. Ask Intelligent Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions for each residency program during your interview. At least one-third of your questions should be specific to the program to show that you’ve done your research. This effort will demonstrate to the program that you are a serious candidate who is genuinely interested in training there.
For a comprehensive list of questions to ask during your interview, check out our List of Residency Interview Questions.
5. Consider Your Personal Priorities
While your primary focus should be on selecting the best program for your medical training, personal factors are just as important. Consider aspects like:
Weather
Proximity to your support network
Location relative to your significant other, family, or friends
Remember, residency is a long and challenging journey, lasting anywhere from three to seven years, depending on your specialty. The right location and environment can make a big difference in your overall well-being.
6. Make Preliminary Rankings Early
Start building your Rank Order List immediately after your first interview, and continue updating it after each subsequent interview. Ranking programs after each interview forces you to compare them in real-time, helping to solidify your preferences while the experience is still fresh in your mind.
Common Rank Order List Mistakes to Avoid
1. Being Told You Are “Ranked to Match”
Some programs may inform applicants that they are "ranked to match," meaning they are within the number of spots available. While this may sound promising, remember that this is not a guarantee. In 2025, this practice continues despite being technically a violation of the Match rules.
2. Ranking Based on Prestige Alone
A program’s prestige is important, but it should not be the sole factor in your decision. While a prestigious program may provide great career opportunities later, it’s more important to find a program that offers a good fit for your professional goals and personal well-being. A less prestigious, but more supportive and balanced program, might offer a better quality of life and a more fulfilling experience than one with high status but toxic work culture.
3. Letting Others Influence Your Rankings Too Much
Your family, mentors, and significant others may have valuable input, but remember: it’s your life, and you will be the one spending countless hours at these programs. Use their advice to guide your decision-making process, but make sure the final choice is based on your priorities and what is best for you in the long run.
Final Tips and Submission Guidelines
Submit Early: Don’t wait until the last minute. The NRMP deadlines are strict, and last-minute submissions can result in technical glitches. The 2025 Match deadline is March 5, 2025.
Double-Check Your Program Information: Before submitting, verify that the program IDs on your list match exactly the program and position you are applying for. Keep track of whether the position is categorical or a preliminary position.
Make a Backup Copy: Save a copy of your Rank Order List to Google Drive or another cloud service. This way, you’ll have it backed up just in case.
Take a Break: After submitting your Rank Order List, take a breather. Go outside, spend time with friends or family, and relax. The journey to residency is long, but it’s important to take care of yourself along the way.
Conclusion
Building a well-organized and thoughtful Rank Order List is crucial to your success in the Match. By following these steps, you’ll not only improve your chances of matching but also find a program that aligns with both your professional goals and personal priorities. Good luck as you navigate this exciting and transformative phase in your medical career!