Registering for the Match
The Match process is separate from the residency application process, which is run by Electronic Residency Application Service ERAS for most programs. There are a few residency matching services for M.D. graduates, depending on the specialty you are applying to:
- The National Residency Match Program (NRMP) administers the Main Residency Match.
- The San Francisco Match (SF Match) administers matching services for ophthalmology positions.
- The American Urology Association (AUA) administers the matching service for urological surgery positions.
- The Plastic Surgery Common Application (PSCA) administers the matching services for most plastic surgery positions.
- The ResidencyCAS will administer matching services for OB/Gyn programs as of the 2025 cycle.
- The Military Match uses the Joint Service Graduate Medical Education Selection Board for Army, Air Force, and Navy residency positions. For more information on the timeline of medical school and residency applications for those participating in the Military Match, please visit the Medicine and the Military webpage.
Registration for the Main Residency Match opens September 15th at the beginning of your fourth year through the NRMP. The SF, AUA, and Military matches take place prior to the Main Residency Match.
The Rank Order List
You should begin thinking about how you might want to rank programs relative to one another as you finish each interview. The Careers in Medicine website has some resources to help you keep track of your thoughts about each program.
You should begin entering your rank list on the NRMP site as soon as you have a rough idea of what your preferences are. You may update your list as many times as you like, so there is no reason not to enter the first draft of your list once you have been on most of your interviews. When you enter your list, be sure to rank programs in the order of your true preference. The matching algorithm is designed to favor students, so you will match at the program the farthest up your list that has space for you based on its own list. If you have a dream program that you think you’re not likely to match into, put it at the top of your list; doing so won’t hurt your chances of matching at the programs if you don’t end up at your first choice. For more information about how the Match algorithm works, please see the NRMP website.
Our strong recommendation is that you rank every program where you interviewed (and any that have told you they will rank you without an interview). The only exception to this advice is if you can honestly say that you would rather go unemployed than attend a given program. If you are feeling this way about any of the programs where you interviewed, please talk with someone in Student Affairs before deciding not to rank it.
Supplemental Lists
If you applied to a specialty that requires a separate PGY 1 year, you will need to create supplemental lists for PGY 1 programs. You may create as many supplemental lists as you like. Most students will create one supplemental list for each geographic area to which they applied. Do not short list yourself. All of the PGY 1 programs at which you interviewed should appear on every list. The only thing that will vary will be the order.
Match Week
Match week is the week that participants of the Main Residency Match find out which program they matched into. Every year, Match Week takes place during the third week of March and culminates on the Friday of Match Week. Keck participates in the medical school tradition of celebrating Match Day on campus, where applicants receive envelopes with their Match results inside. Medical residency applicants celebrate Match Day simultaneously every year with their colleagues, friends and family.
Match Lists
2024 Match
2023 Match
2022 Match
2021 Match
2020 Match
2019 Match
2018 Match