So you finished MS3, filled out your ERAS application, and are just completing your interviews.
Now the most important decision to make–the MATCH.
The Match, is a standardized system used in the U.S. to match medical school graduates with residency training programs. Here is how it works:
1. Registration and Application
- Applicants: Medical students or graduates (including International Medical Graduates) register with the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) to submit their applications to residency programs.
- Residency Programs: Programs register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and receive applications through ERAS.
2. Application Review and Interviews
- Residency programs review the applications and invite selected candidates for interviews. Interviews are typically conducted between October and January.
- Applicants attend these interviews to learn more about each program and to showcase their qualifications and fit for the program.
3. Creating Rank Order Lists
- Applicants: After completing interviews, applicants create a rank order list (ROL) in which they rank the residency programs they interviewed with, from their most preferred to least preferred.
- Residency Programs: Similarly, residency programs create their own rank order lists of applicants they wish to accept.
4. The Match Algorithm
- The NRMP uses a matching algorithm (similar to the Gale-Shapley algorithm) to align the preferences of applicants and residency programs.
- The algorithm pairs applicants with programs based on their ranked preferences and the programs’ preferences, optimizing for a best match where both parties rank each other highly.
5. Match Day
- Results are announced on Match Day, which typically occurs in mid-March. Applicants learn whether and where they matched.
- If an applicant matches, they are legally bound to attend that residency program.
- For those who do not match, a secondary process called the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) allows applicants to apply for any unfilled residency positions.
Key Points to Note:
- Competitive Fields: Some specialties, like orthopedic surgery and dermatology, are more competitive, requiring applicants to have strong academic and extracurricular profiles.
- IMG Considerations: : International Medical Graduates (IMGs) may face additional hurdles and should ensure their credentials meet U.S. standards, including ECFMG certification.
If you haven’t seen this video about the match algorithm yet, you should:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvgfgGmemdA
Please remember, at the end of the day, this is a personal decision. You may want to select the program that is close to your family, as your residency years will be amongst the most challenging years in your professional career. Alternatively, you may want to select a university program, in order to secure a competitive fellowship. Maybe your dream is to work in primary care, then maybe select a program which has more exposure to outpatient versus inpatient.
We suggest making yourself a pro-con list of every residency position in the days following your interview. It will help you organize your thoughts when everything is still fresh in your mind. Don’t discount how you felt walking out of the interview, if something didn’t feel right or you question how you may fit with the mission that program may not be the right one for you.
Finally, don’t rank a program based on how you think they will rank you, remember the NRMP algorithm will go down your list first and prioritize your choices.