Overview: Learn about the NRMP MATCH Process. Tutorial on how to apply for the NRMP Match step by step. Entry and certification of the Rank Order List (ROL). How does the Match algorithm work, and how is the Match week.
The “NRMP Match Process” is the magic system that makes the assignation of residency training positions accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) run smoothly and accurately. The MATCH system is operated by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The Match is a standardized and uniform process held in the same steps and methods for all applicants and participating institutions. This post will be directed more towards the Match process for an IMG (International Medical Graduate).
The Match, as its own name suggests, joins two parts that love each other (the program with the applicant). Furthermore, it is important to understand how it works because this system is actually oriented to favor the applicant’s preference as long as the programs have ranked that participant high enough to match. Almost all the residency training programs participate in the MATCH, with some programs not participating in the Match and filling their positions entirely outside of the Match (Pre-Match programs).
There are different types of Match, but this post will cover the NRMP Match with focus on the Main Residency Match. It is very important to familiarize with the NRMP Match process, and for that reason, it is highly recommended to check the NRMP website for the most important and official information. You can go to the NRMP Website by clicking on the following link:
NRMP National Residency Matching Program
There are educational contents posted on the NRMP website, particularly this videos that are shown here:
The NRMP Process for Applicants (all applicants in general):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=9Zfg-WmLCuM
The NRMP Match Process for International Medical Graduates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=96UCt9CYIx8
However, in this post, I will try to describe the most important aspects of the MATCH. The Match process can be divided into 3 parts:
- Application to the NRMP-Match.
- Rank Order List (ROL).
- The MATCH process.
1. Application to the NRMP/MATCH Process
The first step before applying consists of the eligibility verification. For IMG’s, such verification is mostly dependent and done by ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates). For an IMG to be eligible for applying to the Main Match, the following criteria should be met:
- Get the ECFMG Certification by accomplishing the verification of identification (Form 186), medical school credentials verification, and examination requirements set by ECFMG (USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS exams) before the Rank Order List deadline.
The other important part of the NRMP/MATCH process is related to the application for Residency in the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) system since this will allow an applicant to apply to the programs and get interview invitations that are crucial for getting matched. For information about how to apply for Residency using ERAS, please go to the following link:
Application for Medical Residency via ERAS
Please note that it is not necessary to hold an ECFMG Certificate by the time of application in ERAS. However, this is the most desirable options since some programs do not grant invitations to applicants without ECFMG Certification. Furthermore, it is vital to understand that the deadline for getting ECFMG certified is the NRMP Rank Order List deadline. You will notice that the deadlines do not necessarily depict the desirable timelines.
If you are eligible or close to being eligible (ECFMG Certified), the next step is to apply for the NRMP/MATCH:
NRMP Registration – National Resident Matching Program or “MATCH”
Remember, It is NOT mandatory to apply to NRMP for sending the applications through ERAS, it can be done later when the MATCH is opened. The application date for the NRMP Match is opened on September 15 at 12 pm EDT. It is very important to follow the calendars for the NRMP and ERAS deadlines. To review the NRMP MATCH calendar, please go to this link:
NRMP – National Resident Matching Program Calendar and Deadlines
For applying to the NRMP MATCH, we can use the R3 system website, please follow this steps:
- Go to NRMP – National Resident Matching Program.
- Select login/register or directly choose register for the “Main MATCH.”
3. You will be directed to the R3 system (the 3 Rs represent the Registration, Ranking, and Results system for the Match). Fill all the required basic information about you and your medical school until NRMP asks you to create a username and password for your account.
4. Continue and enter in your account in the following window with the data just created. You will see the notice for the NRMP policies.
5. After reading everything, click “I accept.”
6. In the next window, you will see the fees and payments needed. Select next and you will be asked to provide your payment information.
7. After the payment was made, you will observe a summary of the payment and an option for printing it which is recommended.
That is everything you need to do for registering for the MATCH at NRMP. Now, please don’t forget to come back to your ERAS account and go to the personal information part (which is the only part of the application that can be changed after the application was done). In the “MATCH information” option of the personal information, type your NRMP ID and then click on save my personal information. This is needed because programs need the NRMP ID to rank you after the interviews.
2. Rank Order List (ROL):
The Rank Order List (ROL) is a list of the residency programs that you are willing to attend for your training. The list is a key component of your Match since it will dictate what program you may get matched into depending on your choice. I would like to state that the Match system works to benefit a candidate’s choices. This gives the applicant the opportunity to dictate his or her own preferences and get the best chance to get their favorite program. It is crucial to understand that once an applicant has agreed to apply for the Match, and has not withdrawn from it at the appropriate deadline, there is a binding agreement that is being accepted. The agreement means that regardless of the program that an applicant gets Match into, that person is mandated to attend to that program. Not doing so, is considered irregular behavior and can have severe consequences for that applicant. Be sure to be willing to do this before applying for the Match and follow the deadlines we have provided before.
The Matching Algorithm
To understand well what is a ROL, first, it is very important to understand how the Matching algorithm works. The Matching Algorithm is a computerized process that uses mathematical calculations and operations to match candidates and programs with their most preferred choices. Please, take a look at this video from NRMP that explains it very well.
The applicant’s ROL will dictate where the algorithm starts looking for a Match. The applicant’s first choice program will be considered first and then it will continue on and on to the following programs until a definitive Match is reached. It is also important to understand the magnitude of the algorithm since it works for thousands of applicants every year.
In theory, you could rank programs you did not interview with, but there is virtually no chance for them to rank you. Therefore, one should rank only programs to which one has attended for an interview. The most important considerations when ranking a program are the following:
- Rank programs based on your preference. This may sound obvious, however, there are a lot of applicants that rank the programs they think they have more chances to get matched into rather than the programs that they like. That is a really big mistake. The misconception sometimes is that if you rank a “safety” program, you have more chances to get matched. That is not the case. Even if you put that safety program on the bottom of the list, if the other programs did not rank you high, but that program did, you will get matched. The order on your list does not affect the order in the program’s list. But putting the programs you liked the most first on your list will give you the opportunity of being selected by the programs you love first.
- Rank all the programs you interviewed with unless there are programs to which you would never want to attend. Remember that, it is dangerous to rank a program that you do not like since it is possible that you can end up working there and have a really bad time. Avoid having a short ROL list since that decreases your chances of matching significantly.
- Do not rank programs that did not grant you an interview. All the programs rank only applicants they interviewed.
- Rank as many programs as you can. The magic number of programs that you may need to rank does not exist because the experience differs from one person to another. Therefore, the best approach would be to rank all the programs you interviewed with, excluding the ones you would not want to get matched into. The decision is hard since it is up to you to decide if getting matched in such programs is better than not getting matched at all. The fee is already paid when you apply for the NRMP Match, and extra fees are in place once you have more than 20 programs (which is a lot and most applicant will not have). For more information, please check this link: http://www.nrmp.org/match-fees/.
- Create and enter your ROL in the R3 system as soon as possible. Create a ROL as soon as possible, usually during the interview season and then continue to modify it until you are sure about it. Enter that ROL in the R3 system soon, because during the last days the server may be overloaded or the website may get really slow. There is plenty of time to enter your ROL in the R3 system.
- Avoid last-minute changes. Anxiety can trick us sometimes. That is why it is recommended not to make last-minute changes in our ROL. If you have thoughtfully determined your ROL, and it has not changed for a week or more by the time closer to the ROL certification deadline, it is better to avoid making changes at that point since stress can alter our reasoning and we could make changes that we may regret later on.
Rank Order List Certification:
The ranking opens on January 15 or close and the ROL Certification Deadline for every year is close to February 21. It is recommended to certify and send the ROL using the R3 system at least a couple of days before that date.
On the R3 system website, the is a “Certify List” button that when selected asks applicants to enter their unique R3 system password to confirm certification. Please remember that, by certifying a ROL, applicants are registering for a binding commitment to training at any program with which they match.
Rank order List entry and certification using the R3 system:
The NRMP organization has created several tutorials on how to enter your ROL and certify it. It cannot be better and that is why I will provide the link to this tutorial because it explains step by step what to do and contains pictures and illustrative information. Please, check it out:
http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Enter_Certify_ROL_MRM-App.pdf
There are two ways in which applicants can verify that their ROL’s were submitted and are active:
- Changing the applicant status field in the R3 system from “Ranking” to “Certified.”
- By getting a confirmation email that is sent to the primary email address on file in the R3 system.
Changing and Re-Certifying a ROL (very important)
Different than when applying for Residency using ERAS where once you submit the application no changes can be made, it is possible to make changes to a ROL even after it has been certified. Nevertheless, when a certified ROL is changed in any way, the new version MUST be re-certified to be used in the Match. This is very important. Do not forget to certify again the changes you have made. Once a change to the ROL was done, there is no way to get the previous versions of our ROL since the R3 system does NOT retain previous information of a ROL, regardless of whether it was certified.
The Match Week: What is it like?
The Match week begins generally around March 12. There are several things that will occur from there and you can check them on the Match schedule.
http://www.nrmp.org/match-calendars/
The most important things that occur during the Match week are:
- March 12: SOAP begins.
- March 15: SOAP ends.
- March 16: MATCH DAY. The most important date of the season. The official time of results available on the website and by email is 1 pm for the Main Residency Match and SOAP.
The MATCH process can be really confusing and stressful. I hope that this post has helped you to understand a little more about how it works. Please, if you have any question or comment, do not hesitate to contact us.
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