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I’m ready to create my rank order list. Should I include all programs where I interviewed even if I’m not sure I want to train there?

The Match Participation Agreement you signed electronically when you registered for the Match states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to accept a position if a match results and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment…

What do I do if an applicant who has a binding commitment to my program does not show up for training?

The Match Participation Agreement states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to offer and accept a position and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment contract.  For the Main Residency Match®, the same binding…

Will NRMP require a different registration for me if I use the OB/GYN application service?

At this time, no. The NRMP registration process will remain the same for all participants in the Match.  Applicants and programs will continue to register separately for the application service and the Main Residency Match, regardless of the application service that is used. However, the NRMP and Liaison International are seeking ways in which these…

As a fellowship program director, one of my current residents has asked me for advice about other fellowship programs to which she should apply. Am I allowed to discuss programs in which she might be interested?

Yes. Restricting a program’s ability to ask applicants about the names, specialties, geographical locations, or other identifying information about programs to which applicants have or may apply is not intended to limit mentoring relationships. Residency and fellowship program directors are encouraged to help applicants and residents who seek guidance about their training plans.

My academic, professional, and/or personal information has changed since I interviewed with programs. What should I do?

NRMP policy requires applicants to provide complete, timely, and accurate information to programs. Accordingly, changes to personal, academic, or professional information that could affect eligibility for appointment or ability to obtain licensure must be conveyed to programs, even if you already have submitted your application and/or completed program forms or documents. Failure to provide complete, timely, and accurate…

Do I have to register for ERAS® or the application service designated by the program and NRMP to participate in the Match?

Most residency programs participating in the Main Residency Match and many fellowships participating in the Specialties Matching Service use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges® (AAMC). ERAS is a separate organization and thus requires a separate registration by applicants.  You must register for both the application service designated by…

I’m applying to a specialty that offers the option of submitting preference signals to programs.  Can a program I interview with ask me about the programs I might have signaled?

No.  Programs are prohibited from asking applicants any information about the programs to which they have or may apply, and that includes whether the applicant submitted preferences signals. Program directors who ask for that information could be in violation of the Match Participation Agreement and the matter should be reported to the NRMP.

How will I know which application service to use if I register to participate in SOAP only?

Programs will be required to disclose to applicants, at the start of recruitment, the application service or process they will require for the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). The NRMP R3 system also will identify the program’s selections and expects programs to clearly communicate that information and make it readily…

Do programs have to disclose to applicants the application process they intend to use for the 2024 Main Residency Match and SOAP?

Yes, NRMP policy requires that all programs inform applicants about the specific application service(s) or process(es) they intend to use during the 2024 Main Residency Match and SOAP.  In addition, the NRMP’s Registration, Ranking, and Results system (R3) will be updated for the 2024 Main Residency Match to require programs to identify all of the…

How will applicants who apply to OB/GYN during the algorithm phase of the 2025 Match, and go unmatched, apply to programs during SOAP?

Applicants will utilize the application service or process designated by the specialty or the program. Any residency application service that supports programs participating in the Main Residency Match will work with the NRMP to establish and/or maintain a seamless exchange of applicant information so applicants are able to move through the Match Week and SOAP…

Will the NRMP revise its Match Participation Agreement for the Main Residency Match to reflect changes to the application process?

Historically, the NRMP has shown no preference for, or mandated applicants or programs using a particular application service or process. With the onset of the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) in 2012, the NRMP modified its Match Participation Agreements to identify the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) as the required application service during Match…

My academic, professional, and/or personal information has changed since I interviewed with programs. What should I do?

NRMP policy requires applicants to provide complete, timely, and accurate information to programs. Accordingly, changes to personal, academic, or professional information that could affect eligibility for appointment or ability to obtain licensure must be conveyed to programs, even if you already have submitted your application and/or completed program forms or documents. Failure to provide complete, timely, and accurate…

How do I know if an applicant has a binding commitment to another NRMP Match-participating program?

The Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system includes an Applicant Match History feature that indicates whether an applicant has a binding commitment to another Match-participating program and whether the applicant has been denied a waiver or has a confirmed violation of the Match Participation Agreement.  The Applicant Match History must be used by program directors and…

My institution requires all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. Can we directly ask an applicant their vaccination status?

Programs are advised to direct this question to their institution’s GME office or human resources department. If pre-employment criteria requires that all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19, the program must provide that specific eligibility requirement along with all other eligibility requirements to the applicants who interview with the program prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline or offer made during SOAP. 

Can programs ask applicants what gender-associated pronoun(s) they prefer?

Programs are advised to direct this question to their institution’s GME office or human resources department. Programs may not require applicants to disclose their identified pronoun(s). Programs may allow an applicant to provide their preferred pronoun(s) should the applicant wish to volunteer that information. The NRMP encourages programs to use more inclusive and gender-neutral language when communicating.  

Should I rank all the programs at which I interviewed?

Rank only those programs where you are able and would be happy to train. Putting a program on your ROL creates a binding commitment if a match occurs, so review carefully each program’s eligibility requirements and the contract you will be expected to sign. You should receive that information from programs during the application/interview process.…

I’m applying to a specialty that offers the option of submitting preference signals to programs.  Can a program I interview with ask me about the programs I might have signaled?

No.  Programs are prohibited from asking applicants any information about the programs to which they have or may apply, and that includes whether the applicant submitted preferences signals. Program directors who ask for that information could be in violation of the Match Participation Agreement and the matter should be reported to the NRMP.

How is the NRMP program code determined?

Every program participating in an NRMP Match has a unique 9-11 character code constructed in the following manner: Characters 1-4: the institution code Characters 5-7: the ACGME specialty code Character 8: program type letter Characters 9-11: track number (track number will be “0” unless an institution has more than one program in a specialty of…

If I match to an advanced program on my primary rank order list (ROL), but do not match to one of the linked preliminary programs on my supplemental list, will the algorithm keep going down my list to match me to both position types?

No. If the algorithm has matched you to an advanced position on your primary ROL and is not able to match you to a preliminary position on your linked supplemental ROL, it will not keep going down your list. In that case, you are committed to the advanced position and must seek a qualifying first-year…

I obtained a position in the Main Residency Match®, but I just learned that I will not graduate in time to begin training on July 1. What should I do?

The Match Participation Agreement states that applicants must meet ACGME® and institutional requirements prior to the start of training in order to be eligible for their matched positions.  If you learn you are ineligible to honor your binding commitment, you must immediately submit to the NRMP a request for a waiver of your match commitment .  You also…

Are programs required to obtain a signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of institution and program policies and eligibility requirements from all applicants or only those who interview with the program?

Programs shall obtain signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of receipt from all applicants they interview. Programs are not required to obtain the signature of applicants they did not interview; however, programs should ensure the information is made available via electronic (website) or written means. 

Do I need to verify my students and graduates for participation in the Main Residency Match?

Medical school officials/administrators (SO/SA) are required to verify the graduation credentials of their students and prior-year gradautes to participate in the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Credentials vertification is an important task: only students and graduates who are verified as eligible to enter graduate medical education (GME) on July 1…

What requirements for ECFMG certification must I complete to be eligible to participate in the Main Residency Match?

The NRMP will send the list of IMG applicants who have registered for the Main Residency Match to the ECFMG, a member of Intealth, once a week after the Match opens for registration. ECFMG will send back to NRMP whether or not the applicant has completed the necessary medical science examination, clinical skills, and communication…

How do I set my SOAP participation status?

In order to participate in SOAP, program directors must set their SOAP participation status to “YES” on the SOAP Participation tab accessible through their Program Details page in the R3 system. Program directors can begin setting their SOAP participation indicator when the Main Residency Match opens for registration on September 15th. The SOAP participation indicator…

Why would a program want to have a reversion?

The R3 system offers institutions the option to revert, or donate, unfilled positions in one program to another during the matching process. If a donor program does not fill its quota, a designated number (equal to, or less than, the quota) of its unfilled positions can be added automatically to the quota of a receiver…

What happens between Rank Order List Deadline and Match Day?

Between the Rank Order List Certification Deadline and Match Day, the NRMP conducts a rigorous review of Match data, including: Assessing and confirming the integrity of the data Conducting a final verification of applicants’ credentials Withdrawing applicants who are ineligible for the Match Transferring the data from the R3® system to the matching algorithm module, rechecking the data,…

How does the matching algorithm work?

The process begins with an attempt to match an applicant to the program most preferred on that applicant’s rank order list (ROL). If the applicant cannot be matched to that first choice program, an attempt then is made to place the applicant into the second choice program, and so on, until the applicant obtains a tentative match…