SCDC Policies & Procedures: Co-op Optimal Pairing

Optimal Pairing is a computerized process that occurs after employers rank the students they interviewed and students accept offers or rank the qualified alternate positions offered to them through SCDConline. Once activated, the optimal pairing process proceeds through a series of sweeps, which pair employers and students based on the submitted rankings of each.

Q&A About Optimal Pairing

Q. How do I participate in the Optimal Pairing process?

A. You must apply to, interview for, and rank co-op jobs offered through SCDConline in the A and B-rounds of each co-op cycle.

Q. What if I want to decline a job offer?

A. If you would like to decline a job offer, you must first meet with your coordinator.

Q. How does the Optimal Pairing process work?

A. The Optimal Pairing process matches students and employers with the lowest combined Optimal Pairing score, based on the rankings submitted by both the employer and the student. The first sweep of the process matches all student 1s and employer 1s (employer offers - student accepts), for a combined score of 2. The second sweep identifies the next lowest combinations of rankings: Employer ranking=2, student ranking=2, or employer ranking=2, student ranking=3, and so forth, and finalizes these pairings with each sweep. The process continues sequentially through employer and student rankings until it can go no further, i.e. it has no more students to pair with employers.

Q. How do I find out the results of Optimal Pairing?

A. On the designated Student Agreement Form (Blue Form) distribution date, come to the SCDC. If you have been paired with an employer as a result of the optimal pairing process, a Blue Form will be available for you. If you have not been paired, you should meet with your coordinator for assistance in continuing your search. The results of optimal pairing are final - paired students and employers are required to honor the offers/acceptances of the positions.

REMINDER: BY RANKING AN EMPLOYER, YOU INDICATED YOUR AGREEMENT TO WORK WITH THAT EMPLOYER IF YOU ARE PAIRED THROUGH THE OPTIMAL PAIRING PROCESS.