please help

[playingfrombehind]

I was wondering if there is a distinction between an unmatched candidate (someone who applied to match and didn't match) vs. candidate who just didn't apply at all to the match and graduated last year.

Was a US-MG that is graduating this year but didn't apply to match (long-story).

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[NotAProgDirector]

It depends on what you mean.

As far as your application goes, it will look the same. I can't tell the difference between "tried to match and failed" and "didn't apply at all". Your ERAS app will simply show that you graduated from medical school, and then did something other than residency for the next year. Your NRMP history will simply show that you have not matched in a prior match.

You can make it clear in your application -- either in your personal statement, or perhaps your school will state it in your MSPE, or perhaps your letter writers will mention it.

If you're asking whether programs will consider it a "red flag", that depends upon why you have the delay.