Looking ahead to the 2010 NRMP Match

By: Julie McCoy February 26th, 2009

As residency program directors and coordinators submit their Match rank lists this week, the last thing you probably want to do is start thinking about next year’s recruitment season. However, now is the best time to sit down and regroup while the experiences are still fresh in your mind. Ask yourself the following:

What went smoothly on interview day and during selection meetings?
What were the hang ups or inefficiencies during interview day and selection meetings?
What feedback did interviewing faculty and residents, and candidates give you regarding the program and interview process?
After you receive the Match list, what can you do next year to ensure your program recruits the cream of the crop? Revamp selection criteria?

Take a look at the NRMP Program Director Survey results, published in December 2008. The survey polls program directors of all specialties on what factors they use when deciding which candidates to interview. Data is reported for all programs as well as broken out by clinical specialty. It gives you a clue what other programs emphasize and consider when interviewing applicants.

What plans do you have for reviewing your recruitment and selection processes? Who leads the charge-program coordinator, director, or someone else?