National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)

Abstract

The National Resident Matching Program, also known as the Main Residency Match, or simply “The Match,” is a program that matches applicants to a US residency program of any specialty with the exception of urology and ophthalmology, which have their own matching programs. The residency matching process is one that is almost a year long and involves an online application including letters of recommendation, a personal statement, medical school performance evaluation (MSPE, often referred to as the “Dean’s letter”), and transcript. The earliest date you can begin this online application is during the month of May for US seniors/graduates or Canadian medical graduates. For international medical graduates (IMG), you must wait until June when the ECFMG releases your ERAS token, a one-time access code used to register for the online application—ERAS (see below for more information). The earliest you can submit your application is a date in mid-September. Most programs extend interview offers between September and December. Many programs wait until the submission of your MSPE, which historically has occurred on October 1st. Applicants receive the bulk of their interview offers during the months of October and November. By the end of February, applicants must submit a rank list of programs at which they interviewed. In mid-March, applicants find out whether or not they matched and where. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the details of this process and supply tips for a successful match.