GI Match FAQ
- Why did gastroenterology rejoin the Match?
- Who decided that gastroenterology would rejoin the Match?
- What’s the schedule?
- What will protect the Match from failing?
- The Match is customized for gastroenterology, providing the ability to prioritize research positions.
- The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) has adopted strict standards and enforcement procedures to maintain the integrity of the Match.
- Must programs commit all positions to the Match?
- What are the benefits of the Match?
- What is the application process?
- What if the number of gastroenterology fellowship applicants declines?
- What are the fellowship Match fees?
- How long is the term of the Match agreement?
- Where can I get more information?
Why did gastroenterology rejoin the Match?
After the gastroenterology Match formally closed in 2000, the gastroenterology training program application, interview, selection and notification process descended into chaos. Many applicants and training programs perceive the ad hoc process as unfair, and it is possible that the field has lost promising applicants because of their reluctance to decide very early in their residency whether or not to specialize in gastroenterology.
Who decided that gastroenterology would rejoin the Match?
As a group, the national gastroenterology societies (AGA, ACG, ASGE and AASLD) agreed that rejoining the Match would be best for the specialty. The decision to rejoin the Match came after many deliberate discussions on how the process can be made fairer and less chaotic for applicants and training programs. Through a task force convened by the AGA, complicated issues were addressed by academic leaders, including universal participation, compliance and fair play, challenges of basic research applicants, and potential fluctuations in the number of applicants. After critical input by gastroenterology division chiefs and training directors, the national gastroenterology societies concluded that a more streamlined application process that offered greater flexibility in matching research applicants would offer the best solution to the current system. The national gastroenterology societies are committed to promoting a workable system that will serve the needs of both trainees and programs.
What’s the schedule?
| July 1, 2012 | ERAS Post Office opens to fellowship applicants. They can research GI programs and coordinate application materials. See Section VI. Applicants can electronically apply (through ERAS) to programs of their choice. |
| July 15, 2012 | Programs can access ERAS to download applications submitted to them. |
| Aug. 1, 2012 | GI Match Opens for on-line registration by programs and applicants. |
| July – Nov. 2012 | Programs interview applicants. |
| Oct. 10, 2012 | The Match Rank Order List (ROL) opens for programs and applicants. |
| Nov. 7, 2012 | The Match Quota Deadline – the date on which programs must submit the final number of positions offered in each track to be matched. |
| Nov. 14, 2012 | The Match Rank Order List (ROL) Certifications due from programs and applicants. |
| Dec. 5, 2012 | Match Day! Match results for programs and applicants are posted to the NRMP website at 12 noon Eastern time. |
What will protect the Match from failing?
There are several theories about why the formal gastroenterology Match previously failed. Most agree that the lack of fair play and recruiting outside of the Match undermined the integrity of the program. When gastroenterology rejoins the Match, we can be assured that if all programs strictly adhere to the rules, we stand the greatest chance for success. Participating programs should not be overly concerned about programs that choose not to participate in the Match. A primary benefit of participating in the Match is that it will provide programs with the greatest access to the applicant pool and will match according to the program’s preferences. Move forward in good faith and give the Match an opportunity to work as designed to benefit both programs and applicants.
The Match is customized for gastroenterology, providing the ability to prioritize research positions.
Programs will be able to categorize their positions as “basic science research track,” “clinical investigator research track” “research track,” or “clinical track.” Applicants may apply for one or more tracks in any given program. Programs that offer more than one track will have the option to have the research positions filled first. If left unfilled, the research positions can revert to clinical track positions and be filled with clinical track applicants. In a similar fashion, applicants can apply for research positions, and if not matched, have the option to revert to a clinical track position. Programs that offer a single track will not go through this step-wise reversion process. Overall, how a program categorizes its position is between the program and the applicants. A multiple option match will offer greater flexibility for all programs and applicants.
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) has adopted strict standards and enforcement procedures to maintain the integrity of the Match.
To encourage participation in the proper fashion, NRMP has a well-defined policy to address violations of match agreements. The policy has been in place since 2001 and is explicitly outlined on NRMP’s Web site www.nrmp.org. Examples of sanctions for violators include notification of the violating institution’s Graduate Medical Education office and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine and could include barring a program from future Match participation.
Must programs commit all positions to the Match?
To increase the success of the Match, programs are encouraged to commit all of their positions. The Match requires that gastroenterology fellowships commit 75 percent of available positions program wide. For example, if 400 positions are available, NRMP will require a Match commitment of 300 positions. The new customization process described above is designed to minimize concerns about matching research positions.
What are the benefits of the Match?
The Match:
Encourages applicants and programs to consider all options before making commitments.
Mitigates premature offers and applicants reneging on accepted positions.
Encourages movement and a more dynamic training experience for applicants seeking fellowship positions outside of where they trained during their residency.
Creates an impartial venue for matching program and applicant preferences.
Offers the greatest access to the applicant
Establishes a uniform date for appointments to fellowships.
What is the application process?
Most programs participate in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), which transmits residency applications to program directors via the Internet. ERAS is a program offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges and provides applicants with a user-friendly interface to create and submit application material. ERAS transmits applications, letters of recommendation (LoRs), Medical Student Performance Evaluations (MSPEs), medical school transcripts, USMLE transcripts, COMLEX transcripts, and other supporting credentials from you and your designated dean's office to program directors using the Internet. ERAS consists of MyERAS (the Web site where you create your application), the Dean's Office Workstation (DWS), the Program Director's Workstation (PDWS), and the ERAS PostOffice. Applicants must register with both NRMP and ERAS to participate in the services of each.
What if the number of gastroenterology fellowship applicants declines?
Although a decline in applications is not immediately foreseeable, internal medicine and gastroenterology fellowship training programs are dynamic and will continue to undergo change as new and emerging technologies and teaching methods develop. The gastroenterology community must work to ensure that gastroenterology remains a subspecialty that is attractive to applicants. It is important to note that infectious diseases and other subspecialties maintain a successful fellowship Match despite a close-to-equal number of applicants for available positions.
What are the fellowship Match fees?
Programs:
- $175 institution fee
- $30 per program
- $30 per matched applicant
Applicants:
- $50 registration fee
- $15/partner couple fee
How long is the term of the Match agreement?
While institutions can enroll for one year, it is necessary that programs recognize the overall value of participating in the Match and its benefits for both programs and applicants. Programs will be asked to consider long-term participation or renewed participation in order to sustain a well functioning program.
Where can I get more information?
More information about the gastroenterology fellowship match will be featured on the society’s web sites soon. See web site information below. However, should you have any questions in the interim, please direct them to match@gastro.org or 301-272-1185
