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Application & Match Systems

There are several different application and match systems. The systems you will use are determined by the specialty to which you are applying. You might have to use more than one type of application or match system. The major ones are described below:

ERAS

The Electronic Residency Application Service Application System (ERAS) is used to distribute application materials to programs. ERAS provides comprehensive listings of the specialties currently participating in ERAS at this link. You may view the list of programs in a specific specialty by clicking the specialty name.

"Tokens" are electronic codes that allow you to register and access MyERAS (your personal workstation in ERAS) online. Tokens will be available in mid-April and will be emailed to you. This number will be used one time only to access the MyERAS application. You will need your AAMC ID number as well, this can be found in your MedScope portfolio. We strongly recommend that you place this number in a safe place, as you will need it several times during the course of this process. Once you obtain your token from the OSA, you should go to the ERAS website and click on the Sign into MyERAS button to register.

Please let the Office of Student Affairs know if you will be applying to programs outside of ERAS. You will also need to send Student Affairs the addresses to which to mail your MSPE and transcripts. For these programs, you are responsible for requesting the appropriate application materials and sending all supporting materials directly to them. Your letter writers should be supplied with mailing labels to send letters of recommendation directly to these programs.

NRMP

The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Match System is popularly called "The Regular Match." This is the computer program by which students and programs rank each other and then are matched according to those rankings. It is used by students to enter a match list in February and is the match system used by the majority of specialties.

Couples/Partners Match

There is a system by which you can enter your match lists as part of a couple. This couples match will ensure a match in the same geographic area. Each partner enrolls individually in the Match and indicates in the NRMP system that they want to be in the Match as a part of a couple. The NRMP allows couples to form pairs of choices on their primary rank order lists. The couple will match to the most preferred pair of programs on the rank order lists where each partner has been offered a position. For details, check the NRMP website.

Early Matches

SF Match

It is called the "Early Match" because the application and match schedules happen earlier than those of the "Regular Match." These programs may have additional requirements for applications. You will need to check with each program to understand what is needed.

San Francisco Match received this name because the administrative offices are in San Francisco. Information about SF Match is available on the web at www.sfmatch.org.

Opthalmology

The Ophthalmology Match takes place in February and will be used to process all applicants who want to start their residency training in July of the following year. It is part of the SF Residency Match specialties. The following is a link to the OMP timetable for the 2023 Residency Match for PGY-1 2023 and PGY-2 2024 – Ophthalmology Residency 2023 Timeline

Urology

The Urology Match uses both a computer-based common application system and a computer-based matching system. It is also an early match, managed by the Urology Matching Program. Match registration and application information for urology are available on the web at http://www.auanet.org/education/residency.cfm. Some urology programs use ERAS. The Urology Residency Match Program, administered by the American Urological Association (AUA), now include an integrated preliminary (PGY-1) year in the full course of training. US allopathic medical school seniors participating in the AUA Match are no longer required to register with Main Residency Match to obtain the PGY-1 year of training.


For further information regarding the urology match contact:

The Urology Residency Matching Program
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 1-866-RING AUA (1-866-746-4282), ext. 3913
Fax: 410-689-3939
E-mail: resmatch@auanet.org

Federal Services/Military Early Application and Match Systems

The U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy do not participate in the NRMP but make their own appointments directly. Since the number of military appointments available is often insufficient for the number of candidates applying, students may need to participate in the NRMP simultaneously to protect themselves. The military will announce their results in time for students to withdraw from the NRMP. Please contact the appropriate branch of the Armed Services to obtain information about application deadlines and procedures. Additionally, please see the 2022-2023 Military Match Guide for additional information and timelines.

Army

The Army will use the ERAS application system for all program applications. For further information and details about the application process, please visit http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/Home.aspx.

Navy

The Navy sends students information regarding the match during Year III. Students should make sure that the Navy has their current mailing address and e-mail information. The Navy will use the ERAS application system for all PGY I applications. For further information and details about the application process, please visit www.navy.com/healthcareopportunities/medicalcorps/.

Air Force

For applications and information, visit http://www.airforce.com/healthcare/doctor.

Canadian Early Application and Match System (CaRMS)

U.S. and Canadian students are permitted to participate in both matching programs. As the CaRMS match is run earlier, students participating in both programs must agree to accept the Canadian program to which they are matched. Their names will be automatically withdrawn from the NRMP Match if they match under the CaRMS. Those not matched by the CaRMS will remain in the NRMP Match. The CaRMS furnishes a listing of all dual participants to the NRMP for appropriate withdrawals.

To contact the Canadian match:

Canadian Resident Matching Service
105-380 Hunt Club Road
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada K1V 1C1
Phone: 1-877-227-6742
(877) CARMS-42
Fax: (613) 563-2860
E-mail: help@carms.ca
Website: www.carms.ca

Shared Residency

The NRMP has a mechanism whereby a pair of applicants who wish to share a single, full-time residency position may do so through the Match, subject to the approval of residency directors. Check Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access (FREIDA) to see if programs you like have shared residencies listed. You can also call programs directly; many programs don't list shared residencies but will help to accommodate interested students. For details, check the NRMP website.