What is the Match?

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), commonly called “the Match,” is the system that places graduating medical students into residency training programs. Think of it as a binding matching process: you rank the programs you want, programs rank the applicants they want, and a computer algorithm finds the best possible pairing.

Every physician in the United States goes through this process (with a few exceptions like military matches and some specialty-specific early matches). Understanding how the Match works helps you make better decisions throughout medical school.

How the process works


Spring of M3

Choose your specialty

Based on your clinical rotation experiences, academic interests, and lifestyle preferences, you narrow down which specialty (or specialties) you want to pursue.

Summer before M4

Build your ERAS application

The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) is the platform through which you apply to residency programs. Your application includes your medical school transcript, USMLE/COMLEX scores, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and CV.

September

Applications open

ERAS applications are submitted to programs in September. You can apply to as many programs as you choose, though the average applicant applies to 40 to 80+ programs depending on specialty competitiveness.

October to January

Interview season

Programs review applications and invite selected candidates for interviews (increasingly virtual, though some remain in-person). This is one of the most intense periods of M4.

February

Rank list submission

After completing interviews, you submit your rank order list: a numbered list of programs from your top choice to your last choice. Programs simultaneously submit their own rank lists of applicants.

March (Match Week)

Match results

On Monday of Match Week, you learn whether you matched. On Friday (Match Day), you learn where you matched. The algorithm prioritizes applicant preferences, meaning you will match at the highest-ranked program on your list that also ranked you.

The algorithm

The Match algorithm is designed to be applicant-favorable. It works through your rank list from top to bottom, attempting to place you at your highest-ranked program that has a spot available for you. This means you should rank programs in your true order of preference, not based on where you think you are most likely to match. Gaming the system by ranking a less-preferred program higher does not improve your chances; it can only hurt you.

Match rates by specialty

Overall, approximately 93% to 95% of US MD seniors match each year. However, match rates vary significantly by specialty. Less competitive specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry have near-100% match rates. Highly competitive specialties like dermatology, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery have match rates of 70% to 85% for US MD seniors, meaning some applicants do not match even with strong applications.

What happens if you do not match

Students who do not match enter the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), a rapid process during Match Week where unmatched applicants can apply to unfilled residency positions. SOAP is stressful and unpredictable, but many students do find positions through this process. Students who do not match or SOAP may take a research year, complete additional clinical training, or reapply the following year.

Why this matters now

Even if you are years away from the Match, understanding this process helps you make informed decisions today. Choosing clinical experiences, research opportunities, and mentors with an eye toward your future specialty of interest puts you in a stronger position when the time comes.

Related pages

What to Expect in Medical School
Medical Specialties Explorer
How to Choose Between Schools

Last verified: March 2026