October 2026 Illuminator Newsletter
Shining a Light on Match News that Matters This issue of the Illuminator includes: 2027 Main Residency Match® News and Reminders Medical Schools: Upload Rising…
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News
Updates
View All NewsNRMP and NBME Publish Report on Program Ranking Patterns
In collaboration with NBME, the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released a new report, Characteristics of Applicants Included on Residency Program Rank Order Lists…
NRMP Issues Call for Nominations for Board of Directors
The NRMP Board of Directors is seeking nominations for directors whose terms of service would begin on July 1, 2027. Specific vacancies include: Deadline for…
New Webinar: 2027 Match Overview for Medical Schools
Chief of Match Operations Jeanette Calli and Director of Policy and Compliance Joy Gaabucayan recently hosted a webinar for medical school officials and administrators…
2027 Main Residency Match Welcome Newsletters
Applicant and medical school registration for the 2027 Main Residency Match® opens on September 15 at 12 p.m. ET. We created welcome newsletters for…
NRMP Publishes First-Ever Report on Program Signaling
The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released a first-ever, evidence-based analysis of how residency program preference signaling is associated with key outcomes beyond…
Categorical Position (“C”): Post graduate year one (PGY-1) position that provides the full training required for board certification in a specialty.
Primary Position (“M”): PGY-1 position in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics that provides a training emphasis on primary care.
Preliminary Position (“P”): One-year position in an Internal Medicine, Surgery, Transitional Year, or specialty program that provides prerequisite training for entering advanced positions.
Advanced Position (“A”): Position in a specialty program that begins the year after the Match and after one or more years of required preliminary training.
Reserved Positions (“R”): PGY-2 positions in specialty programs that begin in the year of the Match and are reserved for physicians with prior graduate medical education. These positions are also known as “Physician Positions”.