Matching Process and Results

Frequently Asked Questions:
Internship Training Directors - Matching Process and Results

MATCHING PROCESS AND RESULTS

1. Does the Matching Program favor applicants or programs?
2. How do I find out the results of the Match?
3. How binding are the results of the Match?
4. What do I need to do once I've learned which applicants have matched to my site?
   

MATCHING PROCESS AND RESULTS

1. Does the Matching Program favor applicants or programs?

Neither. Both applicants' and programs' Rank Order Lists are used to provide the best match possible for each applicant and each program. Applicants' and programs' preferences are given equal weight in the process.

There does exist one fairly rare situation in which an applicant's preferences are favored. This occurs when two programs and two applicants have conflicting preferences, as in the following example:

PROGRAM A 1. Applicant Y 2. Applicant Z

PROGRAM B 1. Applicant Z 2. Applicant Y

APPLICANT Y 1. Program B 2. Program A

APPLICANT Z 1. Program A 2. Program B

Program "A" prefers applicant "Y", and program "B" prefers applicant "Z"; however, applicant "Y" prefers program "B", while applicant "Z" prefers program "A." In the matching process, this conflict (which research shows occurs for only 1 in every 1,000 applicants) is resolved by using the applicants' preferences.

2. How do I find out the results of the Match?

The results of the Match are distributed to participants on the APPIC Match Day that is associated with each Phase of the Match. Each applicant is given only the final result that the applicant obtains in the Match. Each internship program is provided with the names of the applicants that it obtains in the Match, along with a listing of sites to which the program's other ranked applicants were matched.

When you register for the Match, you will be provided with a password/PIN that may be used to access your results in a confidential manner from the National Matching Services web site. Your results will also be sent to you via e-mail.

3. How binding are the results of the Match?

The results of the Match are absolutely binding upon all parties.

It is important for all participants to remember that they have agreed, via the Match Agreement that they accepted at the time of registration, to abide by the results of the Match. Internship programs that submit a Rank Order List are required to accept the applicants to whom they are matched. Similarly, applicants who submit a Rank Order List are required to accept the match result and attend the internship program to which they are matched.

The APPIC Board of Directors closely monitors and enforces the policy that the Match constitutes a binding agreement. Violations of APPIC Match Policies or Match Agreements by applicants or programs may result in sanctions by APPIC (e.g., being barred from future matches) or legal action by other Match participants. In addition, violations by applicants may result in disciplinary action by the applicants' graduate and/or internship programs.

4. What do I need to do once I've learned which applicants have matched to my site?

Once you have been notified about which applicants have matched to your site, you need to do two things:

1. Contact your new interns after 9:00 am Eastern Time on Match Day. Most Training Directors prefer to contact the applicants to whom they have been matched in order to give the day a more personal touch.
   
   
2. According to APPIC Match Policies #9 and #11f, Training Directors are required to send out a written appointment agreement to each matched applicant, postmarked or e-mailed no later than seven days after the completion of each Phase of the Match. This agreement must include confirmation of the conditions of the appointment, such as the stipend, fringe benefits, and the dates on which the internship begins and ends.