The Match Process

1. The Match Process Getting Into a Residency Program

2. Match Process • Research programs • Application (usually through ERAS) • Select programs, assign documents • Apply to programs • Register with matching service • Interviews • Submit Rank Order List • Match • Scramble (optional)

3. Osteopathic Programs: Do-online (Opportunities) http://opportunities.osteopathic.org/ Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) National Matching Service (NMS) Allopathic Programs: FREIDA http://www.ama-assn.org/vapp/freida/srch/ Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Residency Program Information

4. Terms • Dually accredited - Program in which an osteopathic trainee is registered in a residency program that is accredited by both the AOA and ACGME. The osteopathic trainee receives both AOA and ACGME credit. Trainees who complete dual programs have the option to become board certified by either or both the AOA and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).  

5. Dually Accredited Programs Are there any in Oklahoma?

7. Resolution 42Provides approval of ACGME training as an AOA Internship • Apply for consideration during PGY-1 year • Requirements • Documentation • Core Rotations • For more information: https://www.do-online.org/index.cfm?PageID=sir_postdocabtres42

8. Application Services • ERAS – used by most specialties and programs • San Francisco Match http://sfmatch.org/ • Child Neurology • Neurotology • Ophthalmology • Plastic Surgery • Urology Match http://www.auanet.org/residents/resmatch.cfm • Some programs might use their own application Applicants are responsible for knowing which service to use – please do your homework!

9. Matching Services • National Matching Service • Osteopathic Match • June, applicants can register • October 10, recommended date for completing registration • January 23, 2009 – Rank Order List due • February 9, 2009 – Match Day

10. Matching Services • National Residency Matching program • Allopathic matching service • Registration begins 8/15/2008 at noon, EST • Deadline for registration is 11/20/08; after that, there is a $50 late fee • Last day to Register is 2/28/09 • Rank order list due 2/28/09 • 3/16/09 - Match information released to matched and unmatched • 3/17/09“Scramble” begins, noon EST • 3/20/09 – MATCH DAY results released

11. Matching Services • Military Match • Uses ERAS • Must also register with NRMP • GME-1 application – must be filled out typically by mid-July • Often require that you have passed Step 2 boards • Selection board meets before Thanksgiving • Match occurs in mid December

12. MATCH • A MATCH occurs when a program YOU rank also ranks YOU. • If a MATCH does not occur, you will participate in the “scramble” • Many excellent programs do not fill in the first match—students often obtain outstanding programs during the scramble

13. MATCH Algorithm • Each applicant's Rank Order List is traversed "downwards", from most preferred program to least preferred, until the first program is reached at which the applicant can be tentatively matched, or until the applicant's list of choices is exhausted. • Each program accepts applicants "upwards" on its Rank Order List, continually removing less preferred matches in favor of more preferred applicants, until the program is matched to the most preferred applicants who wish to be matched to the program.

14. The MATCH • If you sign up with a Match Program AND you submit a Rank List, you are committed to whichever program you match with • If you sign up with a Match Program, but don’t submit a Rank List, this allows you to “scramble” • DO NOT rank any programs that you would not want to attend

15. Couples Match • Process is the same • You may want to mention partner in the personal statement • Ranking the programs is the only MAJOR difference • Contact Matching service for couples Rank Order List

16. ERAS • You will set up an account in MyERAS • Create application • Documents attached by you • Personal Statement(s) • Authorize transmission of your COMLEX and/or USMLE transcripts • Designate letter writers

17. ERAS • Documents attached by Dean’s office (Terri Blevins, Clinical Education): • Dean’s letter (MSPE) • Letters of Reference • Transcript • Photograph (optional)

18. ERAS • Your CV is created by ERAS from your CAF • All programs that you apply to receive the same CAF • Information that you enter on a page is stored when you click save • You may change info at any time before you certify and submit • Once your application is submitted, you may NOT make changes • You may update information in the profile at any time

19. ERAS • Creating the application takes time • Use the checklist function under the account tab to check for missing information • Keep your profile information up-to-date at all times • Please review your CAF before certifying and submitting • Most programs will communicate by email

20. DOCUMENTS • All programs that you apply to receive • CAF • Official Transcript • Dean’s letter • These documents are assigned according to your instructions • LoR • COMLEX/USMLE transcript • Personal statement

21. Dean’s Letter • Must submit request form, CV, Information sheet, and (optional) personal statement • May request a meeting with Dr. Stewart • May review Dean’s letter

22. Personal Statements • With some exceptions, you can create and submit different personal statements to different programs • Each program receives only one personal statement from you • It is recommended that you cut and paste your personal statement from a word document • Do not use special characters that may show up as unreadable • Writing a thoughtful, concise, well-organized personal statement will help later on during interviews

23. Personal Statements Things to Include: • Reasons for selecting the specialty • Relevant Experience • Skills • Personal goals • Professional goals • Educational experience

24. Letters of Recommendation • Most programs require 3 letters of recommendation • Letters should focus on your clinical competency • You may designate which letters go to each program • If you are applying to more than one specialty, and you have a letter writer that is writing two different letters, please designate that clearly • You will not be able to see the letters, but you will be able to see when they have been attached

25. USMLE • If you apply to a ACGME program, and you have taken the USMLE, you MUST report it on your CAF • If you apply only to osteopathic programs and you have taken the USMLE, reporting it is optional • You must authorize release of your USMLE transcript before you can assign to programs

26. COMLEX • You must authorize the release of your COMLEX transcript before you can assign to any program • The first time you release your transcript, you will be charged $60 • If you get new COMLEX scores later on, you must resend if programs want updated scores

27. Programs • Research programs – DO-Online Opportunities, FREIDA • Programs selected – this function allows you to select programs you are interested in and assign documents to them • Programs applied to – these are the programs to which you have sent applications/documents. These cannot be removed. You may however, update the documents

28. Resources • Military match http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/medschool/publications/propeller/introduction.php • OSU-CHS Career Development website: http://www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/college/clinical/career/index.cfm • Personal Statements and CVs: http://www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/college/clinical/career/statements.cfm • Books available in Student Resource Room, Clinical Education • Careers in Medicine - http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/start.htm