These FAQs deal primarily with questions pertaining to the use of the online system to submit your Rank Order List or to withdraw from the Match. There are extensive FAQs on other aspects of the APPIC Match available on the APPIC web site at www.appic.org.
What will I need to use the online system?
How do I login to the online system?
What is the ROLIC system and how do I access it?
What if I don't know my applicant Code Number or password/PIN?
Can anyone else see my Rank Order List?
When will the ROLIC system be available to enter Rank Order Lists?
What is the deadline to enter my Rank Order List? Can I make changes after the deadline?
How often are the lists of participating applicants and programs updated in the online system?
Is there a limit to the number of ranks I can submit?
What if I have no ranks to submit for Phase I and/or Phase II of the Match?
Is there a relationship between the Rank Order Lists I submit for Phase I and Phase II of the Match?
Can couples use the ROLIC system to enter their Rank Order Lists?
What if I don't know a program's Code Number?
Will I be able to print a confirmation of my list before and/or after submission?
How does NMS know when I've finished entering my Rank Order List?
What does it mean to "certify" my Rank Order List?
Can I make changes or additions to my Rank Order List?
Should I use the ROLIC system and also mail or fax in a copy of my Rank Order List?
How can I confirm that NMS will receive the list I have entered into the ROLIC system?
Who can I contact if I have problems using the online system?
How can I withdraw from the Match?
If I have previously withdrawn, how can I be reinstated in the Match?
How does the computer match me to a position?
What will I need to use the online system?
If you can access the internet and print from your browser, you should be able to use the online system.
If you wish to do a preliminary test of your browser, to see if it is likely compatible with the online system, click here. If you need to upgrade your browser, free upgrades are available from:
Other browsers that are compatible with those listed above may also be used.
No other special software is necessary to use the online system. The system uses Java Script and creates a temporary session cookie on your computer; these features must remain enabled in your browser for the system to work properly.
How do I login to the online system?
To access the online system, select Login to Update My Profile from the drop-down menu for applicants at the top of the screen. To login to the system you are required to enter both your 5-digit applicant Code Number and the password/PIN that you have previously provided on this web site. After entering your applicant Code Number and password/PIN, click on the Submit button to enter the system.
Note: Only those applicants who are eligible to participate in Phase II of the Match (i.e., applicants who registered prior to the Phase I Rank Order List deadline but who did not obtain a position in Phase I) will be able to access the online system for Phase II of the Match.
What is the ROLIC system and how do I access it?
The component of the online system on this web site that is used to submit your rankings of programs is referred to as the Rank Order List Input and Confirmation (ROLIC) system. All Rank Order Lists must be submitted to NMS using the ROLIC system.
When the ROLIC system is available, a link will be provided after you login to the online system that will enable you to access the ROLIC system to enter or modify your rankings of programs for the Match.
What if I don't know my applicant Code Number or password/PIN?
If you do not have your 5-digit applicant Code Number and/or your password/PIN, select Login to Update My Profile from the drop-down menu for applicants at the top of the screen. A link is provided on the sign-on page that will enable you to obtain this information.
If I do not have convenient access to the internet, can I send my Rank Order List by any other method?
No. Applicants must seek access to the internet, which is available from a variety of sources: a university computer center, a local public library, a clinic administrator, a commercial source, etc.
Can anyone else see my Rank Order List?
No. Access to your list in the online system requires entry of both your 5-digit applicant Code Number and your password/PIN. Your password/PIN should be kept strictly confidential and in a secure place. Do not communicate your password/PIN to anyone who you do not want to have access to your Rank Order List. Programs to which you have applied need to know your applicant Code Number, but you should not provide your password/PIN to programs.
When will the ROLIC system be available to enter Rank Order Lists?
The ROLIC system will be available for use by Match participants to enter or change Rank Order Lists as follows:
Phase I |
Phase II | |
| ROLIC System Opens: | Monday, January 23, 2012 | Thursday, March 1, 2012 |
| Rank Order List Deadline: | Wednesday, February 8, 2012 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) |
Monday, March 19, 2012 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) |
After the Rank Order List deadline for each Phase of the Match, you will be able to view and print but not change your information in the ROLIC system until a few days after the release of the Match results for that Phase of the Match - i.e., until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 27, 2012 for Phase I, and until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 29, 2012 for Phase II.
What is the deadline to enter my Rank Order List? Can I make changes after the deadline?
Rank Order Lists must be entered and certified in the ROLIC system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline day for each Phase of the Match - February 8, 2012 for Phase I and March 19, 2012 for Phase II. You will not be able to change or certify your list for each Phase of the Match after the deadline for that Phase. You are strongly advised to complete and certify your list well before the Rank Order List deadline to avoid competing with many other Match participants accessing the system near the deadline, when system performance may be slow.
How often are the lists of participating applicants and programs updated in the online system?
Applicant information is updated immediately, in real time, as applicants register for the Match and update their profiles. Information on programs participating in the Match will be updated nightly in the ROLIC system.
When the ROLIC system opens for Phase II of the Match on March 1, 2012, only those applicants that are eligible to participate in Phase II will be included in the system. Applicants who matched in Phase I and programs that filled all their positions in Phase I will be removed from the online system before the ROLIC system opens for Phase II on March 1, 2012.
Is there a limit to the number of ranks I can submit?
There is no limit to the number of programs you can rank in the ROLIC system. However, you should rank only those programs to which you have applied and to which you are prepared to be matched. You can only rank programs that are participating in the Match.
What if I have no ranks to submit for Phase I and/or Phase II of the Match?
You may not have any ranks to submit for several reasons, for example: you have decided not to pursue internship training at this time; you have obtained a position at a program that is not participating in the Match; none of the programs to which you applied are now of interest to you; or, the programs to which you applied have indicated they will not offer you a position.
Phase I: If you do not intend to submit any rankings of programs for Phase I of the Match you must withdraw yourself prior to the Rank Order List deadline for Phase I. When you withdraw from Phase I, you will be asked to indicate whether you intend to withdraw from Phase I only, or from both Phase I and Phase II. If you indicate your withdrawal is for Phase I only, you will be reinstated automatically for Phase II and must either submit a Rank Order List for Phase II or withdraw again for Phase II if you do not intend to submit any ranks for Phase II. If you indicate your withdrawal is for both Phase I and Phase II, your withdrawn status will be automatically carried over to Phase II and you will not need to withdraw again when the online system opens for Phase II (however, if you subsequently decide to submit ranks for Phase II, you will still be able to reinstate yourself for Phase II when the system opens for Phase II).
Phase II: If you are eligible to participate in Phase II of the Match but do not intend to submit any rankings of programs for Phase II you must withdraw yourself prior to the Rank Order List deadline for Phase II. If you withdrew prior to the Rank Order List deadline for Phase I and indicated that your withdrawal was for both Phase I and Phase II, your withdrawn status will be carried over to Phase II and you do not need to withdraw from Phase II again. However, if you did not previously withdraw from both Phase I and Phase II, you must withdraw from Phase II prior to the Phase II Rank Order List deadline.
Note: Applicants who withdraw from either Phase of the Match will not be matched to a position in that Phase of the Match. However, withdrawn applicants are permitted to seek positions after each Phase of the Match. If you withdraw prior to the Rank Order Lists deadline for Phase I (whether you indicated the withdrawal was for Phase I only or both Phase I and Phase II), you will be able to access information from this web site on positions that remain available after the Match, and you will be eligible to submit applications to programs for and participate in Phase II of the Match. Similarly, applicants who withdraw from Phase II of the Match, or from both Phase I and Phase II, will be permitted to participate in the Post-Match Vacancy Service operated by APPIC after the results of Phase II of the Match are released.
For additional information on withdrawing from the Match, click here.
Is there a relationship between the Rank Order Lists I submit for Phase I and Phase II of the Match?
No. If you do not obtain a position in Phase I of the Match, you will be eligible to submit a new Rank Order List for Phase II of the Match. The Rank Order List you submit for Phase II is completely unrelated to the Rank Order List you submitted for Phase I. None of the rankings you submitted for Phase I will be carried over to Phase II. You may apply to and rank any program that is participating in Phase II on your Phase II Rank Order List. If you discover that a program to which you previously applied for Phase I has a position available in Phase II, you may apply to that program again for Phase II, and rank that program on your Rank Order List for Phase II if you wish (whether or not you included that program on your Rank Order List for Phase I).
Can couples use the ROLIC system to enter their Rank Order Lists?
Yes. Applicants who wish to participate in the Match as a couple must first register in the online system as individuals, and then update their profiles to identify their partners prior to entering their Rank Order Lists. Both members of a couple must identify each other as their partner in their respective profiles in the online system. Each member of the couple must then enter his or her own rankings of programs into the ROLIC system. Both members of the couple must enter the same number of ranks into the ROLIC system in order to be able to certify both lists for use in the Match.
Note: To participate as a couple, both applicants must be submitting ranks for the same Phase of the Match. Furthermore, if you participate in Phase I of the Match as a member of a couple but you do not obtain a position in Phase I, your status will revert to being an "individual" when the system opens for Phase II. If you again wish to participate as a member of a couple in Phase II of the Match, you and your partner will both need to update your respective profiles for Phase II prior to submitting your Rank Order Lists for Phase II, to indicate your desire to participate as a couple in Phase II of the Match.
For detailed instructions on how couples prepare their choices and use the ROLIC system, click here.
What if I don't know a program's Code Number?
There are three sources you can use to obtain a program's Code Number. The first source is the Training Director of the training site offering the program. In particular, if you are ranking a program at a training site that is offering more than one program in the Match, you should check with the site's Training Director to ensure you are using the correct Code Number for the program(s) you wish to rank. If you use a Code Number representing one program at a training site, but you are ranked by the site on a Rank Order List for a different program, a match will not be made. Both you and the training site must use the same 6-digit program Code Number for a match to occur.
Alternatively, you can obtain the Code Number for a program you wish to rank from the List of Participating Programs that is provided on this web site. This List will be updated when changes occur in program participation; therefore, you are encouraged to consult the List on this web site before finalizing your Rank Order List.
Finally, while entering choices into the ROLIC system, you can also search for participating programs from within the system based on the location of the program.
The system indicates that a program I wanted to rank is now withdrawn. Should I remove the program from my list?
Programs may change their status and decide to participate in the Match at any time until the Rank Order List deadline. Therefore, if you planned to rank a program that is now withdrawn, you are strongly encouraged to leave the withdrawn program on your Rank Order List. If you leave the program on your list and the program again becomes active in the Match prior to the Rank Order List deadline, that ranking will be used in the Match. If the program remains withdrawn, that ranking will not be used in the Match, and your Rank Order List will be processed as if you had not ranked the withdrawn program. If you have any question concerning the status of a program in the Match you should contact the site's Training Director directly.
Will I be able to print a confirmation of my list before and/or after submission?
Yes, you can print a copy of your Rank Order List at any point during the process of entering your list, or after certifying your list, by selecting the Display/Print option provided in the ROLIC system, and then using the print function provided by your browser to print the resulting page. You should print a copy of your final certified Rank Order List for your records.
After the Rank Order List deadline for each Phase of the Match, you will be able to view and print your information in the ROLIC system until a few days after the release of the Match results for that Phase of the Match - i.e., until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 27, 2012 for Phase I, and until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 29, 2012 for Phase II. However you will not be able to change any information or certify a Rank Order List in the ROLIC system after the Rank Order List deadline for each Phase of the Match.
How does NMS know when I've finished entering my Rank Order List? -and-
What does it mean to "certify" my Rank Order List?
You must indicate that you have finished entering your Rank Order List by certifying the list in the ROLIC system. Only lists that have been certified by the Rank Order List deadline will be used by NMS in the Match.
Certifying your list is a two step process. After you enter and save all of your ranks, click on the List Complete button. You will then be asked to certify your Rank Order List by re-entering your password/PIN, and then clicking on the Certify button.
After you certify your information, you can still return to make changes to your rankings any time until the Rank Order List deadline. If you alter your Rank Order List after certification, your list will be decertified and you must go through the certification process again in order for your Rank Order List to be used in the Match.
Can I make changes or additions to my Rank Order List?
Yes, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Rank Order List deadline day for each Phase of the Match - February 8, 2012 for Phase I, and March 19, 2012 for Phase II.
Your Rank Order List information can be entered and/or changed in one or more sessions. However, you are advised to certify your list of choices at the end of each session in which you have entered or modified the rankings on your list, rather than returning at a later date to certify your list. Even if you have already certified your information, you can return to make changes any time until the Rank Order List deadline. If you certify your Rank Order List and then alter your list after certification, your list will be decertified and you must go through the certification process again. Only lists that are certified by the Rank Order List deadline will be used in the Match.
You are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute to enter and certify your list, in order to avoid potential problems near the deadline. Severe "last minute" network traffic could cause major delays and even system outages, which could prevent you from certifying your list in time to meet the deadline. You will not be able to change or certify your list after the Rank Order List deadline for each Phase of the Match.
If I go into the online system to change only my contact information (address, phone, e-mail), will I need to re-certify my list?
No. If you have already certified your Rank Order List, you will only need to re-certify your list if you alter your rankings in some way, or if you change your "couples" status. Changes to contact information can be made through the online system until the Rank Order List deadline.
Note: No changes can be made to your personal information or status in the online system from the Rank Order List deadline for Phase I of the Match at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2012 until the system re-opens for Phase II of the Match on March 1, 2012. Furthermore, only those applicants who are eligible to participate in Phase II will be able to access the online system to make changes to their personal information or status beginning on March 1, 2012.
Should I use the ROLIC system and also mail or fax in a copy of my Rank Order List?
No. NMS will not accept duplicate copies of Rank Order Lists. Duplicate lists received by fax, e-mail or regular mail will be discarded and only the data entered in the ROLIC system will be used in the Match.
How can I confirm that NMS will receive the list I have entered into the ROLIC system?
If your list is certified in the ROLIC system, and you are not withdrawn, your list will be used by NMS in the Match. If you wish, when you certify your Rank Order List, you may request that the system send you an e-mail to confirm that your list has been certified. (Note: requesting this e-mail confirmation is not required in order for you to certify your list; this e-mail confirmation is provided only for your convenience and peace of mind. Your certified list will be used in the Match whether or not you request this e-mail confirmation.)
Do not call NMS to confirm that your Rank Order List has been certified.
If you need to verify that your list has been certified, you can return to the initial page that is displayed after you login to the online system. If your list has been certified, a message will appear on that page indicating that the Rank Order List is certified. Indication that your list has been certified also appears on a display of the Rank Order List information in the ROLIC system.
Who can I contact if I have problems using the online system?
The online system includes many Help screens that can be displayed from within the system. In addition, if you have questions concerning your use of the online system, you can call NMS for technical support from 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time through 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, at 416-977-3431 or 716-282-4013. You can also send a question by e-mail to psychint@natmatch.com.
How can I withdraw from the Match? -and-
If I have previously withdrawn, how can I be reinstated in the Match?
The online system will be accessible to withdraw or reinstate yourself at any time until the Rank Order List deadline for Phase I of the Match (February 8, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time). Following that deadline, no withdrawals or reinstatements can be submitted through the online system until the system opens again for Phase II of the Match starting on March 1, 2012. If you did not match to a position in Phase I, you will then be able to withdraw or reinstate yourself for Phase II of the Match until the Rank Order List deadline for Phase II (March 19, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time).
You withdraw or reinstate yourself using the online system accessed from this web site. To login to the online system, select Login to Update My Profile from the drop-down menu for applicants at the top of the screen, then enter your 5-digit applicant Code Number and password/PIN. The page that is displayed after you login will show your current status in the Match (active or withdrawn). Select the appropriate link to change your status, then follow the instructions provided on the screen to complete the process.
As part of the withdrawal process for Phase I, you will be asked to indicate whether you want to withdraw from Phase I only, or from both Phase I and Phase II. If you indicate your withdrawal is for Phase I only, you will be reinstated automatically for Phase II and must either submit a Rank Order List for Phase II or withdraw again for Phase II if you do not intend to submit any ranks for Phase II. If you indicate your withdrawal is for both Phase I and Phase II, your withdrawn status will be automatically carried over to Phase II and you will not need to withdraw again when the online system opens for Phase II (however, if you subsequently decide to submit ranks for Phase II, you will still be able to reinstate yourself for Phase II when the system opens for Phase II).
Note: Applicants who withdraw from either Phase of the Match will not be matched to a position in that Phase of the Match. However, withdrawn applicants are permitted to seek positions after each Phase of the Match. If you withdraw prior to the Rank Order List deadline for Phase I (whether you indicated the withdrawal was for Phase I only or both Phase I and Phase II), you will be able to access information from this web site on positions that remain available after the Match, and you will be eligible to submit applications to programs for and participate in Phase II of the Match. Similarly, applicants who withdraw from Phase II of the Match, or from both Phase I and Phase II, will be permitted to participate in the Post-Match Vacancy Service operated by APPIC after the results of Phase II of the Match are released.
Note: If you withdraw from a Phase of the Match, any rankings of programs you may have submitted for that Phase will not be used in the matching process. If you submit and certify any rankings of participating programs and you do not withdraw by the Rank Order List deadline, your rankings will be included in that Phase of the Match. If you are matched with a program, you must accept the position with which you are matched, as described in the Applicant Agreement and in the APPIC Match Policies.
For additional information on withdrawing or reinstating yourself for the Match, click here.
How does the computer match me to a position?
The process of carrying out the Match based on the Rank Order Lists submitted by applicants and programs is described elsewhere on this web site. To view this information, select the option from the menu on the left for Description of the Match Process, or click here.
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