Authored by Leland Jaffe DPM, FACFAS; Associate Dean and Professor, Published on January 27th, 2024.
Embarking on the path to a podiatric residency is a rewarding and challenging journey for podiatric medical students. Having navigated the podiatry match process successfully (in 2008), I am excited to share my insights and strategies to help fellow aspiring podiatrists. In this blog post, I will delve into the intricacies of the podiatry match, offering tips and guidance based on my personal experience and years of working with podiatric medical students.
1. Understand the Matching Process
After all interviews are completed, each applicant submits a Rank Order List on which the applicant lists their desired programs, in numerical order of the applicant’s preference (first choice, second choice, third choice, etc.). Similarly, each program submits a Rank Order List, on which it lists its desirable applicants, in order of preference. Each program also indicates the number of positions the program has available. The rankings are typically due mid-February, about 1 month before the Match Day in March.
The Challenges of Creating Your Rank List
This can be a challenging process, as oftentimes you will find yourself connecting with multiple residency programs, and narrowing down/organizing your list can be difficult. Once your rank list is completed, you will have to wait about 2-3 weeks until the match outcomes are released. On the Monday of match week, students and podiatric residencies will find out their match status, however, you will not know which program you matched with.
Match Phase II (MPII) Process of the Podiatry Residency Match
Once the main residency match status results are released and students find out IF they matched (not where), the match phase II (MP II) begins. Unmatched applicants will apply to unfilled programs for the next two days. Once the applications are submitted in the MP II process, the students will interview with unfilled programs, and the MP II rank-order lists will be due a few days later. After this period, unmatched applicants submit a new rank-order list of unfilled programs. and each residency program with unfilled positions also submits an MP II rank-order list, indicating a list of unmatched applicants the program wishes to match with, ranked in the program’s order of preference.
The matching algorithm is run again with the new MP II rank order lists to see if a match can be completed. The day before Match Day, applicants in the MP II receive the MP II status, and full match results are related to programs and colleges (usually on a Thursday). Finally, the residency match day (usually in the third week of March) concludes this process in which full match results are released to applications, and the list of remaining unfilled positions is published for those students who don’t match the MP II process and need to enter the scramble.
2. Let’s Talk About The Match Algorithm
The National Matching Service (NMS) algorithm starts with an attempt to place an applicant into the program that is most preferred on the applicants’ rank order list. If the applicant cannot be matched to their first choice program, an attempt is then made by the software to place the applicant into their second choice program, and so on, until the applicant obtains a tentative match, or all the applicant’s choices have been exhausted.
Residency candidates can be tentatively matched to a program in this algorithm if the program also ranks the applicant on its Rank Order List, and either:
- The program has an unfilled position available for the applicant. In this case, there are residency positions in the program to make a tentative match between the applicant and the program.
- The program does not have an unfilled position, but the applicant is more preferred by the program to another applicant who is currently tentatively matched to the program. In this case, 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 by the program.
What Does a Tentative Match Mean?
Matches are referred to as tentative because an applicant who is matched to a program at one point in the process may later be removed from the program to allow for a higher-ranked candidate by the residency program, as described in the second scenario listed above. When an applicant is removed from a previous tentative match, an attempt is then made to re-match this applicant with another program on their rank list, starting from the top of this applicant’s list. During this process, the applicants and programs WILL NOT be made aware of tentative matches that are created by the algorithm. Applicants and programs will only be informed of the final match that they receive once the processing is complete (usually on the third Friday of March).
This national residency matching program is carried out for all applicants until each applicant has either been tentatively matched to their top program remaining, or all choices submitted by the applicant have been exhausted. When all applicants have been considered, the matching algorithm is complete, and tentative matches become final.
Let’s Summarize the Match Algorithm Process
In summary, each applicant’s Rank Order List is traversed from “top to bottom“, from most preferred program to least preferred, until the first program is reached at which the applicant can be tentatively matched, or until the applicant’s list of choices is exhausted. Each program accepts applicants “upwards” on its Rank Order List, continually removing less preferred matches in favor of more preferred applicants until the program is matched to the most preferred applicants who wish to be matched to the program. (Resource for this explanation was taken from the National Matching Service (NMS) site).
3. Research Residency Programs Thoroughly:
Podiatry residency programs vary in their focus and strengths. Research programs thoroughly, considering factors such as faculty expertise, facilities, and the program’s overall reputation (check out the guest blog post from Podiatrist2Be). Create a list of various programs that align with your career goals, and consider geographic preferences as well. Some specifics to consider are:
a. How many available residency positions are there per year?
Do you want to be in a larger or a smaller residency program? Some programs have one resident per year which requires a person who works well independently, while others have 5+ residents per year – which can be a much more collaborative experience.
b. Do you want to be in a rural or urban environment- which geographic area is a good fit for you?
c. Do you want to work in a VA hospital in residency?
d. Does the residency program have an emphasis on any specific niche within podiatry (wound care, sports medicine, traumatology, pediatrics, deformity correction – to name a few)
e. What are the graduating residents doing post-residency (fellowship positions, private practice, orthopedic group, hospital-employed)
f. Program Reputation: Is the program well-regarded in the podiatric community? What is the program’s track record in terms of producing successful and well-prepared podiatric physicians and surgeons?
e. Training Facilities: What kind of facilities and resources does the residency program have? Does the residency have dissection labs or provide other opportunities to practice surgical skills?
f. Are there opportunities to work in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers?
g. Faculty and Mentors: Who are the faculty members, and what are their areas of expertise? Is there a mentorship program in place to guide residents through their training?
h. Surgical Experience: How much surgical experience is offered during the residency? Are the residents getting ample hands-on experience?
i. Research Opportunities: Is there a focus on research within the program? Are residents encouraged or required to participate in research projects?
j. Didactic Education: What is the structure of the didactic education component of the program? Are there regular seminars, grand rounds, and conferences to enhance learning?
k. Work-Life Balance: What is the typical workload and schedule for residents? Is there a good balance between work and personal life?
l. Board Pass Rates: What is the residency program’s track record in terms of in-service board first-time pass rate? How well-prepared do residents feel for the board exams upon completion of the program?
m. Networking Opportunities: Does the program provide opportunities for networking with other healthcare professionals? Are there alumni who have successful careers and can offer guidance?
n. Program Culture: What is the overall culture of the residency program? Do the residents and faculty work well together as a team?
o. Career Placement Assistance: Does the program offer assistance with job placement after completion? What is the success rate of residents in finding employment after graduation?
p. Personal Goals: How does the program align with your long-term career goals? Does the program offer the specialization or skills you are interested in?
q. Is the residency program credentialed by the Council of Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) as a PMSR (Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency with a credential in RRA (reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery)?
Remember that each individual’s priorities may vary, so tailor these questions to your specific needs and goals. Additionally, consider talking to current residents or recent graduates of the programs you’re interested in to gain more insights.
Podiatry Residency Match Process – Conclusion
Understanding the matching algorithm for the podiatry match is crucial for both podiatric medical students and residency programs alike. The matching algorithm serves as the linchpin in efficiently pairing graduates with residency programs that align with their skills, preferences, and career goals. For podiatrists, a specialized understanding of this algorithm ensures they have a comprehensive grasp of the complex and competitive nature of the matching process. It enables them to strategically navigate the selection of programs, optimizing their chances of securing a residency position that aligns with their clinical interests and professional aspirations.
Comment below if you have any questions or other insights to provide about the matching process!
