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September 2022 Illuminator

Shining a Light on Match News that Matters

This issue of the Illuminator includes:

New Interview Policies

NEW! Interview Policies Incorporated into the Match Participation Agreement

A historic lack of systematic framework utilized by applicants and programs for the offering and acceptance of interviews has created growing concerns within the UME and GME communities. Some concerns center on interview invitation practices, interview cancellations, and expectations for post-interview communication. As part of the 2022 Main Residency Match, the NRMP published a position statement on interviewing that called for greater accountability on the part of applicants and programs to build an interview offer and acceptance space that promoted wellness and respect and reduced stress. More recently, national organizations like AAMC and AACOM along with specialty societies have reflected on interviewing and this spring published guidelines specific to expectations during the interview period. However, no organization has specific governance over the offer and acceptance of interviews as it relates to the transition to residency to ensure that participants are treated fairly and have a method to address their concerns.

The Match Participation Agreement includes a robust set of policies that extend from the application process through the 45th day of training; accordingly, the NRMP may reasonably incorporate language into existing policies that would bring clarity and guidance to the interview component of the transition to residency and create accountability for those applicants or programs who reportedly engage in unprofessional practices. At the May 2022 NRMP Board of Directors meeting, the Board met with other organizations who form a liaison group about the implementation of policy pertaining to the interview period and received overwhelming support. As such, the NRMP has established the following policies intended to protect applicants and programs, effective beginning with the 2023 Main Residency Match. 

Match Participation Agreement for Programs

Section 6.2 Interviews:

The recruitment phase for the Main Residency Match must be transparent, grounded, in equitable practices, reflect mutual respect for the needs of applicants and programs, and minimize unnecessary pressure. To that end, applicants and programs are bound by the terms of the applicable Match Participation Agreement to demonstrate ethical behavior when engaging in interview offers and acceptances.

6.2.1 Programs: During the recruitment phase, programs shall:

  • Extend interview offers that equal, not exceed, the total number of available interview slots
  • Provide applicants no less than 48 hours to accept or reject an interview invitation
  • Apply reasonable measures of notification (e.g., one-to-two weeks’ notice) when needing to cancel or reschedule an interview

During recruitment programs may expect applicants to make judicious assessment of and decisions about interview offers, accepting only those they intended to fulfill and apply reasonable measures of notification (e.g., one-to-two weeks’ notice) when needing to cancel or request rescheduling of an interview. 

Match Participation Agreement for Institutions

Section 6.2 Interviews:

The recruitment phase for the Main Residency Match must be transparent, grounded, in equitable practices, reflect mutual respect for the needs of applicants and programs, and minimize unnecessary pressure. To that end, applicants, programs, and institutions are bound by the terms of the applicable Match Participation Agreement to demonstrate ethical behavior when engaging in interview offers and acceptances. 

6.2.1 Institutions: During the recruitment phase, institutions shall ensure that programs:

  • Extend interview offers that equal, not exceed, the total number of available interview slots
  • Provide applicants no less than 48 hours to accept or reject an interview invitation
  • Apply reasonable measures of notification (e.g., one-to-two weeks’ notice) when needing to cancel or reschedule an interview

Match Participation Agreement for Applicants

Section 6.2 Interviews:

The recruitment phase for the Main Residency Match must be transparent, grounded, in equitable practices, reflect mutual respect for the needs of applicants and programs, and minimize unnecessary pressure. To that end, applicants and programs are bound by the terms of the applicable Match Participation Agreement to demonstrate ethical behavior when engaging in interview offers and acceptances. 

6.2.1 Applicants: During the recruitment phase, applicants shall:

  • Make judicious assessment of and decisions about interview offers, accepting only those they intended to fulfill
  • Apply reasonable measures of notification (e.g., one-to-two weeks’ notice) when needing to cancel or request rescheduling of an interview.

During recruitment applicants may expect programs to extend interview offers that equal, not exceed, the total number of available interview slots, provide applicants no less than 48 hours to accept or reject an interview invitation, and apply reasonable measures of notification (e.g., one-to-two weeks’ notice) when needing to cancel or reschedule an interview.

The NRMP also is updating the language for the three-year medical education curriculum in the Match Participation Agreements for Programs, Institutions, Applicants, and Medical Schools. Main Residency Match participants will register and electronically sign the updated Match Participation Agreement in the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system after the Match opens on September 15.

Questions about the new interview policies and other updates can be directed to policy@nrmp.org.

Two-Phase Match Proposal

Call for Public Comment Regarding Consideration of a Two-Phase Main Residency Match

The NRMP Board of Directors is evaluating the feasibility of a proposed Two-Phase Main Residency Match, to replace the current Match® and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®) processes and requests your input. 

The public comment period will be open through Friday, September 2, 2022. Please review the proposal and provide comments before the deadline September 2, 2022. The public comment survey may be accessed at: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6961115/2022-Two-Phase-Match-Survey.

Thank you to all those who have provided input on this important proposal, and we look forward to hearing from you if we haven’t already.

Codes of Conduct Updated

The NRMP updated its Codes of Conduct for Match participants. Ethical communication and behavior between applicants, program directors and staff, and medical school officials, faculty, and staff is essential to maintaining a fair and equitable process throughout the transition to residency and must be guided by the Match Participation Agreement.

The 2023 Main Residency Match Opens on September 15

The 2023 Main Residency Match opens for registration on September 15 at 12 p.m. ET. Once open, participating program directors, coordinators, and designated institutional staff will receive an instructional email with your username (if you are a returning user to the NRMP R3 system) or a token (if you are a new user to the NRMP R3 system).

We wanted to highlight a few of the updates to the 2023 Main Residency Match:

  • As highlighted above, the Match Participation Agreements will include interview policies. Please familiarize yourself with these and other policies governing your participation in the Match.
  • The Match calendar has been updated. Please note the Match Week time change on Monday, March 13, 2023. Applicant match status and program fill status will now be available in the R3 system and by email at 10:00 a.m. ET.
  • The standard applicant registration fee is now $70, which includes up to 20 ranks, a decrease from $85 in prior years.
  • We have a comprehensive support section on our website, www.nrmp.org, to help applicants, programs, institutions, and medical schools navigate the Match process.

Call for Nominations for the NRMP Board of Directors

The NRMP Board of Directors is seeking nominations for the following seats:

One director

Two resident physician/fellow directors

  • One must be a graduate of an international medical school
  • One must be a DO physician

Two medical student directors

The Board of Directors meets three times a year, usually in January, May, and October. Additional day-long meetings and conference calls are required for Board committee work.

The Board of Directors works hard to understand and respond to issues central to the Match and to ensure processes are always responsive to the needs of the GME community. The NRMP Board continues to seek out and elect individuals who can bring unique experiences and perspectives to the issues facing the organization and who represent constituencies of the academic medical community.

Please review the Board Nominations page for information about qualifications, links to online applications, and directions for submitting nominee packets. Nominations are due by November 1, 2022.

Current and Upcoming Publications

Research Brief: Virtual Experience and Holistic Review in the Transition to Residency: An Examination of the 2021 and 2022 Main Residency Matches

This research brief presents general findings on questions added to the 2021 and 2022 Applicant and Program Director Surveys targeting the virtual experience as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Brief also examines program responses to holistic review questions added to the Program Director Survey in 2022.

NRMP Annual Report is Published

In the 2021 – 2022 Annual Report, the NRMP reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing it and the medical education community.

Despite the pandemic, the NRMP was able to forge new ground as seen in an expansion of matching services, growth of staff and infrastructure, modernization of polices, development of a robust research agenda, refining of strategic priorities, and pursuit of innovation.

Results of the 2022 Program Director and Applicant Surveys

The Results of the 2022 Program Director Survey and the Results of the 2022 Applicant Survey will be published to the NRMP website by September 9, in time for applicants and program directors to review findings before the 2023 Main Residency Match opens on September 15. 

Data on participant virtual recruitment experiences, program practices related to holistic review of applications, and applicant assessment of program characteristics when deciding where to apply and interview will be highlighted in the reports.

Upcoming Dates

Colon & Rectal Surgery, Medical Genetics, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine

  • September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Opens

Surgical Critical Care

  • September 7, 12:00 p.m. ET: Match Day

Anesthesiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology

  • September 14, 9:00 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Certification Deadline

Main Residency Match

  • September 15, 12:00 p.m. ET: Match Opens

Rehabilitation Medicine

  • September 21, 12:00 p.m. ET: Match Opens

Emergency Medicine

  • September 21, 12:00 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Opens

Anesthesiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology

  • September 28, 12:00 p.m. ET: Match Day

Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match

  • September 28, 12:00 p.m. ET: Rank Order List Opens

Colon & Rectal Surgery, Medical Genetics, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine

  • September 28, 11:59 p.m. ET: Quota Change Deadline

Careers at NRMP

NRMP is growing to meet the needs of the community. We currently have one open position:

  • Senior Director, Data and Analytics


For more information, please visit our Careers page. NRMP is an equal opportunity employer.