The AMA Road to Residency Guide

Supporting you today. Protecting your future.

Access the Guide

For medical students, the Match process can be filled with twists and turns, and it’s natural to feel a little daunted, even overwhelmed.

With that in mind, the American Medical Association has created an online course to help you learn the process of selecting, applying to and being admitted to residency programs. Learn more in the AMA Road to Residency Guide.

1. Getting started

   1. Identifying the steps to Match and breaking them into phases with their own tasks and timelines can help make the process feel more manageable.

2. Understanding accreditation

   1. Before you apply to programs, it’s helpful to be familiar with the governing body that accredits graduate medical education programs.

3. Research and preparation

   1. Choosing which residency programs to apply to can be stressful. Once you’ve picked your specialty, consider what's important to you: Where do you want to live? Where is your support system? In addition to your personal preferences, you'll also need to consider your letters of recommendation and test scores.

4. Applications and interviews

   1. You've chosen which programs you're interested in and are ready to apply. Review the eligibility requirements for participating in the Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®), the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®), or The Match® and for U.S. state medical licensure.

5. The Match

   1. After months of research, applications, signaling, interviews and ranking, applicants are matched into residency programs according to the preferences of both the applicants and the programs. Get acquainted with SOAP®, the post-Match Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program®—even if you think you won’t need it.

Next step: Getting started on the road to residency

The AMA Road to Residency Guide overview

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