NRMP Schedule of Dates

Now that rank lists are in, the next important date for residency applicants is March 11 at noon EST when both applicant matched/unmatched information and individual program filled/unfilled results are posted to the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) website. If you are not confident you will be matching, it's worth looking at the NRMP's schedule of dates, so you understand what the timeline of the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) - previously called the "Scramble" - is.

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Compared to the Old Scramble, NRMP's SOAP Cleans Up the Match

For those interested in a comprehensive explanation of the NRMP's process for unmatched candidates, here is an article I wrote for Student Doctor Network with a step-by-step approach to the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Most residency applicants are hopeful about their Match prospects, but if you are not a strong candidate, it's not a bad idea to understand SOAP early.

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For IMGs Participating in the 2014 Match

International Medical Graduates who are planning to participate in this coming year’s match should note that the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) ERAS Support Services will not longer accept paper documents. All of an applicant’s supporting documents must be submitted electronically. For more information about how different documents (transcripts, photographs, letters of recommendation) should be submitted, click here.

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Re-Applicants, A Daunting Task Lies Ahead

Re-applying to medical school, residency, or any other medical program is painful. I saw "Secret Ingredient for Success," a New York Times piece about self-examination, a few weeks ago and thought of those candidates who will face re-application in the next few months. In re-approaching the admissions process, it helps to have someone with expertise, experience and perspective to assess candidates' weaknesses and to propose new approaches.

A few years ago, I successfully assisted a medical school applicant who had previously been wait listed four years in a row! Here's her remark to me about her successful year after getting my input:

"Every...interview that I attended... offered [me] a spot in next year's class- including my number one school! And, remember, I had interviewed and was wait listed four times in previous application cycles!"
HD, medical school applicant

Consider contacting me for a Strategy Session and for editing assistance to avoid repeating mistakes during your next application cycle.