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Roadmap to Residency: - AAMC

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<strong>Roadmap</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Residency</strong>: FromApplication <strong>to</strong> the Match and Beyondelectronic signatures. The listing of anapplicant by a program on its certifiedrank order list or of a program by anapplicant on the applicant’s certifiedrank order list establishes a bindingcommitment <strong>to</strong> offer or <strong>to</strong> accept anappointment if a Match results. Failure<strong>to</strong> honor the match commitment byeither party may subject the party <strong>to</strong>sanctions as outlined in the NRMPViolations Policy that is posted on theNRMP Web site.Applicant registration for the Matchopens each year on August 15. Althoughthe early registration deadline isDecember 1, registrations are acceptedafter that date upon payment of a latefee. The ranking function opens onJanuary 15 and closes on the thirdWednesday in February.Match Week takes place during the thirdweek in March. On Monday of MatchWeek, applicants learn whether, but not<strong>to</strong> which programs, they have matched.On Tuesday, the NRMP releases a list ofthose positions that were not filled in theMain Match. The third Thursday inMarch is Match Day, when applicantslearn <strong>to</strong> which specific programs theyhave matched.Any applicant who does not match in theMain Match can seek a residencyposition during a post-Match processknown colloquially as “the Scramble.” AtNoon (EST) on Tuesday of Match Week,when the NRMP releases a list of thosepositions that were not filled in theMatch, unmatched applicants are free <strong>to</strong>contact those programs and submitapplications for any unfilled positionsthat are posted on the NRMP’s secureWeb site. It is a violation of the MatchParticipation Agreement for an applicantwho matched <strong>to</strong> a residency position inthe Match <strong>to</strong> seek an alternative positionduring the Scramble.B. The San Francisco MatchingProgramFor 2007, the San Francisco MatchingProgram (www.sfmatch.org) offers PGY-2positions in specialties that do not participatein the NRMP: neurological surgery,child neurology, ophthalmology, andPGY4 positions in plastic surgery. It alsooffers fellowship positions in severalsubspecialties. Applicants are advised <strong>to</strong>review carefully the information providedon the San Francisco Match Web site.Because the San Francisco Match doesnot offer PGY-1 positions, applicantsmust obtain their preliminary positionsoutside of the San Francisco Match.Some programs have designated preliminarypositions in the same institution forapplicants who match through the SanFrancisco Match; therefore, these applicantsdo not have <strong>to</strong> go through amatching program <strong>to</strong> obtain a PGY-1position. Other programs require applicants<strong>to</strong> participate in the NRMP Main<strong>Residency</strong> Match <strong>to</strong> obtain a position forpreliminary training. Preliminarypositions for U.S. allopathic medicalschool seniors must be offered throughthe NRMP Main <strong>Residency</strong> Match.To participate in the San FranciscoMatch, applicants complete the onlineregistration form, print it, and mail orfax it along with the required payment <strong>to</strong>the San Francisco Matching Program.Applicants are then mailed a certificateof registration, as well as additionalinformation on matching procedures.Most, but not all, of the programs participatingin the San Francisco Match usethe Central Application Service (CAS);programs in those specialties not usingthe CAS must be contacted directly fortheir individual applications. ERAS is notused by any specialties participating inthe San Francisco Match. It is important<strong>to</strong> note that registration for the SanFrancisco Match does not register anapplicant for the CAS or vice versa.Information about the CAS can be foundon the San Francisco Match Web site.The ranking function for the SanFrancisco Match is also paper-based.Applicants complete the form that isposted on the San Francisco Match Website and send it by overnight mail, U.S.Postal Service, or fax <strong>to</strong> the SanFrancisco Match office. Receipt will beconfirmed by mail or telephone. Aseparate form must be completed ifchanges are made <strong>to</strong> the rank order list.As with the NRMP, the San FranciscoMatch uses an “applicant-proposingalgorithm,” and all matches are tentativeuntil the matching process has beencompleted, with the outcome determinedby the rank order lists submittedby programs and applicants. All matchesare binding commitments.Registration for the San Francisco Matchbegins in May, and the target date forreceipt of CAS applications is lateAugust. The period for submitting rankorder lists is December through mid-January, and Match Day is at the end ofJanuary. Unfilled positions are posted onthe San Francisco Match Web site inearly February.9Association of American Medical Colleges, 2005

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