Keys to Success in the Match: The Rank Order List
ACG Case Reports Journal
Matthew Chin, MD, University of California, Irvine
In 2012, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) made adjustments to the application and interview process for internal medicine fellowship programs participating in the NRMP Specialties Matching Service® (“the Match”). The application process was moved to the fall and winter, prior to the summer start of the next academic year. This schedule is well-known to anyone applying to fellowship programs starting in July 2017, as the interview season is in full swing. Soon, applicants will extert tremendous mental effort making, revising, and re-revising rank lists ahead of the November 16, 2016 deadline. Everyone approaches this process with their own unique perspectives and priorities; however, we offer advice that may be helpful to those seeking additional guidance.
Be informed. Many applicants to GI fellowship have already participated in the match process prior to starting internal medicine residency, and some may participate in the match again if they pursue additional training in interventional endoscopy. A basic understanding of the match process is a mandatory first step to success, especially for international medical school graduates or those who may be participating in the couples match for the first time. The NRMP has resources, including frequently asked questions, which address many concerns: http://www.nrmp.org/faq-sections/applicants-faqs/.