Things to Know
- The list of preferred applicants you submit to the Match is called a Rank Order List.
- You must enter and certify a separate Rank Order List for each program you are offering in the Match by the Rank Order List deadline.
- If you have no acceptable applicants to rank for a program, you should certify a Rank Order List with no ranks.
- If your program no longer has positions to offer in 2025, you must withdraw the program from the Match.
Open Dates
Phase I
| NMS Match System Opens For Rankings | February 18, 2025 |
| Rank Order List Deadline | March 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time |
Phase II
| NMS Match System Opens for Rankings | March 31, 2025 |
| Rank Order List Deadline | April 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time |
Strategy
The matching algorithm is designed such that it cannot be gamed or manipulated.
The only strategy is to rank your choices in order of your true preferences, without considering how you expect to be ranked by any applicant.
Rank all applicants that would be acceptable to the program. Submitting a longer list of applicants may reduce your chances of being left with unfilled positions.
Do not rank any applicant that you consider unacceptable (i.e., you would not want to be matched to that applicant under any circumstances). You can only be matched to applicants that appear on your Rank Order List.
Certify Your Rank Order List
You must certify your Rank Order List in the NMS Match System for it to be used in the Match. Certifying a Rank Order List lets NMS know it is ready to be used in the Match.
You can make changes to a list even after it is certified, until the Rank Order List deadline. If you make changes after a list is certified, the list will become uncertified and you will have to certify the list again for it to be used in the Match.
Programs with Special Requirements
No Applicants to Rank
If your program has position(s) available that you would like to fill but you have no acceptable applicants to rank for the program, you should certify a Rank Order List with no ranks in the NMS Match System. This indicates to NMS that the program is still active but you have no ranks to submit.
Reversions
It is possible within the matching process to move unfilled positions from one Rank Order List to another, so that an attempt can be made to fill the positions from the second list. This is referred to as "reverting" unfilled positions from one list (the "Donor") to another list (the "Receiver").
Multiple Lists
Some programs need to recruit a mix of applicants with different characteristics, or have other unique recruiting requirements. Often, these special requirements can be satisfied by submitting Multiple Lists for a single program.
Guide to the NMS Match System
Consult the Rankings User Guide for detailed instructions for submitting your Rank Order List in the NMS Match System. Separate user guides are also available for submitting Reversions and Multiple Lists.
Rankings User Guide