"Second Match" Proposal Announced!

For many years, AMSA has worked for a Second Match to minimize the chaos and confusion associated with the scramble. Currently, students who do not receive a position in the Match have a period in which they (usually with the assistance of their Dean's office) "scramble" to find an open position. We believe a better alternative would be a window in which these students can investigate and rank their choices from among open programs (and programs would rank unmatched applicants). AMSA formally suggested this several years ago. In 2003, after AMSA repeated our original request for evaluation of this issue, the NRMP began a study and now has a draft proposal for review. Robert Beran, Ph.D., outlines some of the history in a letter to AMSA below:

As you know, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is investigating the feasibility and desirability of conducting a two-phased Main Residency Match - commonly referred to as the "Second Match". This is the NRMP's second consideration of the second match concept - the first occurring during the period 1997-1999. Because the NRMP was in the midst of converting to the R3 web based system during the 1997-1999 time period, deliberations regarding a second match were tabled until experience with the new R3 system could be evaluated. Recently, AMSA recommended that the NRMP consider a second match and a committee of the Board was established to re-open its investigation into this concept....

Would you kindly make available to your membership the attached model so those who will be registering for the 2005 Main Match will have an opportunity to study the proposal in advance of registration?

AMSA's Board of Trustees discussed the second match proposal. In addition, from August 1 through October 15, 2004, AMSA collected responses on our website, all of which were shared with the NRMP.

• NRMP second match proposal
• AMSA response to the NRMP