Match Day is coming, and the hype is real
What many medical students consider the most important and thrilling day of their education – even rivaling their graduation day – is coming very soon.
On March 16, UT Southwestern will join medical schools around the United States to celebrate Match Day, the annual event when fourth-year medical students learn where they matched with residency training positions. Celebrations among colleagues, faculty, friends, and family often surround the event.
“On Match Day, students can look to the future and envision their career paths,” said Dr. Angela Mihalic, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, and Professor of Pediatrics. “So while graduation is a ceremonial celebration of your past accomplishments, Match Day is about the successes to come.”
The annual matching process, which originated in 1952, begins when applicants and programs across the United States register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applications are prepared during the summer and submitted in September. Programs review applications and invite selected candidates for interviews throughout the fall and winter. Once interviews are completed, applicants rank their favorite programs and submit the list to the NRMP; residency programs also rank applicants. The entire process is blinded so that neither applicants nor programs see each other’s rankings.
The NRMP then uses an algorithm to match applicants and programs. On the Monday prior to Match Day, applicants get notice from the NRMP confirming if (but not where) they matched. Then, students wait for their letters.
This year, roughly 240 UT Southwestern students are participating in the matching program. Top specialty areas include internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, emergency medicine, Ob/Gyn, psychiatry, anesthesiology, and orthopedics.
In recent years, medical students have gathered in common areas to reveal their matches to themselves and their loved ones. At UT Southwestern, that place is the gymnasium at the Bryan Williams, M.D. Student Center. Large banners will adorn the walls designating areas for students in certain specialties. The digital game clock will be set to a score of 20-18 (the students’ graduation year) in the fourth quarter (symbolizing the students’ fourth year of medical school). The clock will count down to zero, signaling to students that it’s time to open their envelopes. Then students will excitedly share where they’ll be completing their training.
“The Match Day ceremony is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Dr. Mihalic. “The air is electric here as students are celebrating with their families, friends, our staff, faculty, and so many more who have played a part in getting them to this point. I can’t wait to see them take on the world and truly make a difference.”
Leading up to Match Day, follow #countdowntomatch across social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more hype. To follow along on Match Day, check out #UTSWMatch and #Match2018. Visit the NRMP Match Week page for more ways to follow the national event.
Look for comprehensive coverage of Match Day available here at My UTSW on March 16. We’ll publish the full list of matches and share photos and video of the reveals!