INTERN/RESIDENT REGISTRATION PROGRAM

APPLICANT AGREEMENT

I plan to apply for an osteopathic OGME-1 position for the 2011-2012 training year. In order to register for and participate in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Intern/Resident Registration Program (the "Match"), I agree:

1.    To abide by the Schedule of Dates of the Match as shown on the Match web site (www.natmatch.com/aoairp), which is incorporated by reference in and is an integral part of this Agreement.

2.    To provide complete and accurate information to the Match, as well as to all institutions and programs to which I apply.

3.    To pay to National Matching Services Inc. (NMS) a non-refundable, non-transferrable, irrevocable applicant registration fee of $60.00 U.S. to register for the Match for positions beginning in 2011. This fee will be forwarded by NMS to the AOA on my behalf.

4.    Not to make any formal arrangements or sign agreements or contracts with any participating institution prior to the release of the Match results. Any such agreements or contracts are non-binding and have no effect on the Match results. If I accept a position at a program that is not participating in the Match, or decide not to participate in the Match for any other reason, then I will submit a withdrawal from the Match and will NOT submit a Rank Order List of choice(s) for the Match.

5.    To accept appointment to the program with which I am matched based on the choices submitted on my Rank Order List. I understand that the Match result constitutes a binding obligation between me and the institution, and I cannot avoid accepting appointment to the program with which I have been matched without a written release obtained by mutual consent from the institution concerned; also, that another osteopathic program cannot offer me a position unless I have this release.

6.    To sign a contract with the institution with which I am matched for OGME-1 training within thirty (30) days after it is presented to me by the institution. If I do not sign such contract within the specified 30 days, the institution may withdraw its offer, and I will not be permitted to take any other AOA-approved internship or residency for a 12-month period.

I understand that I am free to make personal contact with any osteopathic program in which I am interested, to apply to as many of these programs as I wish, and to rank them according to my judgement.

I understand that prior to the Rank Order List deadline, I and a program may express our interest in each other. While voluntary communication of expected rankings is permitted, statements implying or requesting a commitment are prohibited. I must not request from any program information regarding how the program intends to rank me or any other applicant. Similarly a program must not request from me information regarding how I intend to rank any program.

For the purposes of the Match, my Rank Order List will be the sole determinant of my order of preference for the programs to which I have applied. Similarly, for the purposes of the Match, the Rank Order List submitted by each program will be the sole determinant of the program's order of preference for the applicants to the program.

I understand that my appointment to the institution with which I am matched may be contingent on my satisfying predoctoral graduation requirements and other eligibility requirements for appointment specified by the matched institution.

I understand and agree that information concerning my participation in the Match, including my Match result, may be provided to me electronically.

I understand that the result I obtain in the Match (whether I participate in the Match or not, whether I am matched or not, and with which program I have been matched) will be reported either by mail or electronically to the AOA, osteopathic medical schools, OPTI’s, postdoctoral training programs, and other parties deemed necessary by the AOA.

I understand that if I also register to participate in the NRMP Main Match, and I match through the AOA Intern/Resident Registration Program (IRRP), the fact that I have been matched will be communicated to the NRMP and I will be withdrawn automatically from the NRMP Main Match for concurrent PGY-1 programs. In addition, if I match through the IRRP with a residency program, I will also be withdrawn from the NRMP Main Match for concurrent PGY-2 programs.

I understand that if I violate any of the terms of this Agreement, such as refusing to accept a position at a program with which I have been matched, I may be precluded by the AOA from taking any AOA-approved training program for one year, and from AOA approval of any postdoctoral training during that year.