Matching Process

The key to understanding the matching process is the concept of 'tentative acceptance'. The process is an 'applicant-proposing' one; this means that it is driven by the applicants' requests for placement. At first, all acceptances are tentative. As programs receive more requests, they will retain only those applicants they consider most desirable.

The Matching Program's role is that of an intermediary, executing binding instructions. The outcome is pre-determined by the rank lists of programs and applicants. At no point can this outcome be modified by a judgment or bias on the part of the intermediary, nor is there any element of chance.

In the following example, ten applicants (1-10) compete for eight positions offered by four programs (A-D, offering 3, 2, 2 and 1 positions respectively).

Initially, each applicant requests placement in his/her preferred program.

A receives requests from 2, 6 and 9; it tentatively accepts all three.
B receives requests from 4 and 10; it accepts 4, but did not list 10 as acceptable.
C receives requests from 1, 3 and 7; it accepts 1 and 7, but rejects 3, since it has only two positions.
D receives requests from 5 and 8; D is not interested in 5 and accepts 8, even though it is its last choice.

PROGRAMS				APPLICANTS
3	2	2	1	<<< Number of positions available
A	B	C	D	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
(6)	7	4	1	(C)	(A)	C	(B)	D	(A)	(C)	(D)	(A)	B
10	(4)	(1)	4	A	D	B	A	C	C	B	A	D	D
4	6	6	7	D	B	A	D	A		A	B	C	A
3	1	(7)	10	B	C	D	C			D	C		C
1	5	10	6
8	3	3	9
7		9	(8)
(9)		2
5
(2)
	10		5	<<< These applicants were not listed.
Legend: (...) tentative acceptance; --- rejected request