How does DO match work?

[ThisIsYourLife]

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Well, I just found out that DOs got their matches on February 11th this year.. but MDs won't get theirs until March 15th. How does this work? I plan on applying to an MD residency, so would I still get matched on Feb 11th? Or would I have to wait. What if you apply to both? I am confused.

 

[MaximusD]

Well, I just found out that DOs got their matches on February 11th this year.. but MDs won't get theirs until March 15th. How does this work? I plan on applying to an MD residency, so would I still get matched on Feb 11th? Or would I have to wait. What if you apply to both? I am confused.

You can skip the DO match but at your own peril. If you apply in the DO match and match somewhere you MUST withdraw from the MD match.

Or you could be like me and apply through the military match 😛 That's even earlier in the year...!

 

[RySerr21]

Well, I just found out that DOs got their matches on February 11th this year.. but MDs won't get theirs until March 15th. How does this work? I plan on applying to an MD residency, so would I still get matched on Feb 11th? Or would I have to wait. What if you apply to both? I am confused.

you can apply to both DO and MD residencies and thats exactly what a lot of DOs do. Or you could apply to only DO, or you could apply to only MD. however, like youve just figured out, you hear about matches for DO before MD.

i was told by the doc i shadowed that if you apply and get matched to a DO residency, you have no choice but to go. that means that your name will automatically be dropped from the MD match.

for that very reason, he only applied to MD b/c his #1 was an MD residency and he didn't want to take the chance of getting matched to a DO residency.

someone else might be able to provide more insight into this situation.

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

Oooh ok. Thanks. Yeah, I don't (so far) plan on doing an AOA approved one.. I don't live in one of the states that need it, and don't plan on it either. I guess I have a couple years to think about it, though. There aren't any AOA residencies in the specialty I prefer (as of now) offered in the area I plan on doing my residency (but of course plans can change)

 

[group_theory]

The above posters are indeed correct. (for the sake of simplicity, i'll ignore the SF Match and military match)

Applications to residency is handled through ERAS

Then you apply for the match. The ACGME (MD) programs are through the NRMP. The AOA (DO) programs are through the NMS (national matching service). As a DO, you are allowed to apply to both matching service, ACGME only, or AOA only. Each matching service requires you to submit a rank list (although you may choose to submit no list)

The NMS match takes place in February. The NRMP match takes place in March. By established agreement, if you match via NMS into a DO program, you are automatically withdrawn from the NRMP (MD) match. If you apply for both DO and MD match, and go unmatched in the DO match, you are still in the running for the NRMP (MD) match.


Some websites of interest
AOA Matching Program (NMS)
http://www.natmatch.com/aoairp/index.htm

NRMP Matching (MD)
http://www.nrmp.org/

ERAS (application service)
http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/

 

[EEL08]

You're back!! How was it?

 

[ajk63]

The above posters are indeed correct. (for the sake of simplicity, i'll ignore the SF Match and military match)

Applications to residency is handled through ERAS

Then you apply for the match. The ACGME (MD) programs are through the NRMP. The AOA (DO) programs are through the NMS (national matching service). As a DO, you are allowed to apply to both matching service, ACGME only, or AOA only. Each matching service requires you to submit a rank list (although you may choose to submit no list)

The NMS match takes place in February. The NRMP match takes place in March. By established agreement, if you match via NMS into a DO program, you are automatically withdrawn from the NRMP (MD) match. If you apply for both DO and MD match, and go unmatched in the DO match, you are still in the running for the NRMP (MD) match.


Some websites of interest
AOA Matching Program (NMS)
http://www.natmatch.com/aoairp/index.htm

NRMP Matching (MD)
http://www.nrmp.org/

ERAS (application service)
http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/

Why would anyone choose not to submit a list of their ranked programs?😕

 

[stmclovin]

Another question:

I heard of some people going to residency without a match. How do residency directors decide whom they would take via match and whom without one?

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

you can apply to both DO and MD residencies and thats exactly what a lot of DOs do. Or you could apply to only DO, or you could apply to only MD. however, like youve just figured out, you hear about matches for DO before MD.

i was told by the doc i shadowed that if you apply and get matched to a DO residency, you have no choice but to go. that means that your name will automatically be dropped from the MD match.

for that very reason, he only applied to MD b/c his #1 was an MD residency and he didn't want to take the chance of getting matched to a DO residency.

someone else might be able to provide more insight into this situation.

Just for clarification, if you elect to apply for both the DO and MD residency match, and are you are DO matched, you will have to petition to be dropped from the MD match. It is not automatically done and technically, it is illegal to participate in both matches because they are both binding contracts. (By mouth from one of the UMiami residency directors).

 

[box29]

Just for clarification, if you elect to apply for both the DO and MD residency match, and are you are DO matched, you will have to petition to be dropped from the MD match. It is not automatically done and technically, it is illegal to participate in both matches because they are both binding contracts. (By mouth from one of the UMiami residency directors).

I participated in the DO match and was registered for the MD match. As fas as I know, I did not have to petition to be withdrawn from the NRMP match. The NMS specifically states:

http://www.natmatch.com/aoairp/
(under the heading "Withdrawing Matched Students from the NRMP")

"Students who are matched through the AOA Intern/Resident Registration Program and who also have registered to participate in the NRMP Main Match in the same year will have their AOA Match status communicated to the NRMP. The NRMP will automatically withdraw these matched students from that year's NRMP Main Match for concurrent programs..."

I'm not sure if everything was communicated effectively because I received an email from the NRMP reminding me that my ROL was not submitted so I just voluntarily withdrew myself. There was no petitioning needed.


Bringing you all up to date:

FYI...email from NRMP...verbatim, received on 03/02/08...

You have been WITHDRAWN from the 2008 Main Residency Match due to previously
matching though the AOA Match.

Please refer to Section 2.4.2 of the Terms and Conditions of the Match Participation
Agreement (<http://www.nrmp.org/res_match/policies/map_main.html#apps_withdraw_bynrmp>)
which states, "Applicants registered in both the American Osteopathic Association
("AOA") matching service and the Matching Program who match through the AOA match
to a concurrent year PGY-1 or PGY-2 position. Due to its earlier schedule, individuals
who match through the AOA will be automatically ineligible to match to concurrent
year NRMP positions."

Best wishes for success in your residency training program!

NRMP Staff

 

[spicedmanna]

Why would anyone choose not to submit a list of their ranked programs?😕

You may not want an osteopathic (AOA) residency. You see, if you match for an AOA residency, you are automatically dropped from the allopathic match.

 

[spicedmanna]

Another question:

I heard of some people going to residency without a match. How do residency directors decide whom they would take via match and whom without one?

Well, chances are these folks have rotated at the department/program in which they want to match and are well-liked by the program. While nothing is absolute, it seems more likely that a residency program is going prefer someone they have worked with and know they can work well with. I mean, if you were a program director, who would you choose, a paper on your desk, or the guy who busted his balls on your service and did a fantastic job working with everyone on the team?

 

[stmclovin]

Well, chances are these folks have rotated at the department/program in which they want to match and are well-liked by the program. While nothing is absolute, it seems more likely that a residency program is going prefer someone they have worked with and know they can work well with. I mean, if you were a program director, who would you choose, a paper on your desk, or the guy who busted his balls on your service and did a fantastic job working with everyone on the team?

So most of people apply for matches most often do their clerkships at the desired rotations? Do they usually do 4-week rotations in one place?

 

[scpod]

I would be reluctant to say "most" but many residents I've talked to have recommended a rotation through their department if you want to get ranked there. The "standard" rotation is four weeks.

 

[DOctorJay]

just to add to the discussion, as a DO it is possible to sign outside the (MD) match at an allopathic (MD) residency. I know some people who were able to do this successfully. It is not possible for MD students to do this however and it is also not possible for DOs to do this in the DO match.

 

[stmclovin]

just to add to the discussion, as a DO it is possible to sign outside the (MD) match at an allopathic (MD) residency. I know some people who were able to do this successfully. It is not possible for MD students to do this however and it is also not possible for DOs to do this in the DO match.

interesting. That's an interesting plus for DO's.

 

[RockfordWF]

Well, I just found out that DOs got their matches on February 11th this year.. but MDs won't get theirs until March 15th. How does this work? I plan on applying to an MD residency, so would I still get matched on Feb 11th? Or would I have to wait. What if you apply to both? I am confused.

Half of my DO class is waiting until March 20th.

 

[novado]

Some people do not submit a rank list so that they will be "unmatched" and can scramble for free. If you withdraw from the osteopathic match, you wasted all those fees (hundreds of dollars) in applying to the osteo programs in that you cannot scramble for free if you do not match MD or need to scramble for an internship year for certain specialties. It is a little known secret I wish someone would have told me.

 

[RockfordWF]

Some people do not submit a rank list so that they will be "unmatched" and can scramble for free. If you withdraw from the osteopathic match, you wasted all those fees (hundreds of dollars) in applying to the osteo programs in that you cannot scramble for free if you do not match MD or need to scramble for an internship year for certain specialties. It is a little known secret I wish someone would have told me.

Why would you scramble if you have interviewed at programs you can rank?

That is completely idiotic.