• The matching algorithm attempts to place you in the most preferred program possible, so be sure to rank programs in order of YOUR TRUE PREFERENCE and not where you think you will match. Go for your “reach” program.
• Rank only those programs where you are able and would be happy to train. Putting a program on your ROL creates a binding commitment if a match occurs, so review carefully each program’s eligibility requirements and the contract you will be expected to sign.  You should receive that information from programs during the application/interview process.
• Do not rank programs where you did not interview. Programs do not rank candidates they have not interviewed, and no match will occur.
• Be realistic about your competitiveness and the competitiveness of your preferred specialty (review Charting Outcomes in the Match). Consider creating a ROL that includes a mix of competitive and less competitive specialties and programs, and be sure to include at least one “safety” program.
• Do not wait until the last minute to enter your ROL in the R3^® system. The servers may be overloaded and working slowly.
• Do not make last minute changes to your ROL. Most such changes are not well thought out, and applicants frequently regret them.

Applicants participating in the Main Residency Match^® can submit a primary rank order list (ROL) with a combination of categorical, preliminary, and advanced programs. Those who rank advanced (PGY-2 level) programs on their primary ROLs also can submit supplemental ROLs of preliminary programs that are linked to one or more advanced programs on the primary ROL, offering applicants the ability to obtain a “full course of training” by simultaneously securing PGY-1 and PGY-2 positions.

Applicants can create different supplemental ROLs, and each supplemental ROL can be attached to any number of advanced PGY-2 programs on the primary ROL. Supplemental ROLs often are based on geographic location.

• Creating Supplemental Rank Order Lists video
• Creating a Supplemental Rank Order List support guide

Important Considerations

• The matching algorithm will attempt to place an applicant in a preliminary position on a supplemental ROL ONLY if the applicant first matches to the linked advanced program on the primary ROL.
• It is possible for an applicant in the Main Residency Match to match to an advanced program on the primary ROL but not to a preliminary program on the linked supplemental ROL. In that case, the applicant still is committed to the advanced position and must seek a qualifying first-year position during the Match Week Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program^® (SOAP^®) or after SOAP concludes. If a preliminary position is not obtained prior to July 1 in the year of the Match, the applicant is responsible for submitting to NRMP a request for a waiver of the match commitment to the advanced program.

Joint Advanced/Preliminary Program Arrangements

Some advanced programs will enter into a Joint Advanced/Preliminary (A/P) program arrangement. Program directors will inform applicants during the interview process if a program has a Joint A/P arrangement. In a Joint A/P, a preliminary program is “restricted” because it is linked to a specific advanced program. Only applicants who rank the advanced program can rank the joined preliminary program, and only applicants who match to the advanced program can match to the preliminary program.

If you choose to rank the preliminary program linked in a joint arrangement, the associated advanced program must have a unique supplemental rank order list of preliminary programs assigned and joint preliminary program must be added to a newly created supplemental ROL in the R3 system. Other preliminary programs can be added to the supplemental list; however, that list can only be linked to the associated advanced program.

Applicants who participate in a Specialties Matching Service^® Fellowship Match create only primary ROLs.

Applicants are permitted up to 20 unique programs on their primary ROL and up to 20 programs on all supplemental ROLs combined before extra rank fees are applied. No more than 300 ranks can be placed on any ROL. If a rank order list is certified with more than 20 ranks, extra fees will be due at the time of certification. Extra rank fees are NOT REFUNDABLE if a shorter list is certified at a later time. Current fees

Participating in the Match as a couple allows any two applicants to link their ROLs, usually for purposes of obtaining positions in the same geographic location. Couples in the Match

When a ROL  is complete, it must be certified to be included when the matching algorithm is processed. The “Certify List” button in the R3 system prompts applicants to enter their unique R3 system password to confirm certification. By certifying a ROL, applicants are entering a binding commitment to train at any program with which they match (View Match Participation Agreement).

Applicants can confirm that the list is certified in two ways:

• The “Applicant Status” field in the R3 system will change from “Ranking” to “Certified”
• A confirmation email will be sent to the primary email address on file in the R3 system.

Changing and Re-Certifying a ROL

Changes can be made to a ROL after it has been certified; however, if a certified ROL is changed in any way, the new version MUST be re-certified to be used in the Match. The R3 system does NOT retain previous versions of a ROL, regardless of whether it was certified.

NRMP administers the Main Residency Match for most residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME^®), but some ACGME-accredited core specialties participate in matching programs that conclude before the Main Residency Match. Applicants who obtain a position in an early Match must understand how that match may affect their participation in the Main Residency Match and their rank order list. Participating in Early Matches