NRMP: How the Match Works

The NRMP matching algorithm uses the preferences expressed in the rank order lists submitted by both applicants and programs.  The process begins with an attempt to place an applicant into the program indicated as most preferred on the applicant’s list.

If the applicant cannot be matched to the first-choice program, an attempt is made to place the applicant into the second-choice program, and so on, until the applicant obtains a tentative match, or all the applicant's choices have been exhausted.

An applicant can be tentatively matched to a program by this process if the program also ranks the applicant on its rank order list, and either (A) the program has an unfilled position, in which case there is room in the program to make a tentative match between the applicant and program, or (B) the program does not have an unfilled position, but the applicant is preferred for the program than another applicant who is already tentatively matched to the program.  In Case B, the applicant who is the least preferred current match in the program is removed from the program to make room for a tentative match with the more preferred applicant..

Matches are "tentative" because an applicant who is matched to a program at one point in the matching process may be removed from the program at some later point during this computerized process to make room for an applicant more preferred by the program.

When an applicant is removed from a previously made tentative match, an attempt is made to re-match that applicant, starting from the top of the applicant’s list.  This process is carried out for all applicants, until each applicant has either been tentatively matched to the most preferred choice possible or all choices submitted by the applicant have been exhausted.  When all applicants have been considered, the match is complete and all tentative matches become final.

Explaining the Algorithim-  The NRMP website offers a short video and other resources to explain how the match works.  http://www.nrmp.org/matching-algorithm/ 

Participants in the NRMP ultimately complete, submit, and certify a Rank Order List (ROL) of the programs with which they would like to be paired, in order of preference (top-ranked program at the top of the list, second-best in the number two position, etc.).  These rank order lists must be completed and finalized by mid-February each year.

ROL for the NRMP Main Residency Match can be entered and finalized beginning in mid-January. The deadline to finalize is in mid-February.  Check NRMP for specific deadlines.

Military Match participants should have been provided due dates for ROL by the military and will receive their results in December.  Check with the military for specific deadlines.

AUA (Urology) Match participants must register by mid-December and preference lists submitted to the Urology Residency Match Program by early January.  Results are released in late-January .

Students who match with a urology program must determine if they must go through the NRMP Match for surgery training at that same institution. If appropriate, submit a ROL to the NRMP with code provided.  Check Urology match for specific deadlines.

San Francisco (Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery) Match participants ROL is due in early- January and result released in mid-January. https://www.sfmatch.org/MatchCalendar.aspx. Check SF Match for deadlines.

Any two applicants can couple.

Each partner of a couple must enroll individually in a Match and indicate in the R3^® system that they want to participate in that Match as a couple.

Each partner must have the same number of ranks.

Each program ranked by one partner must be paired with an active program or with an indication of “No Match” (NRMP Program Code = 999999999) by the other partner. “No Match” means that one partner is willing to be unmatched if the other partner matches to a position in the program designated at that rank.

If one partner withdraws from an NRMP Match, BOTH partners must uncouple before either can withdraw. The remaining partner should adjust his or her rank order list accordingly and must recertify it before it can be used in a Match.

Partners listed as a couple are treated by the matching algorithm solely as a couple. If they do not obtain a match as a couple, the algorithm will not process their lists separately to find a possible match for each individual.

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 the Main Residency Match^®, the algorithm considers only a couple's primary rank order lists when attempting to find a match and does NOT consider a couple's supplemental rank order as a unit.

If a partner’s rank is for an advanced position, a supplemental rank order list for that program also must be prepared by that partner unless the required first-year program already has been completed.

If both partners choose advanced positions, each must prepare separate supplemental rank order lists.

The coupling function is done only for the primary rank order lists of the two partners. If both partners match to advanced programs, their supplemental rank order lists are not treated as a unit; thus, supplemental rank order lists should be assigned to each rank on the basis of geography.

Each partner of a couple may rank up to 30 unique programs on their primary rank order lists. For the Main Residency Match, up to 30 unique programs can be ranked on all supplemental rank order lists combined before incurring additional charges.