Residency and the Match

Obtaining the Doctor of Medicine degree is your first step to becoming a licensed physician. Each state has its own licensing requirements, and it is your responsibility to research the regulations that apply. Almost all students seek a residency after they receive their medical degree. Positions are filled by a computerized system that matches program and applicant preferences to obtain a fair result.

You’ll determine which match to use depending on the specialty you want to enter. You’ll begin the match process late in the third year and learn where you will be doing your residency in March of your fourth year.

You will complete your residency choices through one of four matches:

  • National Resident Matching Program (NRMP): The majority of students use the NRMP, known as “the match.” This process begins in July with the application and culminates in match results the third Thursday of March. Almost all specialties except those affiliated with other match programs participate in this match.

    The NRMP uses the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) for participating programs. The advantage to using ERAS is that you are responsible for transmitting only your personal documents--the application and personal statement. The remaining documents--your letters of recommendation, transcript, and Medical Student Performance Evaluation--are sent directly to the college’s match coordinator to update the application. A few programs do not participate in ERAS. When this occurs, you are required to follow the program’s application instructions.

    The computerized match is held in March. The Monday before the third Thursday in March you will be notified regarding whether or not you matched. On Tuesday of that week, unmatched students are notified of unfilled programs and at noon begin to “scramble” for open positions. On Wednesday, the College of Medicine is notified of the match results. That Thursday, results are released to students in a College ceremony at 12:00 noon and through the NRMP Web site (http://www.nrmp.org) at 1:00 p.m.
  • The San Francisco Match: If you are interested in a residency position in neurological surgery or ophthalmology, you’ll need to enter through the San Francisco Match and its Central Application Service. Students are responsible for gathering all supporting documents and assembling the application, which is due in August or early September. This computerized match, known as “early match,” occurs in January. Students who match into advanced programs will remain registered for the main match to fill the intern or preliminary year.
  • The American Urological Association: This specialty holds an independent, computerized match in January for students going into urology. You will use the same application service as the NRMP, namely ERAS. Your deadlines will start in September. Since some residencies are advanced programs only, an applicant may need to be registered for the regular match to fill the intern year.
  • Military Match: If you are a student with an attachment to the Army or Navy (e.g., attending medical school on a Health Professions Scholarship), you’ll want to use the ERAS application service. The Air Force has its own system. All military applications must be completed by October of your senior year with students learning their placement or deferment in December. Those who match with the military are withdrawn from the regular match. Those who are deferred will continue with interviewing and program selection in their preferred match. Your match result is a binding agreement. Students and programs are expected to honor the placements generated through the matching process. You may be released from a result only if the program, the appropriate matching agency, and your medical school agree that a compelling reason precludes your attendance. Any other type of separation may be considered a match violation, which can prevent you from reentering the match at a later date.

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