The Residency MATCH
Every year, thousands of residents wait eagerly for an email letting them know if the past 8 years of hard work were finally recognized; they get to know if they matched into a residency program. The MATCH, or the National Resident Matching Program, is a proprietary algorithm to match residents to specific programs and specialties. For example, it differentiates between those interested in pediatrics vs. plastic surgery, and what specific hospital they are matched to. Unfortunately, the process can confuse those looking from outside, so let's get into the timeline for the MATCH.
Before the MATCH itself, fourth-year medical students have to create an application of USMLE test scores, medical school transcripts, medical school performance evaluations (MSPEs) from rotations, letters of recommendation, a headshot, and a personal statement. The quality of each of the specific pieces determines the applicant's success in the process, as some specialties (anesthesia and surgery programs) and attractive programs within the same specialty (Yale’s anesthesia program vs. a smaller anesthesia program in the Midwest) are more competitive than others. Something not included in the requirements but boosts one’s chances is research: Kaplan writes that “in certain specialties, research experience that leads to peer-reviewed presentations or publications can positively influence the choice of candidate.”
After applications open in early June and students select their programs of interest and their applications can start to become reviewed in August, hospitals begin sending out interview requests in October of the student’s fourth year (MS4). Lasting until January of the following year, students are most busy with interviews in December and January. In fact, for matched applicants in the 2022-2023 cycle, the median number of interview invitations was 14. In the interview itself, it’s recommended that students should “ask questions to demonstrate clinical knowledge and talk about the meaningful experiences that have influenced your career path.” Furthermore, with interviews being mostly virtual now, it can be important to organize your setup so no errors occur.
With interviews finishing in January and the heavy lifting over, students start to create their final ranked list of residency programs, using what they’ve learned about them through the process and researching the unique details of each program. Applicants can start submitting their rank order list Feb. 3, 2025, although the final deadline is March 5, 2025. It’s important to give yourself grace when ranking the programs: “The methods to make a MATCH rank order list are highly individualized. Consider the factors that matter to you most as an applicant and how each program with which you interviewed meets those factors.” Lastly, the MATCH process is a numbers game, as the more programs that are ranked, the more options the algorithm has. As a result, strongly consider ranking all of the programs you have interviewed at.
All that’s left to come is your result! Good luck!
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“How to Land the Medical Residency You Want: 8 Criteria You’ll Be Evaluated On.” Medical Blog, 19 July 2022, www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/how-to-land-the-medical-residency-you-want/. Accessed 19 July 2024.
“Documents for ERAS® Residency Applicants.” Students & Residents, 2024, students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/documents-eras-residency-applicants. Accessed 19 July 2024.
“How It Works.” NRMP, 2024, www.nrmp.org/intro-to-the-match/how-matching-algorithm-works/. Accessed 19 July 2024.
“5 Ways to Stand out to Residency Programs – Kaplan Test Prep.” Kaptest.com, 16 Sept. 2019, www.kaptest.com/study/usmle/5-ways-to-stand-out-to-residency-programs/. Accessed 19 July 2024.
“5 Things to Do If You Aren’t Getting Enough Residency Interviews.” American Medical Association, 22 Nov. 2023, www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-residency/5-things-do-if-you-aren-t-getting-enough-residency-interviews#:~:text=According%20to%20data%20from%20the,interview%20invites%20can%20take%20time. Accessed 19 July 2024.
“Countdown to Match Day: What M4s Must Do to Prepare.” American Medical Association, 12 June 2024, www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-residency/countdown-match-day-what-m4s-must-do-prepare. Accessed 19 July 2024.
“The Interview Timeline.” Students & Residents, 2024, students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/publication-chapters/interview-timeline#:~:text=Residency%20interviews%20usually%20occur%20October,own%20process%20and%20associated%20timelines. Accessed 19 July 2024.
