Another Match Day, another set of numbers
Every March, thousands of medical students across the country open an envelope (or click a link) and learn where they will spend the next 3 to 7 years of their training. Match Day is the culmination of four years of medical school and months of applications, interviews, and anxious waiting.
Here is what the latest Match results tell us about the state of graduate medical education and what it means for students earlier in the pipeline.
Overall match rate
The overall match rate for US MD seniors has remained consistently above 93% in recent years, with most unmatched students successfully placing through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) during Match Week. For US DO seniors, the match rate has climbed steadily since the transition to the single accreditation system in 2020, reaching record levels. International medical graduates (IMGs) face a more competitive landscape, with match rates typically between 60% and 65%.
Specialty trends
Several specialties have become increasingly competitive over the past 5 years:
Growing competition: Dermatology, plastic surgery, and orthopedic surgery continue to have the lowest match rates among US seniors, with some applicants going unmatched despite strong credentials. Interventional radiology and neurosurgery have also become more competitive.
Growing demand: Psychiatry applications have surged, driven by increased societal awareness of mental health. Emergency medicine, which was once among the most competitive specialties, has seen decreased application numbers in some regions as lifestyle concerns and reimbursement changes have shifted interest.
Stable and welcoming: Family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics continue to offer near-100% match rates for US graduates and remain the backbone of primary care physician production.
What this means for pre-med students
If you are years away from the Match, these trends still matter. The specialty landscape shapes advising, mentorship, and the culture of medical schools. A few takeaways:
Keep your options open. Many students enter medical school certain about their specialty and change their minds after clinical rotations. A strong clinical and academic foundation keeps all doors open.
Primary care is not a “backup.” Family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics are chosen by students who genuinely love the work, and these fields offer stable careers with high match rates and significant community impact.
Research matters for competitive specialties. If you are interested in dermatology, orthopedics, or other highly competitive fields, building a research portfolio during medical school is important. Students who match into these specialties typically have multiple publications and strong faculty mentors.
The single accreditation system works. Since the merger of MD and DO residency accreditation in 2020, DO graduates have matched at record rates. The distinction between MD and DO training continues to narrow in practical terms.
For more information
The NRMP publishes detailed Match data annually at nrmp.org (free). The Charting Outcomes report breaks down match rates by specialty, scores, and applicant type. For a broader understanding of what residency involves, see our Residency Match Explained page.
Related pages
The Residency Match Explained
Medical Specialties Explorer
What to Expect in Medical School
