The NRMP recently published data regarding the most recent Match. Of note, emergency medicine – my specialty – had a whopping 554 positions that remained unfilled. Ouch! Additionally, although the numbers were better than last year, IMGs still struggled: US citizen IMGs saw only a 67.6% Match rate and non-US citizen IMGs had only a 59.4% Match rate.
There is a lot of data to review, so take a look here if you want more information on DO Match rates, specialty competitiveness, and SOAP.
Recently the NRMP requested public comment on the concept of a two-phase residency Match. In part, the plan would mitigate weaknesses in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), which provides the opportunity of unfilled positions to eligible unmatched residency candidates. SOAP replaced the Scramble, an inferior system from years ago. SOAP still has its weaknesses, however, including an expedited timeline for decision-making by candidates and programs.
See a full description of the proposed two-phase residency Match here. Of note, the first Match Day, which would be analogous to the current Match Day, would occur a month earlier in February. Accordingly, interview season would be shorter.
The plan has many benefits, but it would require some adjustments in candidates’ and residency directors’ calendars and thinking.
At 11am EST today (8am here on the West Coast) applicant Match statuses becomes available and SOAP starts. If you’re looking for a way to distract yourself with interesting material, take a listen to last week’s wonderful Planet Money podcast on matching algorithms called “The Marriage Pact.” The episode starts with a reference to my alma mater Stanford (go cardinal), reviews an innovative dating algorithm, and touches on the NRMP Match system.
Monday, March 15 starts Match Week 2021. For a comprehensive review of events, see the calendar here. Of note, SOAP starts at 11am EST and ends on March 18 at 3pm EST. On Friday, March 19 at noon EST, applicant Match results are available.
SOAP is somewhat complicated, so if you have questions about the process, make sure you read about it.
I’m wishing everyone good luck in the Match. If you are a current residency client, please email me with your results!
1. Don’t panic.
2. Try contacting – in a professional manner – all institutions to which you have sent your ERAS. You can send an email and call. When you call, be calm, respectful, and enthusiastic. Do not demand to speak to the program director! Let the person who answers the phone know that you are very interested in the program and would appreciate the opportunity to interview. Offer to be on an interview wait list if necessary.
3. Ask faculty to make calls or send emails on your behalf. This strategy is especially helpful if the faculty member has a tie to the institution and/or has a weighty title. (Yes, the system is broken in many ways.)
4. Prepare for the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Note that SOAP is not a separate program from the residency Match. So a) your main residency Match user status must be active and b) your credentials must be verified by the Rank Order List Deadline in order to participate in SOAP. Here is more information on SOAP.
5. Make a plan for what you will do if the Match and SOAP don’t work out for you. What will you do next year? How will you improve your written materials, interview skills, and overall candidacy? Consider getting comprehensive help and an honest assessment from me or a faculty member who is highly experienced in residency admissions – the sooner the better to improve a candidacy and prepare for a re-application. Also, as sad as this sounds, if this is not your first defeat in the Match/SOAP process, it might be time to consider other career options like research or industry. Sometimes it’s simply recognizing that one door is closing to see another one opening.
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more
