<strong>Roadmap</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Residency</strong>: FromApplication <strong>to</strong> the Match and BeyondIX. After the Program VisitThis section provides information andsuggestions regarding follow-up activitiesfor applicants after their visits <strong>to</strong>residency programs of interest.program direc<strong>to</strong>rs may regard anapplicant’s statement of commitment<strong>to</strong> a program in a thank-you note asdisingenuousAfter each program visit, it is recommendedthat the applicant:• Complete an assessment for eachfac<strong>to</strong>r on the information grid for thisprogram, including both factual informationand personal perceptions of fitwith the program• Synthesize information and perceptionsabout all programs by comparingrelevant fac<strong>to</strong>rs for each programvisited; maintain an up-<strong>to</strong>-dateranking of all programs visited• Prioritize programs of interest byrefining choices, based on the assessmentdata entered in the informationgrid following each program visit;begin the process of rank orderingthose programs of continuing interest• Send a thank-you note <strong>to</strong> programstaff after the visit, emphasizing theappealing characteristics of theprogram, but be aware that some• Begin rank-ordering residencyprograms on the basis of the datacollected and resulting personal preferences;consult with residency advisorsabout these ratings• Fac<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> be considered in determiningthe number of programs <strong>to</strong>rank include the competitiveness ofthe specialty and of the specificprograms being ranked, as well as theapplicant’s qualifications• Applicants are well advised <strong>to</strong> rankonly those programs that theyconsider acceptable, i.e., thoseprograms where they would be happy<strong>to</strong> undertake residency training• Applicants are also well advised not <strong>to</strong>include on the rank order list anyprogram deemed unacceptable for anyreason• Complete, submit, and certify the rankorder list prior <strong>to</strong> the deadline.21Association of American Medical Colleges, 2005
<strong>Roadmap</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Residency</strong>: FromApplication <strong>to</strong> the Match and BeyondX. <strong>Residency</strong> Application OutcomesThis section addresses applicants’ responsibilitiesand opportunities based on theoutcome of their match participation.A. Obligations of matchedapplicantsIt is the policy of every matchingprogram that the match between theapplicant and the program is a bindingcommitment for both sides. Failure <strong>to</strong>honor that commitment is a violation ofthe contract signed during the registrationprocess. Penalties for violations varyamong the different matching programs.Some matches allow applicants <strong>to</strong> seek awaiver of the match commitment, eitherby mutual agreement of the applicantand program or by contacting the matchoffice directly. The “rules” are availableon each match’s Web site.B. “Early match” outcomesApplicants participating in some “earlymatches”—the San Francisco MatchingProgram and the Urology Match—receive their match results in January orearly February. In some cases, a preliminaryposition will be “held” by the sameinstitution <strong>to</strong> which the applicantmatched. In other cases, applicants whoobtain residency positions through theearly matches will be required <strong>to</strong> registerfor the NRMP’s Main <strong>Residency</strong> Match<strong>to</strong> secure preliminary training. (U.S.allopathic medical school seniors mustparticipate in the NRMP for theirpreliminary positions.) Applicants whoobtain positions in the AOA Intern andResident Registration Program have acommitment for their first postgraduateyear and need not participate in theNRMP Main <strong>Residency</strong> Match for apreliminary position.Applicants who do not match in one ofthe early matches may seek residencypositions after that match concludes,using the list of available positions thattypically is posted on the match’s Website. The San Francisco MatchingProgram uses a Vacancy InformationSystem that lists post-Match positions, aswell as positions that have become vacantthroughout the year. Applicants mustcomplete the Applying <strong>to</strong> Post MatchVacancies form that is posted on the SanFrancisco Match Web site <strong>to</strong> participatein post-Match searches for vacantpositions.The Urology Match posts vacancies onits Web site after the match hasconcluded and throughout the year.Applicants must contact those programswith vacant positions directly.At the conclusion of the AOA Intern andResident Registration Program (IRRP)Match, the procedures <strong>to</strong> be followed byunmatched applicants and institutionswith available positions are posted onthe IRRP Web site.The NRMP begins <strong>to</strong> release the resultsof the Main <strong>Residency</strong> Match onMonday of Match Week, when applicantsare informed whether, but not <strong>to</strong> whichprograms, they have matched. At noonon Tuesday of Match Week, when theNRMP releases the list of unfilledprograms, “the Scramble” begins.Information is posted on the NRMPWeb site in a “dynamic” format, so thatpositions can be deleted from the list asthey are filled. The list indicates theformat in which the programs willreceive applications: via ERAS or bye-mail or by fax.C. “The Scramble”On Monday of Match Week, the NRMPnotifies applicants whether they havebeen matched <strong>to</strong> a residency trainingprogram. The following day, the NRMPnotifies programs whether they haveunfilled positions and, if so, how many.Two days later, full details of the resultsof the Main Match are released, andmost U.S. schools hold Match Dayceremonies.“The Scramble” takes place during twodays between Noon on Tuesday andNoon on Thursday of Match Week. Thisperiod is designed <strong>to</strong> permit unmatchedapplicants <strong>to</strong> locate residency positionsin programs that have unfilled positionsso they can begin planning for thetransition from medical school <strong>to</strong>residency and participate in Match Dayceremonies.Typically, residency training programsreceive Scramble applications after aninitial telephone call from the applicant.The application can be faxed, e-mailed,or sent via ERAS or FindAResident (seebelow). Many programs prefer <strong>to</strong> receivean initial explora<strong>to</strong>ry phone call, as itmakes the application more personal andtangible. Programs continue <strong>to</strong> seek thesame caliber of applicants during theScramble as they did prior <strong>to</strong> the Match.Applicants may now consider programswhich they had not previously considered.Most programs at this stage of theScramble process do not have the timefor a leisurely review of an ERAS applicationor a faxed application. They areprimarily seeking applicants who displaya good attitude, a strong work ethic, andsufficient skills <strong>to</strong> complete residencytraining and the relevant specialty board22Association of American Medical Colleges, 2005