Demystifying the Match: A WAUSM Step by Step Guide to Residency Placement

For every future physician, there’s one milestone that stands out as both hugely meaningful and somewhat mysterious: Match Day. It’s the moment when years of study, clinical experience, exams, and self discovery culminate in a single envelope (or email): the one that tells you where you’ll train as a resident physician.

At Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM), our charter class is getting ready to celebrate an incredible first – our inaugural Match Day. As we approach this milestone, we want to give prospective students a clear, inside look at what the match really is, why it matters, and how to navigate it successfully. Over the coming weeks, we’ll break down the process, the data, and the strategic, hands‑on support WAUSM provides every step of the way so you can see exactly how we prepare our students to achieve exceptional match outcomes.

First Up: What Is the Match, and How Does It Work?

The Match, run by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), uses a computerized algorithm to pair applicants with residency programs based on mutual preference.

According to the NRMP, 52,498 applicants registered for the 2025 Match, the highest on record, with 47,208 active applicants submitting rank lists, over 2,300 more than the prior year.

These applicants competed for 43,237 training positions, an all-time high.

Step 1: Applying to Residency (Late Summer – Fall)

Students submit applications through ERAS in September. From there, programs begin offering interviews, and students start shaping their strategy.

Step 2: Interviews (Fall – Winter)

Interviews may be virtual, in‑person, or hybrid. Students use this time to assess fit, gather insights, and prepare to build a rank list. WAUSM prepares students for this phase long before interview season arrives.

Step 3: Ranking Programs (January – February)

After interviews, both applicants and programs rank each other.

The NRMP’s “Match by the Numbers” overview shows that matched applicants typically rank more programs than unmatched ones, a reminder of the importance of having a thoughtful, well-informed strategy. This is where WAUSM’s career advising becomes crucial, which we’ll take a deep dive into in a coming blog.

Step 4: Match Week (March)

Match Week is where the suspense peaks. The NRMP algorithm processes all ranked preferences and matches applicants into residency positions.

A few key insights from the most recent results from the NRMP and the American Medical Association:

• In 2025, 37,667 of the 47,208 active applicants obtained first- year positions, reflecting a 79.8% Match Rate.
• When including both Match placements and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) results, the overall placement rate climbs to 84.2%, highlighting the importance of Match Week’s supplemental process.
• Across programs, 99.4% of residency positions were filled after the Match and SOAP, consistent with previous years, even with 1,700 more total positions than the year before.

This data reinforces how robust and efficient the Match algorithm remains, even as the number of applicants and available positions continues to climb.

Rite of Passage

The Match is both a rite of passage and a strategic, data-driven process. Understanding each step helps demystify what can feel like an overwhelming moment in the medical training journey.

Whether you’re just beginning your exploration of medical school or planning your own residency pathway, know this: WAUSM understands that the Match is designed to support your goals, align your values with the right training environment, and ultimately place you on the path to becoming the physician you’re meant to be.

Next up, we’ll cover the ways WAUSM prepares our students for the Match: beyond submitting strong applications, WAUSM helps students build personalized residency strategies aligned with their goals, needs, and preferences to maximize their chances of success. And for our WAUSM students, that next chapter begins soon – we can’t wait to share the results of our first‑ever Match this March!