NRMP: National Resident Matching Program, latest update on application and schedule

The 2010 Main Residency Match was the largest in NRMP history, encompassing more than 37,000 applicants, 4,100 graduate medical education programs, and 25,500 residency training positions.

THE NATIONAL Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a private, founded in 1952 to give uniform date of appointment to position in graduate medical education (GME).

The 2010 Main Residency Match was the largest in NRMP history, encompassing more than 37,000 applicants, 4,100 graduate medical education programs, and 25,500 residency training positions.

The NRMP announced a new match for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS) Fellowships for the 2011 appointment year. Applicants interested in FPRS programs should register for the FPRS Fellowship Match and not the OB-GYN Fellowship Match.

The NRMP welcomed Medical Genetics (MG) as a new fellowship match for the 2011 appointment year. The Medical Genetics Fellowship Match will open for registration on July 28, 2010. Concurrent with their match at the NRMP, Medical Genetics programs will begin using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Each year, the NRMP conducts a residency match that is designed to optimize the rank ordered choices of students and program directors. In the third week of March, the results of the match are announced.

NRMP is governed by its board of directors. Five medical education organizations, one program director organization, and three medical student organizations nominate candidates for election to the board.

Each year, approximately 16,000 U.S. medical school students participate in the residency match of NRMP. In addition, another 20,000 "independent" applicants compete for the approximately 25,000 available residency positions.

In 2009, the NRMP enrolled 4,299 programs in the Match, which altogether offered 25,185 positions. A total of 35,972 applicants participated in the Match. Of those, 15,638 were 2009 graduates of accredited U.S. medical schools and 21,334 were independent applicants.