Couples' Match

by Michelle A. Finkel MD, Insider Medical Admissions

I've received a few questions about the couples' match. Here is the information that the NRMP sends to applicants who inquire about it:

(Note the syntax mistakes are not mine :).)

Any two applicants may participate as a couple and may choose to link their individual rank order lists in the NRMP system so that corresponding pairs of programs may be considered together during the matching process.

Couples do not participate in a separate match. Each applicant register separately in the NRMP R3 System and then each partner must link themselves to the other partner in the “Update My Profile” Couples option, any time prior to entering their rank order lists. The rank order list function opens on January 15.

Programs consider, interview, and rank each applicant separately based on their individual merit or qualifications and not based on the fact that one is part of a couple in the Match. The NRMP does not indicate to the programs that applicants plan to enter their rank order lists as a couple.

Both applicants may rank the same or different specialties and programs. However, partners that rank the exact same program MAY possibly end up competing for the same positions in the program in this scenario.

Programs may be located at the same or different hospitals. The programs may be in any location preferred, such as the same city, neighboring cities, neighboring states or any other location of the applicants’ choice.

Prospective partners should determine early in their application process, as many acceptable locations of programs to apply to, so that they will have more workable combinations to rank (subject to interviews).

Couples have two unique options available to them in creating rank order lists:

· The same program of one partner may be ranked multiple times in combination with different programs of the other partner, increasing the possibility of one partner matching to a particularly desired program.

· After all combinations have been exhausted, one partner may also choose to go unmatched in order for the other to match to a program. The partner who is willing to go unmatched enters 999999999 opposite the corresponding program choices of the other partner. The partner who is unmatched will try to find a position through the “Scramble” for unfilled positions.

The R3 System tries to match your first choice and the partner’s first choice, your second and the partner’s second etc. until a match occurs or the entire rank order list is exhausted. Please note: The R3 System will only match you as a couple under this process. If it cannot match you as a couple, it will not try to match you as individuals. The coupling function is only done on the primary rank order lists of the two partners so any supplemental lists will be considered individually without regard for the coupling link.

Each partner of a couple will be billed $15.00. Additionally, for each program over 30 different unique program codes listed per each partner’s primary list, there is charge of $30.00 per additional program. For purposes of billing, even if the same unique program code number is used on one partner’s list more than one time in multiple combinations with different programs on the other partner’s list, it would count only as one code toward the 30 programs per list (no additional charge) limit.

Supplemental list fees per person are $30.00 per each unique program code over 30 programs ranked on all supplemental lists combined.

Please visit our website at www.nrmp.org under Residency Match and then click on the left menu on your applicant type and then on Couples to read further about the process.