March 5, 2024
EventORMatch Results Now Available
Results of ORMatch for positions beginning in 2024 are now available to participating applicants, programs, and schools in the NMS Match System.
Match result notification emails have been sent to all applicants and programs that submitted Rank Order Lists, as well as to Directors of Residencies at schools and colleges of optometry. If you have not received your Match result email, log in to the NMS Match System and access your result online.
Programs should send letters of confirmation of the results to matched applicants within 10 working days of the release of the ORMatch results. Applicants must return the letters in accordance with the program's instructions within 30 days of the release of the ORMatch results.
Unfilled programs and unmatched applicants can participate in the Post-Match Process to fill available positions. A list of programs with available positions is provided to unmatched applicants in the NMS Match System. A list of applicants who submitted an application or certified a Rank Order List but were not matched, or who withdrew but indicated they are still seeking a position, is provided to programs and schools in the NMS Match System.
Unmatched applicants can send applications to programs with available positions using the NMS Match System. Programs and applicants are free to contact each other, share information, and conduct interviews. However, programs may not make offers for Post-Match positions, and applicants may not accept offers from programs, prior to 12:00 p.m. noon Eastern Time on March 7, 2024.
The list of programs with available positions will be posted publicly on this website beginning March 12, 2024. Individuals who did not register for ORMatch must send applications to programs directly (e.g., via email), not through the NMS Match System.
February 12, 2024
EventThe Rank Order List Deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 27
Applicant and program Rank Order Lists for the ORMatch must be entered and certified in the NMS Match System by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Applicants who will not be submitting any rankings should withdraw from the Match. Applicants who withdraw are still permitted to participate in the Post-Match Process for positions that remain available after the Match.
Programs that have no acceptable applicants to rank or wish to withdraw a program from the Match because they no longer have positions available must also indicate this through the NMS Match System by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
February 12, 2024
EventNMS Match System Now Open for Rankings
The NMS Match System is now available for applicants and programs to submit rankings for the Match.
The Rank Order List deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Rank Order Lists must be entered and certified in the NMS Match System by the deadline to be used in the Match.
We strongly recommend that applicants and programs enter and certify Rank Order Lists well before the deadline date to avoid potential problems near the deadline.
Applicants and programs can import the programs where they submitted applications and the applicants who submitted applications to their Rank Order Lists. Instructions for importing rankings from the application service are available on the Rankings User Guide for Applicants and Rankings User Guide for Programs.
February 12, 2024
Best PracticesRanking Strategy and Best Practices
We want to remind you of several best practices that you should use when submitting a Rank Order List for the Match:
Rank All Acceptable Choices
You may rank as many choices as you wish. By submitting a longer list of choices, you may reduce the likelihood of being left without a match. Adding more choices to your list does not jeopardize the chance of matching with your most preferred choices.
Rank Your Choices According To Your True Preference
Don't consider how highly an applicant or program might rank you when ordering the choices on your Rank Order List. Using any strategy other than ranking according to your true preference may lead to a worse result for you.
Do Not Rank Any Choice That Is Unacceptable
Applicants can only be matched with programs that are on their Rank Order List. Programs can only be matched with applicants that are on their Rank Order List. Do not rank any applicant or program that you would not want to match with under any circumstances.
January 17, 2024
EventThe NBEO Cutoff Date is January 31
January 31 is the cutoff date for the ORMatch to obtain applicants' verified score information from the NBEO. ORMatch will send applicants' verified NBEO score information to all the programs they have applied to by January 31.
Any application submitted after this date will not have verified NBEO score information sent to the program by ORMatch. Official score information for any application submitted after this date must be provided by the applicant directly to the program.
We strongly encourage applicants who are still considering sending ORMatch applications to send them by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 31, 2024.
November 6, 2023
EventApplication Tips for Applicants
Here are some tips for preparing and submitting your applications:
1. Add Programs to Your List of Pending Applications
As soon as you find a program of interest, add it to your list of pending applications in the NMS Match System. The Program Coordinator will be notified of your interest and will have access to your contact information. Some Program Coordinators may contact you with more information about their program, others may not. You can remove a pending application at any time if you are no longer interested in applying.
2. Plan a Margin of Time to Address Potential Difficulties
We strongly recommend that you allocate more than enough time for each step of the application process (e.g., writing letters of intent, obtaining transcripts, requesting references, etc.) and submit each application well before the application deadline date. This allows time to address any unexpected issues in each step of the application process.
3. Customize Your Application Content
You can prepare and upload multiple letters of intent or CVs to the NMS Match System, and send different versions to different residency sites. Be sure to give each document a unique and descriptive name so that you know which document you are including when you assemble each application.
4. Contact Your Reference Writers
You may request as many different letters of reference as you wish, and you can attach different letters to each application. Each application must include 3 letters of reference from different individuals.
5. Consult the Website for More Instructions
The ORMatch website has helpful information about the application process and a User Guide for the ORMatch Application Service.
October 4, 2023
EventApplicants Registration and Applications Now Open for the 2024 ORMatch
ORMatch is now open for applicants to register and begin preparing applications for programs. Match registration information and instructions are available on the Applicants Registration page.
The List of Participating Programs shows the programs participating in the 2024 ORMatch. This list is updated regularly, whenever there are updates to information about programs participating in the Match.
Information about preparing and submitting applications is available on the Applications page. Each residency sets its own application requirements and deadline date. You should check with each residency as soon as possible regarding its application requirements.
October 4, 2023
EventNMS Match System Open for Schools
The NMS Match System opens for schools today, October 4, 2023.
The Director of Residency of each optometry school is emailed instructions and initial login credentials for accessing the NMS Match System. If your school does not receive the email by October 5, please contact NMS for assistance.