AAFP - Strolling Through The Match 2024-25

STROLLING
THROUGH
THE MATCH
2024-2025
2 |
GENERAL RESIDENCY APPLICATION TIMELINE AND CHECKLIST
April (End of Third Year) – March (Fourth Year)
Suggested Timeline APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR
(check with your dean’s office for specific recommendations)
Research residencies
Finalize elective rotations
strolling through the match

Arrange MSPE interview (depending on your school’s schedule)
Contact your designated dean’s office for key ERAS and
NRMP timelines
Contact your designated dean’s office to receive your ERAS
token and applicant instructions
Register with MyERAS (opens first week in June for all applicants)
Complete profile on MyERAS application
Register with NRMP (opens September 15)
Apply to programs (as early as possible but begin by the end of Sept.)
MSPE (dean’s letter) released to programs in MyERAS ✔

(late September)
Schedule program interviews
Interview at programs
2024-2025
Choose and submit a rank list

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SOAP process opens Monday of Match Week ✔

STROLLING
THE MATCH
Match Day for Main Residency Match—third Friday in March ✔

(dates vary for fellowship matches)
ACRONYM LIST
ERAS® = Electronic Residency Application Service
MSPE = Medical Student Performance Evaluation
NRMP® = National Resident Matching Program®
SOAP® = Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program®
USMLE® = United States Medical Licensing Examination®
MED24011664
COMPLEX = Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination
MED 24011664
Emerging Information
This guidebook was written specifically to help medical students explore and
pursue family medicine residency training. The Match process has been altered
in recent years and continues to evolve. Several new processes were recently
introduced, making it particularly important to pay attention to emerging
information throughout the year.
The advice and guidance captured in this guidebook extends well beyond
just the mechanics of the Match process and is meant to help any interested
candidate create their path forward.
In addition to reading Strolling Through the Match, visit www.aafp.org/match

to access additional information about virtual and hybrid interviews, updated
Match timelines, thorough guidance on preference signals for family medicine,
new tools and more as the Match season unfolds.
Acknowledgments
The first version of this resource was developed in 1979 by the students of the Family Practice
Student Association at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, with support from its department of
family medicine. Strolling Through the Match and associated materials are now revised annually by
the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). They have been reviewed for consistency and
applicability to the career-planning objectives of medical students interested in family medicine. The
AAFP also recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their contributions:
Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) Thornton E. Bryan, MD

National Resident Matching Program (NRMP )® ®
Joel J. Heidelbaugh, MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Gretchen Irwin, MD
Shadyside Family Medicine Residency Program, Robert McDonald, MD
Pennsylvania
Aaron Michelfelder, MD
National Board of Osteopathic Medical
Examiners (NBOME) Kathleen Rowland, MD
Association of Family Medicine Residency Franklin E. Williams, MEd
Directors (AFMRD)
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)
The AAFP is very pleased to provide you with this copy of Strolling Through the Match, a guidebook
to family medicine residency selection. This guidebook is available online at www.aafp.org/match.
To order free print copies, go to www.aafp.org/match (shipping and handling charges apply).
You can also access useful information for medical students and residents at www.aafp.org/med-ed.
Copyright 2024 by the American Academy of Family Physicians, Medical Education Division
the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 3

Table of Contents
section 1 section 4
The Match: What It Is and How It Works Selecting and Applying to Residency Programs
What Is the Match?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 What to Know About Family Medicine Residencies. . . . 44
What Is the NRMP?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Family Medicine Residency Requirements. . . . . . . . . . 44
How Does the Match Work?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
All In Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 STROLLING
Residency Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Parallel Path Applying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
What Are My Chances of Matching?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Navigating the Match. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
What Is the SOAP?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Resources and Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
THROUGH
Resources for Every Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Conferences and Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
section 2
Choosing a Medical Specialty
THE MATCH
Residency Directories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
What is ERAS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Program Signals, Past Experiences and
Is Family Medicine Right for You? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2024-2025
Geographic Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Primary Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Determining the Number of Programs
The Primary Care Residency Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . 16 to Which You Should Apply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Residency Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Resources and Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Family Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Future Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Combined Residency Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Fellowships for Family Medicine Graduates. . . . . . . . . 21 section 5
Interviewing at Residency Programs
Career Options in Family Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Three Key Interview Objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Primary Care and Family Medicine in the Future. . . . 22
Virtual Interview Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Interview Scheduling Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Key Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Preparing for Interviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
section 3 Budgeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Gaining Experience, Preparing Your Residency Interview Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Application/Credentials and Building a On Interview Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Curriculum Vitae (CV) Prohibited Interview Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Your Residency Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Residency Interview Checklists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Opportunities for Professional Development. . . . . . . . 25
Ranking Residency Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs). . . . . . . . . . . 29
Leadership Programs and Scholarships. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Sample Residency Interview Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . 75
Holistic Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Suggested Interview Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Checklists: Building Experiences Year by Year. . . . . . . 31
section 6
Licensing Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Applying as an International Medical Graduate
Your CV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Who Is an International Medical Graduate?. . . . . . . . . 82
CVs in ERAS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical
Personal Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Graduates (ECFMG). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Letters of Recommendation (LoR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Requirements for ECFMG Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). . . 42 Applying to U.S. Residency Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Resources and and Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Charting Outcomes in the Match. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Key Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Resources and Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
4 | strolling through the match

section 7
General Resources
Online Residency Directories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Other Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Journals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Organizations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
E-guides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Figure 1............... Breakdown of SOAP Participants in 2023

Figure 2............... Primary Care Specialty by Type of Care
Figure 3............... Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Considered in Deciding
Who to Interview (by Percent)
Figure 4............... Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Considered in Deciding
Who to Interview (by Mean Importance)
Figure 5............... Curriculum Vitae Tips
Figure 6............... Ratio of Program Signals to Number of Applicants
FIgure 7............... Family Medicine in the NRMP Match, 2002-2023
Table 1................. Licensing Requirements

Table 2................. CV Elements
Table 3................. Sample Modified Decision Table
Table 4................. Sample Staggered Interview Questions
About the American Academy of Family Physicians

Founded in 1947, the American Academy of Family Physicians represents 134,600 physicians and medical students nationwide,
and it is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Family physicians conduct approximately one in five of the total medical office visits in the United States per year—more than
any other specialty. Family physicians provide comprehensive, evidence-based and cost-effective care dedicated to improving
the health of patients, families and communities. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing and personal patient-physician
relationship where the family physician serves as the hub of each patient’s integrated care team. More Americans depend on
family physicians than on any other medical specialty.
To learn more about the AAFP and family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. Follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/aafp)
and like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/familymed/). For information about health care, health conditions and wellness,
visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.
MED 24011664

Strolling Through the Match
INTRODUCTION
STROLLING
We developed Strolling Through the Match to help you make clear
decisions about your medical career, explore family medicine early
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during medical school, strengthen your application and candidacy for
residency and learn more about the process of pursuing postgraduate
training in family medicine.
THE MATCH
This guidebook emphasizes a practical approach and encourages you
2024-2025
to gather and summarize information on family medicine careers and
residencies, establish timelines and organize checklists and reference
materials.
This guidebook is not a publication of the National Resident Matching

Program® (NRMP®) or the Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC) Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®), nor
was it developed under their auspices. The material is intended to
complement the information about residency selection provided by the
NRMP and the AAMC to medical students.
The format of Strolling Through the Match is designed to let you

supplement the information provided with locally derived materials.
You may want to add or subtract from its contents to suit your
specific needs.
Tell Us What You Think

Please take a minute to share your feedback on the
usefulness of this guidebook at www.aafp.org/strollingeval.

SECTION 1: THE MATCH: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS
What Is the Match? STEP 1

Applicants register with the NRMP after
The Match is the process through which
submitting an ERAS application. Refer to
medical students are selected for
the NRMP website for detailed steps on
postgraduate medical training programs.
registration at www.nrmp.org/residency-
The Match, or National Resident Matching
applicants.
Program® (NRMP®), occurs annually on
the third Friday in March, and matches
STEP 2
medical students to first- and second-
year Accreditation Council for Graduate Applicants enter their NRMP IDs into ERAS.
Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited This is the ID that programs use to rank
residency programs. To secure a residency applicants.
position at a U.S. family medicine
residency program accredited by the STEP 3
ACGME, you will most likely participate in Applicants and program directors submit
the National Resident Matching Program® their rank order lists (ROLs) to the NRMP.
(NRMP®) Main Residency Match®. This starts the matching process.
STEP 4
What Is the NRMP? Between rank list submission day and
While the Electronic Residency Match Day, the NRMP:
Application Service (ERAS®) is your • Assesses all the data it has received
home base for applying to most—if not from applicants and program directors.
all—programs, the NRMP is the service
• Verifies the integrity of the data and
that will match you with a residency.
applicants’ credentials/eligibility.
The Military Match occurs on a different
timeline than the NRMP Match and has its • Runs an algorithm that results in
own matching service. matches between applicants and
residency programs.
The NRMP is a matching service with
uniform processes, meaning that steps
of the process are completed in the The entire NRMP process is
same fashion and at the same time by all conducted online using the
applicants and participating programs. Registration, Ranking, and
Results® (R3®) system. Via
the online portal, applicants
If you’re lucky, you might just feel it in your gut. For can pay registration fees,
people who are more cerebral, the right program is enter ROLs and receive
one in which you liked the other residents (believe Match communications.
me, that will become important when the going gets
tough), and where you think you will get skills you
want as an independent practicing physician.
— alexa mieses, md, mph, durham, nc

THE MATCH: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS, continued
How Does the Match Work?

The NRMP uses an applicant-proposing algorithm for the Match. The NRMP matching
algorithm uses the preferences expressed in the ROLs submitted by applicants and programs
to place individuals into residency positions. View a video primer about this process at
www.nrmp.org/matching-algorithm/.
BASIC RULES OF THE MATCH STROLLING

RULE #1: With few exceptions, most residency-seeking medical students and graduates should
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enroll in the Match and are bound to abide by its terms.
The Match is nearly all-inclusive because it lists almost all PGY-1 positions in ACGME-accredited
THEmustMATCH
training programs. Candidates for residency positions in some subspecialty programs will
participate in other matches. However, these candidates also participate in the NRMP to
secure a preliminary position for each of those specialties.
2024-2025
Programs sponsored by some branches of
the Uniformed Services do not participate in It’s not a violation
the NRMP.
TIP for an applicant
or a program to
RULE #2: Applicants and residency programs are not volunteer information about
allowed to solicit information about how the other will
how one plans to rank the
rank them.
other. However, any verbal or
Soliciting ranking information is a violation of NRMP written indication of ranking is
rules. If a program asks you for this information, you not binding, and the ROL takes
are under no obligation to provide it, nor should you. precedence. Don’t rely on
these remarks from a program
RULE #3: An applicant who certifies a ROL enters
when creating your ROL.
into a binding commitment to accept the position if a
match occurs.
Failure to honor that commitment violates the Match Participation Agreement signed during
registration and triggers an investigation by the NRMP. If the violation is confirmed:
• The applicant may be barred from programs in Match-participating institutions for one year.
• The applicant may be marked as a violator and/or barred from participating in the Match for
one to three years or permanently.
• The NRMP will notify the applicant’s medical school, the American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS) and other interested parties.
All In Policy
Under the NRMP’s All In Policy, any residency program that participates in the Match must
register and attempt to fill all its positions through the Match or another national matching
program. This policy applies to positions for which the NRMP offers matching services, including
PGY-1, PGY-2, and—in rare cases outside of family medicine—PGY-3 positions.

The policy does not apply to fellowship programs or the following exceptions:
• Rural Scholars Programs
• Family Medicine Accelerated Programs
• Innovative Programs
• Military appointees to civilian programs
• Post-Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®) positions
• Off-cycle appointments
Find more details about the All In Policy and the exceptions to the policy on the NRMP
website at www.nrmp.org/all-in-policy/main-residency-match/.
What Are My Chances of Matching?

Statistically, match rates for each type of applicant have remained steady or even improved in
recent years. However, popular advice tells students that their chances of matching are in flux
as medical schools and class sizes grow without proportional residency position growth.
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?

The 2023 NRMP Main Residency Match had 37,425 PGY-1 residency positions available and
42,952 active applicants (applicants who submitted a ROL). Considering all specialties, there
were 0.87 positions available per applicant.
Family medicine is the second-largest specialty participating in the Match and has a
lower applicant-to-position ratio than some specialties that only offer limited training
opportunities. In the 2023 Match, almost half of the year-over-year growth in positions was
attributable to growth in family medicine, internal medicine and psychiatry.
In the 2023 Match, 4,530 applicants matched in family medicine or a family medicine combined
program, with 5,107 positions offered. For categorical family medicine, 86.3% of U.S. allopathic
seniors and 77.4% of osteopathic seniors matched.
By the Numbers
In the 2023 NRMP Match:
• 93.7% of U.S. allopathic seniors matched.
• 9
1.6% of osteopathic seniors and graduates matched.
• 6
7.6% of U.S. citizen international medical students and 59.4% of foreign
international medical students matched.
To view all the results for the family medicine specialty from the 2023 NRMP
Match, visit www.aafp.org/students-residents/residency-program-directors/
national-resident-matching-program-results.html.

This is the most important thing to know about Match Day: You have the inestimable responsibility of self-
determination both before and after the third Friday of March. Where you match won’t change that.
Second, there is magic in the Match. Things just seem to work out, largely because the people who want to go
into family medicine are wonderful, and the people who teach family medicine are wonderful. Wherever you end
STROLLING
up, you will learn to be an excellent doctor. This is the truth of family medicine residencies.
Third, after the Match and before you start your residency, take as much time off as possible. It is unlikely
that you will have more than two weeks off at a time for the next several years, so make the most of it. See
something you’ve never seen before.
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— stewart decker, md, mph, klamath falls, wa
THE MATCH
What Is the SOAP? 2024-2025
The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®) is a program run by the
NRMP that takes place during Match week to match any unfilled residency positions with
unmatched applicants. On the Monday of Match week, applicants find out if—but not where—
they are matched. Unmatched applicants who meet eligibility requirements can participate
in the SOAP to try to obtain an unfilled residency position. Figure 1 shows a breakdown of
participants in the 2023 SOAP.
figure 1. Breakdown of SOAP Participants in 2023
Source: National Resident Matching Program Results and Data: 2022 Main Residency Match

Keep in Mind
There are many reasons a program will participate in SOAP. A program may
not fill if its ROL is at odds with the applicants who ranked it, or its list is too
short. There will likely be multiple programs you would find desirable that
end up with unfilled positions after the Main Residency Match. There will
also be newer programs that received ACGME accreditation too late in the
recruitment cycle to interview enough students.
Not everyone will match to a position. Your dean’s office is prepared to

counsel students who don’t match. Applicants who don’t match and programs
that don’t fill may be eligible to participate in the SOAP.
SOAP Facts
• To be eligible for the SOAP, you must be:
–R egistered with the NRMP for the Main Residency Match
– E ligible to enter graduate medical education (GME) programs on July 1 in the year of the
Match
–P artially matched (not relevant for family medicine) or fully unmatched on Monday of
Match week
• There are multiple rounds of offers in the SOAP from Wednesday through Thursday of
Match week. Matches made in the SOAP are announced on Friday, along with those of
applicants who matched in the Main Residency Match.
• The SOAP requires the exclusive use of ERAS by both applicants and programs to express
preferences and make/receive offers for unfilled positions. Through ERAS, SOAP applicants
can access a list of unfilled programs that have positions for which they are eligible.
Programs can access applications through ERAS and make offers. During the SOAP,
contact outside of ERAS between programs and applicants constitutes a Match violation.
• Positions fill quickly in the SOAP, and accepting an offer creates a binding commitment.
If you participate in the SOAP, be honest, thorough and critical in assessing programs and
their offers before accepting one.
More detailed information on the SOAP is available at

www.nrmp.org/match-week-soap-applicants/.

Don't Skip Straight to the SOAP

Each year, a number of applicants register through ERAS for the Match with the intention of only
participating in the SOAP process rather than going through the entire process to interview at
programs and submit a ROL. It’s important to note that the SOAP should not be used as a primary
strategy for matching in family medicine.
STROLLING
The application and interview processes are highly personalized and work to the advantage of both
the applicant and the program in determining an appropriate fit for postgraduate medical training.
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Students who rely solely on the SOAP instead of progressing through the standardized application
process will be at a significant disadvantage in making a mutually suitable match. Also, the NRMP
recommends against this practice, recognizing it as an ineffective strategy. Statistically, the
THE MATCH
chances of matching to a program are very low for those who only participate in the SOAP.
2024-2025
2023 SOAP BY THE NUMBERS
• 2,588 PGY-1 positions offered (of which more than one-third were PGY-1 only, meaning
transitional year or preliminary positions)
• 581 family medicine positions offered
• 2,390 PGY-1 positions filled
• 521 family medicine positions filled
After the 2023 SOAP, 92.3% of all PGY-1 positions offered in the Match were filled.
AFTER YOU MATCH

After you match, you’ll be ready to take some time away from the rigorous studying that got
you to your successful match. Residency will be here before you know it! In the meantime,
focus on your personal well-being and taking care of practical items on your to-do list, like
finding housing if you’re moving, making decisions about your loans and getting oriented to
your new program. Your medical school and the residency program you’ve matched into should
be able to help you answer many of the questions you’ll have as graduation day nears.
The AAFP has resources to help you make sound money management decisions as you start
residency and early in your career, including a webcast on student loan repayment made in
partnership with the AAMC. These resources are free online at https://www.aafp.org/students-
residents/medical-students/begin-your-medical-education/debt-management/residency.html.

POST-MATCH ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

CELEBRATE! Save money. Start looking for housing (renting or buying). Spend time with family and friends before
you get ready for a new chapter in life.
Send thank you cards with the update about where you matched to your [letter of recommendation] writers. Go
celebrate with friends and family. Enjoy your life!
— anna askari, md, msbs, palm desert, ca
Travel and celebrate sooner [rather] than later since most programs start work in early June and the onboarding
paperwork, modules and tasks are surprisingly burdensome.
— katie hartl, md, yucson, az
First thing is to connect with current residents of the program and try to schedule a visit to get to know
the area and find housing options. These can fill up fast and it helps to start early on this. Also, if you are
moving out of state, understanding the licensing requirements (driver’s license, etc.) early on during this
trip will make life much easier so that you are not scrambling at the last minute to finish these tasks while
busy with orientation activities.
— romero santiago, md, mph, sacramento, ca
resources and review

• NRMP video guide to the Match algorithm
www.nrmp.org/matching-algorithm/
• Main Residency Match All in Policy

www.nrmp.org/all-in-policy/main-residency-match/
• Family medicine results from the 2023 NRMP Match

www.aafp.org/students-residents/residency-program-directors/national-resident-matching-program-results.html
• Results and data from the 2023 Main Residency Match

https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-Main-Match-Results-and-Data-Book-FINAL.pdf
• NRMP SOAP information

https://www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/soap/
• Finances in residency and early career

www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students/begin-your-medical-education/debt-management/residency.html
• NRMP Match Week and SOAP webinars for residency programs and applicants
www.nrmp.org/about/news/2024/03/nrmp-and-eras-host-joint-match-week-and-soap-webinars-for-residency-
applicants-and-programs/?utm_source=search_results_page&utm_campaign=nrmp_search_page&utm_
term=match%20week%20soap%20webinar

SECTION 2: CHOOSING A MEDICAL SPECIALTY
Before the algorithm matches you for The best way to know whether family
residency, you’ll want to decide how you medicine is right for you is to try it out and
want to practice medicine. There’s no get involved as early in your training as
algorithm for that process. But it matters possible. Take as many opportunities as you
much more than your Match results.
STROLLING
can to shadow family physicians or rotate
with them in practice in various settings and
The journey to choosing a medical specialty ask about their careers. Questions you might
is different for every student. It may not
seem like there’s ample time or exposure
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want to ask include the following:
• What are your favorite and least favorite
to all specialties to determine which one
is your best fit. However, experiences THE MATCH
parts of your job?
• What are you excited about for the future
before and during medical school and the of family medicine?
extracurricular activities you enjoy can help 2024-2025
• What are you concerned about?
guide your decision.
• What drew you to the specialty?
Before you choose a specialty, ask yourself: • What makes a good day in family medicine
• What made you want to become a great?
physician? • How did your training prepare you for what
• Who influenced your decision to apply to you have done in your career?
medical school, and what did you admire • How did you decide to do a fellowship?
most about them? • How did you choose your job?
• Do you see problems in the world and feel
empowered to help? Ultimately, you will want to look inward to
• What aspects of medicine do you most determine whether family medicine is right
enjoy? What aspects do you least enjoy? for you. What do you look forward to as a
physician? When you applied to medical
school, what were your goals? How did they
Is Family Medicine change or develop further? By looking at
yourself honestly and seeking out the best
Right for You? available information, you can trust that
Medical students are drawn to primary your decision to pursue primary care will be
care for many reasons. Those who choose a good one.
family medicine often say it has a lot to
do with patient relationships, desirable
lifestyles and personal interest in
population health and preventive medicine.
They are typically the people who enjoy
every rotation and find the idea of the
undifferentiated patient intriguing. Some
students can’t imagine not knowing what
happens next for their patients, so they
seek out family medicine because of its
emphasis on continuity of care.
mahuya barua, la county harbor, ucla fmrp

CHOOSING A MEDICAL SPECIALTY, continued
Explore More at National Conference

Events and conferences, such as the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents
and Medical Students, are valuable sources of information that can help you make a career
choice. At National Conference, you can talk to program directors, faculty and residents from
hundreds of family medicine residencies and start figuring out where you want to end up
after medical school. In addition, you can choose from dozens of topics specifically tailored
to introduce you to the breadth of family medicine in workshops, special interest group
discussions, clinical workshops and procedural skills courses.
Since family medicine is such an all-encompassing specialty, attending National Conference

in your first and second years of medical training can help set you up for success during
your clinical education. Attending National Conference during medical school will help you
broaden your experiences and find a residency program. Visit www.aafp.org/nc to learn more
about the conference and apply for a scholarship to attend.
Primary Care Primary care physicians::
Most patients’ initial interaction with the • Are specialists in family medicine, general
health care system is primary care, so it’s internal medicine or general pediatrics.
a great place to begin exploring careers • Must be specifically trained to provide
in medicine. Early in your medical school comprehensive primary care services
training, learn primary care's role in the health through residency or fellowship training in
care system and its impact on health and acute and chronic care settings.
health equity. Seek information from trusted • Provide definitive care to the
organizations, faculty, community physicians, undifferentiated patient at the point
residents and students about career of first contact.
opportunities in primary care. The more you • Serve most of the patient’s medical and
learn and engage, the more you’ll discover the health care needs, not limited by problem
questions that are essential to ask as you plan origin, organ system or diagnosis.
for your residency match. • Take continuing responsibility for providing
the patient’s comprehensive care, which
may include chronic, preventive and acute
care in both inpatient and outpatient
Every specialty has its moments of excitement, settings.
but if you can’t envision yourself doing the work • Devote the majority of their practice to
for 30 or 40 years, it’s probably not the right providing primary care services to a defined
choice for you. The medicine itself is not the
population of patients.
difficult part. The most critical decision is what
excites you every single day. • Leverage the entire health care system to
— deb clements, md, faafp, chicago, il benefit and advocate for the patient.

Which specialty will allow you to be By contrast, pediatricians typically treat patients
the strongest possible advocate for up to 18-21 years, while internal medicine
positive change? physicians only care for adults. Med-peds
Primary care physicians work in (combined internal medicine and pediatrics)
communities throughout the world. In the physicians care for children and adults, most
United States, more than half of all office often in inpatient settings.
visits to physicians are to primary care
physicians, and studies of the health care STROLLING
The Primary Care
system over several decades have shown
that most medical care occurs in the
outpatient setting.
THROUGH
Residency Experience
Internal medicine, pediatrics, and med-peds
Because they serve as their patients’ THE MATCH
are viable fields for primary care training.
However, even at primary care-focused
usual point-of-first contact, primary care
internal medicine or pediatrics residencies,
physicians must be able to build trust, 2024-2025
less than half of participating residents may
understand all factors that influence
plan to pursue primary care in practice. Only
health and apply comprehensive medical
about 50% of pediatricians practice general
expertise to improve their patients’
pediatrics, and less than 20% of internal
health and well-being. Primary care
medicine physicians stay in general internal
medicine constantly challenges and
medicine. By contrast, more than 90% of family
energizes physicians who are comfortable
physicians practice primary care.
with complexity and thrive on the patient
relationships at the heart of medicine.
Four C’s of Primary Care

There are many similarities
First-Contact between family physicians,
internists, pediatricians, and
Continuous
internal medicine-pediatrics
Comprehensive
(med-peds) physicians
Coordinated who practice primary care.
The central differences lie
Family physicians’ cradle-to-grave scope in the patient populations
of training allows them to engage in a and practice settings their
wide range of care for various patient respective residency programs
train them to care for.
populations, regardless of age, gender or
health need. Family physicians are the
only primary care physicians to practice
maternity care and obstetrics.
Evidence of the health-promoting influence of primary care has been accumulating ever since researchers
have been able to distinguish primary care from other aspects of the health services delivery system.
This evidence shows that primary care helps prevent illness and death, regardless of whether the care is
characterized by supply of primary care physicians, a relationship with a source of primary care or the
receipt of important features of primary care. The evidence also shows that primary care (in contrast to
specialty care) is associated with a more equitable distribution of health in populations.
— starfield b, shi l, macinko j. contribution of primary care to health
systems and health. milbank q. 2005;83(3):457-502.

How long do primary care residencies The Accreditation Council for Graduate
typically last? Medical Education (ACGME) sets the
•
Family medicine: Three years; several four- requirements for medical residencies in
year options also available the U.S.
• Internal medicine: Three years
Review requirements for each specialty at
• Pediatrics: Three years www.acgme.org/specialties/.
•
Med-peds: Four years; results in eligibility for
board certification in both internal medicine These requirements are meant to promote
and pediatrics innovations at individual programs while
providing some boundaries and guardrails
for how programs are administrated. The
Residency requirements capture the training you can
Requirements be assured you will receive in each specialty.
To ensure you’ll get the comprehensive Programs do a lot more beyond these
training you want, it may be helpful to requirements—they are just the “ground
review residency requirements for the floor” of what must occur.
primary care specialties. Residency
programs in these specialties vary in the
way they train residents.
New Residency Requirements for Family Medicine

The accreditation requirements for family medicine residencies recently went
through a major revision process, with new requirements for programs starting July
1, 2023. Changes to the requirements are meant to give residents more elective
time and allow for more individualized learning plans. The new requirements:
• I nclude panel metrics in place of individual patient encounter requirements for
residents, meaning family medicine residents will manage a panel of patients in
a team-based approach.
• Emphasize and measure continuity of care.
• H
ave fewer prescriptive requirements in some clinical areas to allow programs
to focus on competency-based education and evaluation.
• I nclude two tiers for pregnancy care so that every family medicine resident will
continue to be trained in this care, and a program offering the higher tier will
best be able to prepare a resident for independent practice in comprehensive
pregnancy care, including hospital privileges and credentialing.
You can read more about the AAFP’s response to the new requirements at
www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/2023-residency-
requirements.html.
The new requirements can be found on the ACGME’s website at

www.acgme.org/Specialties/Family-Medicine/Program-Requirements-and-
FAQs-and-Applications.

Family medicine residency programs • Population health
require specific experiences in the • Subspecialty curriculum
following: • Diagnostic imaging (e.g., point-of-care
• Continuity of patient care (caring for a ultrasound)
diverse panel of patients over time) • Health systems management
• Hospital medicine for children and
STROLLING
• Six months of elective experiences
adults
• Emergency medicine Other primary care residencies do not
• Care of infants, children and adolescents
across the acuity spectrum (ambulatory THROUGH
require continuity care and focus more on
inpatient training and less on ambulatory
THE MATCH
to acute inpatient care) (outpatient) care than family medicine.
• Pregnancy-related care, including
deliveries Pediatric residencies focus on the care
• Gynecology of2024-2025
children and do not include women’s
health or obstetrics.
• Geriatrics
Internal medicine residencies focus on
Family medicine residency programs also
the care of adults but do not include
require experience in the following:
obstetrics.
• Newborn care
• Care of surgical patients Med-peds residencies include the care
• Musculoskeletal care of both children and adults but do not
• Dermatology include obstetrics.
• Behavioral health
• Substance use
• Procedures
figure 2. Primary Care Specialty by Type of Care
Highest number
Comprehensive
Sees Options for of graduates
See adults women's health +
infants, kids specialization practicing
procedures
primary care
Family Medicine ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Pediatrics ✔ ✔
Internal Medicine ✔ ✔
Med-Peds ✔ ✔ ✔

Osteopathic Principles and Practice/Osteopathic

Manipulative Treatment Training in Residency
The ACGME’s Osteopathic Principles Committee offers a designation called
“osteopathic recognition” for programs that seek a formal acknowledgment
of their commitment to teaching and assessing Osteopathic Principles and
Practice (OPP) at the graduate medical education level. Residents in these
programs will have specific training requirements, including OPP in didactic
lectures, scholarly activities, training from osteopathic physician faculty and
the integration of OPP into patient care. If you’re seeking graduate medical
training in OPP/Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), consider
osteopathic recognition as one sign that a program incorporates this training.
Some programs with osteopathic recognition will also designate a number
of their positions to be filled specifically with applicants who will pursue
osteopathic training. The training can be available to residents who are
graduates of allopathic or osteopathic medical schools.
Not all programs that incorporate OPP/OMT training choose to pursue

osteopathic recognition, so the recognition is only one indicator of a program’s
commitment to osteopathic education. You can also use the following
questions to help assess a residency program’s osteopathic education and
opportunities:
• What access do residents have to faculty who teach OPP?
• What opportunities does the program have for OMT procedures?
• Does the program bill for OMT (i.e., does it have a service line)?
Family Medicine
Family medicine is the second-largest medical specialty. As such, it is a leading specialty
choice for medical students. Factors that influence this choice include the trust families
have in their family physicians and the high number of family physicians practicing primary
care. Exciting clinical rotations in family medicine and incredible mentors can make it easy
to recognize that you have found your calling.
Family medicine residency training:
•
Emphasizes exposure to hands-on interventions: Most family physicians provide routine
outpatient procedures in their offices. Based on the needs of their patient population,
family physicians can build on their residency training to add procedures to their repertoire
throughout their careers.
• Is based on continuity clinic experience: Residents follow their patients over the long term.
• Requires training in diagnosis and treatment of common mental illnesses: Many students
who are drawn to family medicine feel called to provide holistic care, so they find this
mental health component essential to their future identity.

•
Provides unique training in obstetrics,
gynecology and surgery: Performing
deliveries and caring for a panel of As a third year, I realized I truly liked every
obstetric patients are requirements rotation, but I often saw patients admitted for
for graduation from a family medicine conditions that could have been prevented
residency. Family physicians can also if they had a primary care physician. The
holistic, full-scope care delivered on family
STROLLING
undergo training in surgical obstetrics.
medicine rotation demonstrated to me a
strong future for primary care, and I wanted
FAMILY PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE
THROUGH
to be a part of it.
A commitment to caring for all patients — tiffany ho, md, mph
requires culturally competent physicians.
According to the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ), family
THE MATCH
have reported that primary care
medicine is the specialty that best specialties, especially family medicine,
reflects the geographic distribution of 2024-2025
have a more racially and ethnically diverse
the U.S. population. In addition, family workforce than many other medical
physicians practice in communities specialties. According to HRSA, more than
of all sizes, from inner-city and urban 34% of family physicians are a racial or
communities to rural areas and even ethnic minority.
frontier settings. About 84% of AAFP
family physician members practice in
a metropolitan area, with more than
Combined Residency
15% practicing in rural communities. Programs
These figures more closely match the As you start researching family medicine
distribution of the U.S. population than residency programs, you’ll find that many
any other medical specialty. Family offer specialized tracks that run alongside
medicine’s broad scope and ability to the three years of core training, with a few
take on any patient allow communities adding on an extra fourth year of training.
of all sizes to support a family physician. These tracks—such as women’s health,
The National Center for Health Workforce health policy and global health—allow
Analysis, under the U.S. Health Resources trainees to gain extra exposure to specific
and Services Administration (HRSA), topics, but they differ from combined (or
projects the shortage of family physicians dual-degree) residency programs.
will be exacerbated by 2036, with only
73% of nonmetro residents having access Combined programs overlap training in two
to a family physician and only 78% of areas, leading to eligibility for dual-board
metropolitan area residents. This reflects certification. These programs typically
the demand for family medicine across take four to five years to complete.
the United States in all settings and
the endless opportunities for anyone Of the 48 specialties in the 2023 NRMP
considering a family medicine career. Match, 16 were combined residency
programs. Internal medicine-pediatrics
The Association of American Medical might be one of the most well-known
Colleges (AAMC), the Robert Graham combined program types, but internal
Center for Policy Studies in Family medicine, pediatrics and family medicine
Medicine and Primary Care and others have several combined training options.

• Hospice and Palliative Medicine

The three combined programs available • Sports Medicine
in family medicine are:
1) Family Medicine–Emergency Fellowships that lead to ABFM Certificate
Medicine of Added Qualifications (CAQs) include:
2) Family Medicine–Preventive Medicine • Adolescent Medicine
3) Family Medicine–Psychiatry • Geriatric Medicine
• Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Though there are many types of combined • Pain Medicine
training programs, the vast majority of • Sleep Medicine
first-year residency positions are offered • Sports Medicine
in a single-specialty program, and most
• Hospital Medicine (Designation
physicians train in a single specialty.
of Focused Practice)
Fellowships for Other fellowships include:

Family Medicine • Behavioral Medicine
Graduates • Brain Injury Medicine
• Community Medicine
Upon graduation from a family medicine
residency program, your broad skill set • Emergency Medicine
and scope of practice will allow you to • Faculty Development
do many things. Fellowship training is • Health Policy
not required, and most family physicians • Human Immunodeficiency
pursue areas of interest in their practice Virus/AIDS Care
without completing a fellowship. • Integrative Medicine
• International/Global Health
However, family medicine opens doors to
numerous fellowship opportunities if you’d • Maternity/Obstetrics
like to gain more in-depth training in a • Preventive Medicine
particular area. • Research
• Rural Medicine
Family physicians can choose from a wide • Urgent Care
variety of fellowships, some of which are
accredited by the ACGME or can lead • Women’s Health
to a Certificate of Added Qualification
(CAQ) from the American Board of Family THE AAFP OFFERS A FAMILY
Medicine (ABFM). MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP
DIRECTORY AVAILABLE AT
Fellowships accredited by the WWW.AAFP.ORG/FELLOWSHIPS
ACGME include: THAT IS SEARCHABLE BY
• Addiction Medicine FELLOWSHIP TYPE, LOCATION,
• Clinical Informatics COMMUNITY SETTING AND
• Geriatric Medicine PROGRAM DURATION.

Family Medicine Facts
Each year, the AAFP surveys its members to capture the scope of their diverse
careers in family medicine. Summaries of survey data are available online at
www.aafp.org/about/dive-into-family-medicine/family-medicine-facts.html.
What wi ll your career options look like if

you pursue additional training? Primary
STROLLING
have a high level of control over where they
practice and what lifestyle they lead.
care already presents many exciting,
diverse paths. Family medicine has the THROUGH
Family physicians work in a variety
most extensive scope of practice without of settings that offer many practice
additional training, so completing a
fellowship can complement full-spectrum
THE MATCH
opportunities. These include:
• Office practices
practice, uniquely allowing family • 2024-2025
Hospitals
physicians to incorporate primary care
• Nursing homes
into the care of a specialized community
of patients. Many family physicians with • Community health centers
subspecialized training choose to split • Urgent care centers
their practice time between their focused • Emergency departments
area of interest and primary care. As a • University-based health centers
family physician, it’s also possible to direct
• Rural and urban areas
full attention to your subspecialty, just as
you can in internal medicine, med-peds • International settings
and pediatrics. • Health care system leadership
• Government settings
Career Options in • Corporate and business settings
• Locum tenens (temporary placements)
Family Medicine
For more than a decade, family physicians
have been the most recruited of all
Primary Care and
medical specialists and subspecialists. Family Medicine in
Physicians who have primary care training
are needed now more than ever. In fact,
the Future
if you enter family medicine residency Family medicine is well-positioned within
training, you’ll likely receive job offers the health care system as value-based
as soon as you start residency. There payment models replace outdated and
are even opportunities to commit to costly systems like fee-for-service. Practice
helping underserved communities before models that support patient-centered,
you leave medical school in return for team-based care continue to evolve, so you
scholarships or loan repayment. will have many practice settings to choose
from. In addition, specialties with broad
It doesn’t take a large population to keep a scopes of practice are likely to receive
family physician busy, especially compared elevated focus in reform efforts because
with a subspecialist, so family physicians they are strongly associated with better,
more cost-effective care.

In searching for large-scale solutions to improve population health and cost-effectiveness,

policymakers are turning to family physicians. As the largest single medical specialty, family
medicine has a voice that will continue to be influential. Having longitudinal relationships
with a broad spectrum of patients allows family physicians to clearly see the most pressing
issues communities face and credibly advocate for solutions.

• ACGME program requirements and FAQs for family medicine
www.acgme.org/specialties/family-medicine/overview
• A
merican Family Physician (AFP) podcast episodes feature interviews with family physicians
www.aafp.org/afppodcast
• ACGME new requirements for family medicine residency (beginning 2023)

www.acgme.org/Specialties/Family-Medicine/Program-Requirements-and-FAQs-and-Applications
• Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Entrustable Professional Activities for Family Physicians
www.stfm.org/teachingresources/resources/epascompetenciesmilestones/overview/
• AAFP Medical Student Resources

www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students.html
• AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students

www.aafp.org/nc
•
AAFP Member Facts About Family Medicine
www.aafp.org/about/dive-into-family-medicine/family-medicine-facts.html
• AAFP Family Medicine Fellowship Directory

www.aafp.org/fellowships
key messages
The best way to know whether family medicine
is right for you is to try it out and get involved as
early in your training as possible.
Attending the AAFP National Conference early

and often during medical school will help you
expand your clinical education and find a
residency program. Visit www.aafp.org/nc for
more information, including finding scholarships
to attend.
richard easterling, lancaster general hospital

family medicine residency

SECTION 3: GAINING EXPERIENCE, PREPARING RESIDENCY
APPLICATION/CREDENTIALS AND BUILDING A CV
The curriculum will definitely keep you busy during medical school, but it won’t provide you
with all the information and experiences to make critical career decisions. Medical school
training can underdeliver on real-world experience and perspective, particularly in outpatient
STROLLING
medicine and primary care. While most health care is provided in the community, medical
school training is skewed toward hospital-based experiences. As a result, many students leave
THROUGH
medical school with a lack of insight into how primary care is typically practiced and what
skills physicians regularly rely on (beyond medical knowledge) to help patients.
THEfamilyMATCH
It’s important to look for opportunities to experience medicine in multiple settings
while in medical school. Throughout the United States and abroad, family physicians practice
2024-2025
both outpatient and inpatient medicine, caring for diverse populations in settings that
include clinics, hospitals and emergency departments.
Family physicians care for patients in

nursing homes, make home visits and even
I don’t think you can just one day decide to be
provide health care for cruise lines and
committed to family medicine. By the time you
corporations. Having a variety of family apply [to residency programs], you should have
medicine experiences during medical accumulated experiences that speak for themselves.
school will help you decide what career is
right for you and demonstrate to residency
programs that you’re interested in and
committed to the specialty. Patient and practice stories reflecting your personal interests
and passion for family medicine will strengthen your application materials and interviews.
Sign up for rotations that are consistent with diverse family

medicine experiences.
Perceived commitment to the specialty is the most important personal characteristic
applicants can show a family medicine residency. According to the 2021 NRMP Program
Director Survey, more than 95% of family medicine residency directors cited this characteristic
when deciding whom to interview. Survey results about average program behavior and other
insights into the residency recruitment process can be found at www.nrmp.org/wp-content/
uploads/2021/11/2021-PD-Survey-Report-for-WWW.pdf.
Your Residency Application

Building your residency application starts early in medical school. The residency recruitment
process has become less focused on standardized exam performance and more focused on
the holistic accounting of broad applicant factors and characteristics so residency programs
may recruit diverse and committed residents. The shift to a pass/fail scoring system of the
first major medical licensing examination is evidence of this new focus.

To stand out as an applicant, show an interest and commitment in activities like advocacy,
policy, community service and leadership. Maintaining good academic standing while pursu-
ing additional opportunities expands your curriculum vitae (CV). Dig in deeper with opportu-
nities that energize, inspire and keep you whole. These will help you excel in both academics
and professional development.
The checklists in this section will guide you through each year of medical school. If you are
a senior medical student and see action items listed for first- and second-year medical stu-
dents that you haven’t accomplished, don’t worry. Most of these items can be achieved any-
time during your medical education.
Opportunities for Professional Development

•
Set goals: Medical school will teach you an amazing amount about medicine, but it
may not address some other skills you need to function as a professional in residency
and beyond (e.g., leadership, community organizing). Set goals for your professional
development at the beginning of medical school and revisit those goals at least yearly.
Throughout medical school, look for ways to develop these skills to meet your goals.
• G
et involved (but not too involved!): Seek opportunities to participate in extracurricular
programs and groups that complement your medical school curriculum and strengthen
your personal drive. It’s easy to get over-committed, so don’t try to join everything. Joining
groups and pursuing programs that feed your soul (and build your CV) will help you be
energized and whole to tackle the many demands of medical school.
• F ind like-minded peers: Find peers who share your interest in primary care or family
medicine specifically. A network of like-minded peers will help reinforce your values
throughout medical school.
If you are really committed to family medicine, it Go to AAFP National Conference! There is no better
shows in what you say and do throughout medical way to investigate potential programs than to meet
school, not just during application season. them in Kansas City in the Expo Hall!
— gretchen irwin, md, mba, faafp, wichita, ks — chandler stisher, md, huntsville, al
Leadership is a professional skill that will help you stand out in the Match process and
throughout your career. According to the NRMP Program Director Survey, leadership qualities
are highly valued by a majority of family medicine residency program directors and are
among the factors used to select applicants to interview. Leadership qualities had an
average importance rating on par with clerkship grades.
The AAFP trains students and residents to lead and advocate. Visit www.aafp.org/getinvolved
to learn more.

Get involved in a family medicine student organization at your school
TIP and participate in community service. Your activities in medical school
will speak for themselves when you apply for a residency program.
BECOME AN ADVOCATE
STROLLING
THROUGH
As soon as you were accepted to medical school, did you notice a change in how
your friends and family interacted with you? Did they start asking you questions
about their own health and telling you stories about their health care experiences?
THE MATCH
You may feel like you still have a lot to learn about health care, but you are now
a credible source of information about medicine to your patients, family and
community. With that credibility comes the opportunity—and responsibility—to use
your influence for good.
2024-2025
What issues do you care about in health care and beyond? Look for ways to use
your credibility and influence to advocate for family medicine, primary care, your
patients and the societal issues you care about. Finding others who also care about
these issues will expand your network of people and organizations that can energize
you when medical school is draining.
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
All policies impact health, and the physician or physician-
in-training perspective is critical to policymakers. Look
for opportunities to learn about and contribute to
grassroots or organized legislative advocacy from the
local to the national level. The AAFP hosts the Family
Medicine Advocacy Summit and AAFP Annual Leadership
Conference, and AAFP chapters often host their own
advocacy events and have committees and task forces
in which you may be able to get involved. Ask around at
your school’s family medicine department and faculty to
find out who’s involved and if you can learn from them or
help. Many medical student organizations are also highly deashia mcalpine,
university of maryland
involved. The AAFP works with the American Medical family medicine residency
Association (AMA), Student National Medical Association
(SNMA), and Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) to
support student involvement in advocacy and policy development.

GAINING EXPERIENCE, ETC, continued
ORGANIZED MEDICINE
One way to advocate for your patients and profession throughout your career is
to get involved in organized medicine. Nonprofit associations exist to harness the
power of collective voices to further their missions. Every medical specialty has
a specialty organization, like the AAFP for family medicine. These organizations
provide connections and support for their members
and work toward positive change on the issues most important to their members.
As a medical student, many of these organizations offer membership—some for
little or no cost. In addition, you may find value and purpose in getting involved
in organizations for different groups of students or physicians, such as the
LMSA or the American Association of Indian Physicians (AAPI). There are also
interprofessional medical organizations focused on a type of practice or patient,
like the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), and cause-driven organizations,
like the Social Mission Alliance. Whatever you’re interested in or however you
identify yourself, you’re likely to find a group to get involved with.
POLICY
The physician's voice is an important and powerful one in federal, state, local and
institutional policy development. Consider spending some time pursuing legislative
and/or health policy knowledge and experiences during medical school. You may
be able to find or create a health policy elective for yourself!
Learn more about policies that impact primary care through the Robert Graham
Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care (www.graham-center.org/home.html).
You can gain experience in policy development by getting involved in organizations
like those listed in this section. One opportunity to get involved in policy
development on an issue you care about is participating in the AAFP’s National
Congress of Student Members, which happens in conjunction with the AAFP
National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. Come
to the conference, find others who care about what you care about, work together,
write a resolution, debate the issues, elect medical student leaders for the AAFP
and be a part of improving the structure and conditions surrounding health
and health care. Learn more at www.aafp.org/getinvolved.

Become knowledgeable about health care reform, health care
TIP delivery and the importance of primary care. In particular, become
informed about current health care trends related to family medicine,
including efforts to shift to value-based care and other payment reforms. This
shows residency programs that you’re committed to family medicine and know
what that commitment means. STROLLING
THROUGH
HEALTH EQUITY
THE MATCH
Achieving health equity and eradicating health disparities are especially important
to family physicians. Achieving health equity takes breaking down the conditions and
2024-2025
systems holding the problem in place. It takes intentionality. Look for opportunities
to educate yourself and others and contribute to or lead health equity initiatives
within your institution, community, region, state or beyond. The AAFP and its
chapters are likely to be engaged in this work, and your local connections will help
surface opportunities. Learn more about efforts to improve diversity and health
equity in family medicine at www.aafp.org/everyone.
Join in!
Medical and professional organizations that offer membership to students can be
a great source of educational resources. As a member, you’ll get access to exclusive
benefits and expand your professional network.
• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
www.aafp.org/membership/join/student.html
• Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)
www.stfm.org/join
• North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG)
www.napcrg.org/Membership
• American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)
www.acofp.org/ACOFPIMIS/Acofporg/Membership/Students.aspx

Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs)

Family medicine interest groups (FMIGs), often chartered as student chapters of the American
College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) when located at an osteopathic college of
medicine, have state and national support to help you expand your networking beyond medical
school. They provide educational programming in family medicine, including clinical skill work-
shops. Leadership opportunities in these groups allow you to take on responsibilities that align
with your professional development goals and interests and are impressive on a CV. Learn more
about FMIGs at www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students/fmig.html.
Leadership Programs and Scholarships

A number of organizations that are invested in developing the next generation
of medical leaders offer focused individual leadership experiences. Find
programs within your medical school or state by asking your adviser, your school’s
family medicine department or other trusted role models and mentors in
and around family medicine. You may also consider national programs like the
AAFP Foundation’s Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute at www.
aafpfoundation.org/our-programs/education-initiatives/family-medicine-leads-
emerging-leader-application.html and the American Board of Family Medicine
(ABFM) Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program at www.pisacano.org/, which is
open to applicants in their third year of medical school. Some opportunities are
very selective, so understanding their eligibility criteria early in medical school will
help you work toward meeting them. If you think you might be a fit for a particular
program, don’t hold back from applying just because you don’t feel you check
every box. Leadership programs value candidates in whom they see potential, not
just those who have the longest list of previous achievements.
Not sure where to start?

If you’re an AAFP member, visit your chapter’s website or contact their staff to learn about
resources and events supporting members' advocacy involvement. You can access a chapter
directory at https://app.aafp.org/sf/s/searchdirectory?id=a233l0000020Q3X.

Holistic Review
Holistic review refers to a process through which residency programs provide balanced
consideration to all aspects of an application, including academic metrics, experience
and candidate attributes. This process allows reviewers to be flexible and individualized in
assessing an applicant.
STROLLING
Family medicine residencies are considered leaders in holistic review, as so much of family
medicine requires more than just good test scores. If you are interested in family medicine
THROUGH
early in medical school, you have the opportunity to build up experiences that showcase
your commitment to family medicine, reflect your values and passion and demonstrate your
THE MATCH
teamwork and leadership skills. Family medicine residencies are also dedicated to equity and
will likely be interested in your “road traveled,” reflecting on your journey to medicine through
medical school and any adversity you’ve overcome.
2024-2025
Similarly, you should consider residency programs much deeper than the surface-level
information, such as board-pass rates of their residents, geographic location and whether
they’re situated in a multi-residency or single-residency medical center. Your research and
interview questions should uncover the program’s values and culture and what makes it
unique and special.
Based on the NRMP Program Directors Survey, these graphs reflect what 159 family medicine
residency programs reported on the NRMP’s annual survey of program directors. Related to
education and academic performance characteristics, family medicine residency programs
tend to look most at the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (dean’s letter), medical
licensing exam attempts/pass rates and consistency in grades.
figure 3. Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Considered in

Deciding Who to Interview (by Percent)

figure 4. Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Considered in

Deciding Who to Interview (by Mean Importance)
Source: NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2021
Checklists: Building Experiences Year by Year

Every Year
Make the most of medical school and embrace all your courses
S eek opportunities to connect with your peers and classes ahead of you through student
organizations
Embrace every clinical rotation and envision yourself in each of those specialties
P
rioritize wellness and resilience by staying connected with your support network and
offering support to others
First-year Medical Students

Become a member of the AAFP—it’s free for medical students
J oin your school’s family medicine interest group (FMIG) or student chapter of the
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)
Join other national medical student organizations related to your interests
E xplore clinical topics and procedures from the American Family Physician (AFP) podcast,
American Family Physician and Annals of Family Medicine
Explore AAFP student leadership at the state and national level
Start writing your CV to maintain throughout medical school

First-year Medical Students, continued
A
ttend the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students
to network and explore topics that interest you
C
onsider opportunities to gain early clinical experience, such as a summer externship
program with a family physician or shadowing a family physician from your local
community
Second-year Medical Students

STROLLING
THROUGH
Take on a leadership role with your FMIG or student chapter of the ACOFP
Apply for a state or national student leadership role with the AAFP
Connect with a mentor in family medicine who

your CV
THE MATCH
could serve as a reference and help review
2024-2025
Shadow physicians in areas of medicine that interest you
Volunteer in your community or through your medical school
G
ain experiences in governance and policy through your institution (e.g., student
government) or in local, state or federal policy
V
olunteer to help your family medicine department with a research project or pursue a
research project in primary care, public health or health equity
Envision practice locations and research residency programs in those areas
Update your CV
P
lan a clerkship and complete your core family medicine rotation before the end of your
third year, but don’t worry about having the perfect clerkship schedule
A
to network and explore topics that interest you and residency program options
Third-year Medical Students

T ake on a more prominent leadership role in your FMIG by developing a program to recruit
new medical students (this will show a passion for growing the specialty) and consider
applying for a coveted AAFP Program of Excellence Award if the program is successful
Apply for a new state or national leadership role with the AAFP
If you haven’t already, join other family medicine professional organizations, such as the
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) and North American Primary Care Research
Group (NAPCRG)
Become an advocate for primary care by learning about the legislative advocacy process
Volunteer or lead a community service project
Develop a list of professional references
R
esearch family medicine residency programs and follow them and their residents on
social media
Update your CV

A
to meet family medicine residencies and expand your advocacy experience (e.g., join a
reference committee to participate in resolution writing and decision-making at the AAFP
National Congress of Student Members)
Fourth-year Medical Students

C
ontinue to support your FMIG by leading a special project, supporting other rotating
students and advising underclassmen leaders
A
pply for a Family Medicine Student Organization (FMSO) special grant for a special
project at your school or in your community
Include all of your experiences to this point in your residency application
Interview with residency programs
E xpand your involvement in advocacy by applying for an AAFP commission position,
reference committee at the AAFP National Congress of Student Members or other
leadership role
A
to find the right family medicine residency programs to apply to and to help them
remember you when your application comes through
ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The summer after your first year of
medical school, make a point to attend AAFP
the AAFP National Conference of
National
Conference
Family Medicine Residents and Medical
Students. This annual event is one of the
largest gatherings of medical students
and residents from across the country. FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENTS
Attending National Conference will help & MEDICAL STUDENTS
develop your hands-on clinical skills,
GU
AU
M
improve your understanding of the health ST I T Y,
1–3 • C
care system and enhance your awareness KANSAS
of the versatility of family medicine. Even
if you don’t end up in family medicine, the conference is a great place to
kick-start your specialty exploration because you’ll get a taste of everything.
The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation provides Family

Medicine Leads Scholarships for medical students and family medicine residents
to attend National Conference. When scholarships are available, check for
eligibility and application information at www.aafp.org/nc.

Licensing Requirements
table 1. licensing requirements
Students at allopathic schools Students at osteopathic colleges

of medicine (MD) of medicine (DO)
To graduate from medical school, you’re
required to take and pass Step 1 and Step 2 STROLLING
To graduate from medical school, you’re
required to take and pass Level 1 and Level 2
of a three-step test called the United States of a three-level test called the Comprehensive
Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®),
which is sponsored by the Federation of State
THROUGH
Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination
of the United States (COMLEX-USA), which
Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National
Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®). THE MATCH
is administered by the National Board of
Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
Two of the steps are administered during Two 2024-2025
of the levels are administered during
medical school. The final step is completed medical school. The final level is completed
during residency. during residency.
• USMLE Step 1: Assessment of medical • COMLEX-USA Level 1: Assessment of
knowledge and foundational science medical knowledge and foundational
• USMLE Step 2*: Assessment of knowledge science
of clinical science (USMLE Step 2 CK) • COMLEX-USA Level 2*: Assessment
• USMLE Step 3: Assessment of whether of knowledge of clinical science
you can apply medical knowledge and (COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE)
understanding of biomedical and clinical • COMLEX-USA Level 3: Assessment of
science in order to practice medicine whether you can apply medical knowledge
without supervision and understanding of biomedical and
clinical science to practice medicine
without supervision
Performance on the first two stages of these exams serves as one crucial piece
of eligibility criteria for residency applications and is required by most residencies
during the application process. Make sure you’re on schedule to complete the
required exams in time for your results to be shared with residencies.
*Standardized assessment of clinical skills is also required. In 2021, the USMLE and COMLEX exams discontinued a required clinical
skills assessment, and as a result, more medical schools are managing those exams at the institutional level. These exams assess
readiness for graduation and provide information for students’ Medical Student Performance Evaluation. Medical students should
research clinical skills examination requirements at their medical school.
SHOULD OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL STUDENTS TAKE BOTH COMLEX AND USMLE?

Students at osteopathic colleges of medicine are required to take Levels 1 and 2 of COMLEX-
USA to graduate from medical school. About half of DO students also take the USMLE exam,
anticipating that some residency programs may prefer or only accept USMLE test scores.
Nearly all family medicine residency programs accept and consider COMLEX results. While
taking the USMLE steps may offer enhanced or additional eligibility in some specialties or
programs, it poses a risk if your exam performance is variable. Taking both exams is also an
additional cost.

SCORES VERSUS PASS/FAIL

The first step or level of both the USMLE and COMLEX moved to a pass-or-fail scoring system
in 2022. That significant change in the scoring process is affecting how residency programs
evaluate student applications. In family medicine, it is important that students perform strongly
on the Step 2 exams, as the application of clinical knowledge and patient interactions are
fundamental.
Your CV James Smith

A curriculum vitae 1013 Central Street, Apt. 4001 | Birmingham, AL 35005 | Phone: 365-555-3902 | Email: james.s@mail.com
(CV) is a multipurpose, EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

personal application 2020 MD, anticipated, University of Alabama School of Medicine (UASOM), 2018-2019 Student Member, AAFP Commission on Health of the Public and
Birmingham, AL Science
form that captures 2016 Rural Medicine Program, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 2018 Reference Committee Member, National Conference of Family
2015 BA, summa cum laude, Anthropology, University of Alabama at Medicine Residents and Medical Students
employment, Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 2018 Interview Host, Rural Medicine Program Interview Day, UASOM
2017-Present Student Member, Rural Advisory Council, UASOM
educational RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 2017-2018 Student Trustee, AAFP Foundation Board of Trustees
2018-2019 Medical Student Research Assistant, Department of Family Medicine, 2016-Present Member, UASOM Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG)
opportunities, honors/ UASOM, Huntsville Regional Medical Campus, Huntsville, AL. 2016-2017 Research Symposium Co-Director, Medical Association of the State
Worked to identify factors that lead UASOM students to pursue of Alabama.
awards, presentations, a career in family medicine. 2011-Present Pre-Selection Committee, Smith Scholarship Foundation.
2017-2018 Student Choice Project Team Leader, Family Medicine for America’s
research and Health. Conducted multiple focus groups and performed VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
qualitative data analysis. 2018 Medical Mission Trip, Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic. Travelled
membership or 2017 Medical Student Research Assistant, Department of Cell, with a group from the UASOM Huntsville Regional Medical
Developmental and Integrative Biology, UASOM. Conducted Campus on a one-week medical mission trip in partnership
participation in an patch clamp technique on sweat gland cells and cystic fibrosis with SCORE International.
organization. Learning
bronchial epithelial cells to study cystic fibrosis. Conducted 2016-2017 Equal Access Birmingham Clinic, Birmingham, AL. Volunteered in a
RNA extraction to test differential gene expression when student-led clinic that provides health care to the uninsured of
to prepare a good treated with VX-770. Birmingham. Conducted patient histories and physical exams,
checked blood glucose and blood pressure, and educated
CV now will help you PUBLICATIONS

Anderson A, Patel T, Nowel M, Smith J. Development of a collaborative 2016
patients on medication use, when appropriate.
Project Homeless Connect, UASOM FMIG, Tuscaloosa, AL.
throughout your community approach to increase student matches into family medicine.
Ann Fam Med. 2018;10(1):9-11.
Volunteered at a one-day health clinic to provide free health
screenings and acute medical care for homeless/uninsured/
professional life. One of Young J, Do A, Smith J. Modeling gene interaction networks that buffer
underinsured patients. Conducted patient histories and
physical exams.
disease in yeast. Genes (Basel). 2017;6(1):30-52.
the primary functions 2016 Pre-matriculation in Medical Education Program (medical simulation),
UASOM. Volunteered as part of a team of health care
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
of a CV is to provide Herren A, Gates H, Smith J, Coles P, Bramm D. UAB Huntsville Integrated
professionals for a six-week summer program for students
prior to the start of their first year of medical school. Helped
Residency Program. Research and Innovations in Medical Education (RIME)
a succinct record of Week poster session, Birmingham, AL, 2018.
guide participants through various medical simulation
scenarios and debrief them after the simulation ended.
your experience and Smith J, Gaviria C, Abston P. A Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Scare. UASOM HONORS AND AWARDS
Huntsville Regional Medical Campus Research Day, Huntsville, AL, 2018.
training. It’s a living 2017 Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute Leadership
Project Award
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
document that must 2018 Guest Speaker. American Medical Student Association Convention and
2016 Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute Scholar
2016-2018 Smith Foundation Graduate Scholarship
be continually updated
Exposition. Washington, DC. Topic: Family Medicine, the AAFP, and 2016 Alabama Rural Medicine Scholarship
the AMSA 2015 Smith Foundation Outstanding Graduate Award
as you complete 2018 Co-presenter. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Conference on
Medical Student Education. Austin, TX. Topic: FMIG Faculty Advisor
2012-2015 UAB President’s List
2012-2015 Smith Foundation Trustee Scholar
new experiences and Summit
2017 Guest Speaker. UAB Department of Biology Welcome Reception.
2012-2015 UAB Golden Excellence Academic Scholarship
accomplishments. Birmingham, AL. Topic: Advice for Pre-Health Students

2017 Co-presenter. American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) National
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Family Physicians, Student Member
Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Student Member
Kansas City, MO. Topic: Telling Your Story American Medical Student Association, Student Member
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Church, traveling, cooking, spending time with family, hiking
For additional information on developing your CV, visit www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-

students/become-a-resident/applying-to-residency/cv.html. The Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC) offers a CV template at https://students-residents.aamc.org/managing-your-
medical-career/preparing-your-curriculum-vitae.

figure 5. Curriculum Vitae Tips
CV Tips for a Successful Match

strengthen your cv to help when applying to residency programs.
STROLLING
don’t wait, start now
THROUGH
highlight your
Start building your CV early. unique qualities
Seek out leadership, research, Your CV should build upon the
extracurricular, or volunteer application form you will submit to
opportunities. Update your
CV as you progress through THE MATCH
a program. Highlight information
that is unique to you and let
medical school. the accomplishments spotlight
2024-2025
specific qualities.
keep it short
be honest
Your CV should be easy to read
Be honest and
and your top accomplishments
specific about your
easy to identify. Pick two
accomplishments and
or three good reasons why
the level of participation
programs should choose you
in a project or activity.
over other applicants.
customize it
be concise
Review, restructure, and rewrite
Your CV should be
your CV for each residency
succinct and direct. Avoid
program application. Customize
explanatory sentences. You
to a program’s unique focus or
can provide more context
characteristics.
and information in your
personal statement.
get expert advice
Examine CV samples for ideas on
make it orderly how to improve your own CV. Ask a
Arrange your CV in reverse mentor to review your CV or take
chronological order, with your most advantage of review services at
recent experiences and positions at conferences or events held by your
the top. Ensure dates and titles are school or student organization.
clearly marked and easily identified.
For more tips and a sample CV, visit: aafp.org/cvtips

table 2. CV Elements
Personal Data • For consistency, give your name exactly as it appears in your medical school records.
• Make sure you can be reached at the address, phone number and email address that you
list. Indicate whether there are certain dates when you should be reached at other locations.
• Use a professional email address that you check often. For example, if your current personal email
address is coolmedstudent@hotmail.com, you might want to create a more professional address,
such as janedoe1@gmail.com.
• The following information should not be included in your CV:
– Social Security number
– License number
– Examination scores
If this information is pertinent to your candidacy, the program will request it on the
application or at some later point in the application process.
Education • List your current institution first on your CV, including:
– Name of the institution
– Degree sought or completed
– Date of completion or date of expected completion
• Include medical school, graduate education and undergraduate education. Omit high school
information.
Honors and It’s appropriate to list any academic, organizational or community awards or scholarships, but
Awards you must use your judgment about whether the achievement would be valuable to the person
reading your CV.
Professional List any professional organizations to which you belong and the years of your membership.
Society Include leadership positions held, if any.
Memberships
Employment • List the position, organization and dates of employment for each work experience.
Experience • Limit this list to experiences that are medically related (e.g., medical technician, nurse’s
aide, research assistant) or that show the breadth of your work experience (e.g., high school
teacher, communications manager).
Extracurricular • List your outside interests, volunteer service and extracurricular activities to help develop a
Activities broader picture of your personality and character.
• Highlight any special talents or qualifications that haven’t been given due recognition in
other parts of the CV. For example, include things such as fluency in other languages or a
certification such as a private pilot’s license.
Publications/ • List any papers or posters you’ve published or presented, including:
Presentations – Title
– Name of publication or location of presentation
– Date of publication or presentation
• Works accepted for publication but not yet published can be listed as “forthcoming.”
• If this list is very lengthy, consider focusing on the highlights that most relate to your future
goals.
Personal and Include any information demonstrating your passion and drive that might not have been
Professional captured in other sections.
Interests
References You may be asked to provide personal and professional references. These names may be
included in the CV, appended as part of a cover letter or application form or noted as
“Provided Upon Request.”

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal law
prohibits employers from discriminating against any job applicant or employee
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual
orientation and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.
Some states and cities have laws that expand these protections. You do not have
STROLLING
to provide information related to any protected categories during your interview
or time in residency.
THROUGH
CVs in ERAS
Although CVs are not included as one of the THE MATCH
You can view how your information will
appear to programs by selecting the
standard Electronic Residency Application option to print or review your common
Service® (ERAS®) application documents, 2024-2025
application form in a CV format in MyERAS.
residency programs can create and print out a Developing a stand-alone CV is still
report in a CV format based on information in recommended for the following reasons:
your application.
• It provides most, if not all, of the
information needed to complete
MyERAS will capture:
the ERAS application. Having this
• Exam transcripts and honor societies information before the dean’s interview
• Biographical information (self- may reduce the amount of time you
identification, language, military spend completing the application.
experience and additional information • Some residency programs may require
including hobbies or hometown) a CV as supplemental information. Your
• Education (including information about designated dean’s office can’t attach
membership in professional societies your CV to your ERAS application,
like the AAFP) so you should consider having the
• Experience (previous medical training, CV available during interviews if the
work experience, clinical and teaching program requires it.
experience, unpaid extracurricular • You’ll use your CV throughout your
activities, committees and volunteer educational and professional career.
service and whether medical training Creating your own CV will give you
was interrupted or extended) more flexibility in what information you
• Licensure (if applicable) include and how it’s structured.
• Publications
You want to write a personal statement that reflects a true understanding of family medicine and your
passion for it — more than just ‘I like everything, so I’m gonna pick family medicine,’ and more than just,
‘I had this impactful personal experience with a family doctor and I want to be just like him/her.’
— michelle byrne, md, mph, chicago, il

Personal Statements as time off or an altered curricular journey.

It’s better to address these directly than to
Every application you submit to a residency leave a program wondering.
program should include a personal
statement. The personal statement is how
you give faculty members and current
Pick a formative
residents insight into who you are, what’s
unique about you as a potential residency TIP experience in your life
candidate and whether you’re a good fit. or medical training and
center your personal statement
around that story. However,
SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY
don’t try to share everything.
Remember, residency programs screen
Being concise gives you the best
thousands of applications, and individual
faculty members and residents will likely
chance to have your statement
read hundreds of personal statements thoroughly read and absorbed.
each year. They appreciate a statement One anecdote is usually enough.
that showcases your personality. A great
statement is engaging, insightful and
specific, capturing why you chose family SHOW YOUR GOALS
medicine (in particular, this residency The personal statement is the appropriate
program) and why it is right for you. It place to specify your professional goals.
should be written in your voice, making the Describe clear, realistic and carefully
reader excited to meet you. considered goals that will give your reader
a strong impression of your maturity, self-
SHOW YOUR EXPERIENCE awareness and character.
The personal statement is your opportunity
to expand upon activities listed on your If you choose to address academic or
CV, but it deserves to be described so personal challenges in your statement,
your reader can appreciate the breadth focus on what you’ve learned from those
and depth of your involvement in those experiences and how they brought you to
activities. It should not be another where you are now. Make sure to address
comprehensive list of your activities. these issues positively, focusing on your
Instead, it should provide details about path forward.
key activities listed on your CV that have
prepared you for residency. You may choose
to relate significant personal experiences, Commitment is shown through your CV and
but do so only if they are relevant to your personal statement. Make sure you showcase
candidacy for the residency program. activities that relate to family medicine,
like family medicine interest groups (FMIGs)
Your personal statement is also an and student-run free clinics. The best part
appropriate place to address anything about family medicine is the diversity. Most
ambiguous in your CV. In particular, you extracurricular activities can support your
should address any non-traditional path application!
you’ve taken through medical school, such — kelly bossenbroek fedoriw, md
chapel hill, nc

SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT
Be sure to emphasize specific reasons for your interest in Find a list
family medicine and the residency program. Demonstrated TIP of generic
awareness and excitement about what is going on interview
in family medicine can distinguish a good personal questions and journal
statement from a great one. For example, a student will your answers to as many
demonstrate genuine interest and potential as a residency
candidate by showing awareness of, or experience with, STROLLING of them as possible.
Doing so can spark
population health management, social determinants of
health (SDoH), team-based health care or other factors THROUGH
related to the specialty’s impact and role in health care at
memories, reflections
and ideas that you
can use to build your
but reading these may help inspire your thinking about THE MATCH
a national level. Your personal statement should be unique,
personal statement.
how you can best present yourself.
2024-2025
Good Writing Gets Noticed
In your personal statement, the quality of your writing is at least as important as the content.
For the moment, forget everything you’ve learned about writing concise patient histories in
medical school. Be sure to do the following when preparing your personal statement:
• Write in complete sentences.
• Avoid repetitive sentence structure.
• Avoid using jargon. If there’s a shorter, more straightforward, less pretentious way of saying
something, use it.
• Don’t assume your reader knows the acronyms and abbreviations you use. As a courtesy, spell
everything out.
• If you use artificial intelligence (AI), do so only as a starter or to give you some options for phrasing.
• Use software to check grammar and suggest alternate wording, but don’t get carried away to
the point that it no longer sounds like you.
Get writing help if you think you need it. If you have friends or relatives with writing or editing skills,
enlist their help. Student organizations at your school may host personal statement clinics, or your
school may offer review services. In addition, local and national student, medical and specialty
societies may offer personal statement reviews or workshops.
It’s very important that your personal statement is an original composition. It’s fine to get help from
others or even to use some AI aides, but make sure your personal statement is your original work.
Personal Statements in ERAS

ERAS lets applicants create one or more personal statements that can be earmarked for specific programs.
Some programs ask applicants to address specific questions in their personal statements.
Your personal statement(s) must be assigned individually to each program. The MyERAS website
describes how to complete the document and assign personal statements to individual programs
using MyERAS.
After you submit a personal statement, you may still be able to edit or update it in ERAS. However, if you revise
your personal statement after a program has reviewed your application, your changes will likely go unnoticed.

Letters of BEST PRACTICES FOR

REQUESTING LoR
Recommendation (LoR) • Follow instructions: Residency programs
Programs may ask you to submit both might dismiss applicants who don’t
a personal and professional letter of follow their application guidelines. Some
recommendation (LoR). They can be programs specify certain departments or
valuable to program directors looking for rotations from which the LoR originates
distinguishing characteristics among the or require a letter from a person not
many applications they receive. LoR are an involved in the medical profession. It’s
opportunity to emphasize factors that set especially important to submit exactly
you apart as a candidate and strengthen the required number of letters to each
your application. program. Most programs request three.
Sending in more letters than requested
POTENTIAL LoR AUTHORS can make it look like you didn’t review
By the time you’re in your third year of the program’s application guidelines
medical school, it should be a priority to carefully enough or you’re trying to make
identify LoR authors. The following are good up for a deficiency in another area by
options to choose from: overcompensating with many LoR. Some
programs review only the first letters to
• Someone who knows you well, if
arrive up to the number they request,
possible. This is more important than
and subsequent letters are ignored.
the professional position of a letter
author. For example, a faculty member • Declare your intentions: If you plan to
who worked directly with you while on a ask someone to write a LoR for you at the
rotation can write a stronger letter than end of a rotation, let the potential author
the chair of the department, who may know upfront. During the rotation, they
not have had much contact with you. will be able to take note of what stands
out about you. If your performance on
• Someone from a rotation in which you
the rotation is “letter-worthy,” you can
did well that relates to your chosen field
follow up on your initial request once they
• At least one person who is likely to be know you well enough to write a letter.
recognized by the residency program, if
• Plan ahead: Request a letter at least
possible
several weeks before you need it. Faculty
• Someone who can judge your clinical are busy, might be traveling or otherwise
skills and intentions, not just someone unavailable at the initial request and
who is a friend usually have multiple letters to write.
• Someone who is a mentor in your • Provide helpful information: Help the
specialty of choice person preparing your letter by providing
your CV, personal statement and photo
Avoid requesting a letter from a resident and then request a brief appointment to
or fellow. They may have the best review your CV with them, if appropriate.
knowledge of your clinical skills, but the Additional personal information may
attending should write your LoR. Help also be helpful, particularly if you
the attending by providing the names of remind the LoR author of a specific
the residents and fellows with whom you event or situation in which you think you
worked so they can consult them for input, performed well on their rotation.
if necessary.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION and objective summary of a student’s
IN ERAS salient experiences, attributes and
MyERAS allows you to request as many academic performance.
LoR as you deem necessary through the
following three-step process: MSPE STANDARDIZATION EFFORTS
1. Enter the LoR authors you’ve chosen
STROLLING
There have been significant recent efforts to
into MyERAS. improve standardization by including grading
2. The system generates a letter request rubrics and comparative performance data.
form you can share with each author with
a unique ID to upload a letter for you. THROUGH
While the MSPE is a critical element of your
application, many residency programs find
THE MATCH
3. LoR authors register through ERAS on it lacking in substance to help an applicant
the Letter of Recommendation Portal. stand out. As an applicant, your best bet to
They use the letter ID provided on secure a strong MSPE is simply to do well in
the form to submit completed letters 2024-2025
medical school.
online. New letters may be submitted
on your behalf at any point during PREPARATION FOR THE MSPE
application season.
At many medical schools, creating an
Please note: Most programs require three MSPE entails a meeting with your dean
LoR per program. or their designee so the evaluation can
reflect some personal insight into your
performance and career goals. Questions to
address in preparation for the MSPE include
In MyERAS, you select whether to
the following:
waive your right to see completed
LoR when they are submitted. Both • When can you begin scheduling
program directors and LoR authors appointments to visit with the dean?
will be able to see your selection. • Who should you contact to schedule an
Even if you waive your right, LoR appointment?
authors may choose to share their • What resources should you have in
letters with you directly for your preparation for your meeting with the
reference and to show support. dean?
• Should you have a draft of your CV and
personal statement ready?
• What other information (e.g., transcripts,
Medical Student list of potential residency programs)
Performance should you bring along?
• How long does it take for the MSPE to be
Evaluation (MSPE) drafted, signed and sent out?
The Medical Student Performance • Will you have the opportunity to review
Evaluation (MSPE) is a summary letter your MSPE before it is sent out?
of evaluation from your medical school
and is a required piece of your residency
application. It is intended to provide
residency program directors with an honest

Misdemeanor/Felony Questions
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) requires all participating
specialty boards to have guidelines for professionalism as part of specialty
certification and recertification. As a residency applicant, you will be required
to answer questions concerning any felony or misdemeanor convictions. Health
systems have different rules and standards to be onboarded as an employee, so
check with the program for more information.

• Results of the 2022 NRMP Program Director Survey
www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PD-Survey-Report-2022_FINALrev.pdf
• AAFP Student & Resident Leadership Opportunities
www.aafp.org/getinvolved
• The Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care
www.graham-center.org/home.html
• The AAFP EveryOne Project
www.aafp.org/everyone
• AAFP Medical Student Membership (free for medical students!)
www.aafp.org/membership/join/student.html
• Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM)
www.stfm.org/join
• North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG)
www.napcrg.org/Membership
• American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)
www.acofp.org/ACOFPIMIS/Acofporg/Membership/Students.aspx
• Writing a curriculum vitae for medical residency
www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students/become-a-resident/applying-to-residency/cv.html
• The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) CV template
https://students-residents.aamc.org/managing-your-medical-career/preparing-your-curriculum-vitae
key messages
Having a variety of family medicine experiences during medical school will help you decide what career is right
for you and demonstrate to residency programs that you’re interested in and committed to the specialty. Seek
opportunities to participate in extracurricular programs and groups that complement your medical school curriculum
and strengthen your personal drive. Look for ways to use your credibility and influence to advocate for family
medicine, primary care, your patients and the societal issues you care about.
Write a personal statement that reflects a true understanding of family medicine and your passion for it. In family
medicine, it is very important that students perform strongly on the second step of their licensing exams, as
the application of clinical knowledge and patient interactions are fundamental in primary care.
Every application you submit to a residency program should include a personal statement.
In your CV, SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY, EXPERIENCE, GOALS and COMMITMENT. It’s very important that your personal
statement is an original composition. Begin to identify LoR authors and request letters early.

SECTION 4: SELECTING AND APPLYING TO
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
What to Know About Programs have historically structured their

curricula in one of two ways, both of which
Family Medicine emphasize caring for a continuity panel of
Residencies STROLLING
patients in the family medicine practice:
• A standard block schedule, with residents
There are more than 700 family medicine
residency programs in the United States,
and no two programs are exactly alike.
THROUGH
rotating through various specialty areas
every few weeks (or more).
THE MATCH
When considering a residency, you’ll have • A longitudinal approach with specialty
many exciting options and will want to experiences scheduled throughout the
thoroughly weigh a variety of factors, year to create more touchpoints with
including the program’s curriculum, faculty, 2024-2025
continuity patients throughout all years
benefits package, community and other of training.
characteristics.
It can be helpful to learn about both
Although every family medicine residency models as you are considering your options.
program is required to meet certain
specifications and minimum requirements
for accreditation, each has the autonomy
to adapt its program to meet the needs of Family Medicine
its community, the strengths and interests Residency
of its faculty and the training goals of its
residents. Requirements
In the 2023-24 academic year, new
You can learn about the minimum residency accreditation requirements
requirements for family medicine by went into effect for family medicine
browsing common and specialty-specific after a major revision. Programs will
program requirements on the ACGME continue shifting their schedules and
website at www.acgme.org/Specialties/ innovating their curricula to meet the
Family-Medicine/Program-Requirements- new requirements. These requirements
and-FAQs-and-Applications. If a program allow for more flexibility, more elective
exceeds the minimum requirements, it rotations and more individualized
can be interesting to learn why they place learning plans for residents. It will
extra emphasis on a particular area and be important to ask residencies
consider whether this additional experience about the new requirements and
is something you’re looking for. how they impact their curricula and
schedules. Read more about the new
One advantage of family medicine is the requirements in AAFP News at
breadth of the curriculum you’ll be exposed www.aafp.org/news/education-
to during residency, which will help you professional-development/2023-
build your skills and knowledge so you’re acgme-program-reqs.html.
well-prepared to start in a practice and
advance your career.

Programs may have some version of their schedules
available on the residency website. Before your
interviews, you can browse the schedules to see Key factors to evaluate include the
if anything stands out or if you have specific mission and values of the program,
questions (e.g., curricula, training sites). their educational focus and curriculum
and the community and culture of the
Family medicine residencies provide well-rounded program. It’s important that you feel
training, even for residents interested in a focused connected to the people you’ll work with
area. The great diversity in residency training and the community you’ll serve.
means you’re very likely to find programs that fit — margaret miller, md, mph, resident
family physician, charleston, sc
your individual strengths and interests.
Residency Selection
There are three primary stages in the process of selecting a residency program.
Stage 1: Identify your personal priorities and conduct preliminary research
During this stage, focus on identifying the factors of a program that are most important to you.
As you identify programs you want to know more about, stay focused on collecting objective
information (e.g., community size, region, call schedule).
Stage 2: Gather subjective information
In this stage, take a more subjective approach to gathering information and identifying the pros
and cons of the programs that interest you. Decide on programs you’d likely want to interview.
Stage 3: Interview with residency programs
Finally, carefully select a list of programs to apply to and take notes immediately after each
interview. Your end goal throughout the interview season is to establish a rank order list (ROL)
for the programs you visit.
Popular sources of information

TIP
Start with geography. Then, seek
about family medicine residencies programs that share your passions.
and the Match: Search program websites to
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) look at current residents in the
• Residency program websites program, their backgrounds, if
they are committed to family
• Classmates
medicine and if you share their
• Previous graduates
passions. Go to the AAFP National
• Specialty organizations Conference of Family Medicine
• Residents Residents and Medical Students
• Dean’s office in the summer before your fourth
• Career advising or student affairs department year to meet [representatives
• Family medicine department from] programs you might be
• Social media (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook considering. Work to connect with
are the most popular) residents at the conference to see
• Crowdsourcing sites like Reddit and Student if it feels like a good fit.
Doctor Network (but beware of misinformation) — steven r. brown, md, faafp,
phoenix, az

DO’S AND DON’TS OF RESIDENCY SELECTION
• D
O ask the chair and other faculty • D
O find out about alum practice
members in your school’s family settings and lifestyles from programs
medicine department which residency you’re considering.
programs they consider the best fit • D
O talk to students who have rotated
for your interests and why. They can through a program or attended the
offer firsthand information about some
programs and guidance about the
STROLLING
institution with which a program is
affiliated, if possible. They can give an
amount of variance among different
programs. In addition, ask them why
they chose their own training program.
THROUGH
objective perspective because they
have no incentive for recruiting or
THE MATCH
discouraging you.
• D
O keep an open mind about the • consider
DO applying to a larger
quality of each program. Consider a number of programs if you have had
residency based on attributes such as 2024-2025
academic or test-taking challenges,
geographic location, curriculum, unique are applying to programs in popular
rotation/elective opportunities and geographic areas or are applying to
community engagement rather than combined (i.e., dual-specialty) programs.
solely on the name recognition of the
institution. • D
ON'T eliminate a residency program
because you think or assume that
• D
O look for the residency program that you’re not a strong enough candidate.
best meets your unique needs and goals. You really don’t know that until you’ve
Different programs excel for different gone through the first stages of the
reasons, and individual residency application process, so don’t let anyone
candidates may value the same program discourage you.
for different reasons.
• D
ON'T apply to an excessive amount
• D
O be wary of any source that attempts of residency programs because of
to rank programs, such as the U.S. News concerns about the competitive nature
& World Report ranking of medical of the Match. Most applicants in family
schools for primary care or the Doximity medicine match successfully, and most
ranking for family medicine residencies. to a top-choice program.
Their methodologies rely on reviews,
not on objective data or statistics. Also, • D
ON'T apply to a program if you
there are too many residency programs know you wouldn’t attend it under any
for anyone to keep a running tab on the circumstances. Although you can apply
best program, and “best” is a relative to as many programs as you want,
term that means something different to consider whether it is worth the cost for
everyone. both you and the program if you already
know you’re not interested.
• D
O consider contacting current
residents to ask why they chose their
programs and what other programs they
considered. Many medical schools are
willing to provide their graduates' names
and residency locations.

SELECTING AND APPLYING TO RESIDENCY PROGRAMS, continued
Finding Osteopathic Training in Residency

Training in osteopathic principles and practice (OPP) and osteopathic
manipulative treatment (OMT) is not included in every family medicine
residency program and varies among the programs of which it is a part.
Where it is available, this training may be open to both osteopathic (DO) and
allopathic (MD) medical students.
One marker of a residency that will provide training and opportunities in

OPP/OMT is osteopathic recognition, a designation offered by the ACGME.
Programs must meet certain requirements to receive this accreditation.
They will likely require residents to participate in OPP didactic lectures and
scholarly activities and integrate OPP into patient care by providing OMT and
other therapies. Some programs with osteopathic recognition will designate
a number of their positions to be filled specifically with applicants who will
pursue osteopathic training. Applicants can use a search tool on the ACGME’s
website at https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Reports/Report/17 to find
programs with osteopathic recognition.
Programs may offer OPP/OMT training without holding the osteopathic

recognition designation.
Before applying to residencies, MD students interested in pursuing OPP/

OMT training in residency should research individual program requirements.
Many programs require MD students to complete basic training in OPP/
OMT—and possibly some assessment—before residency. For example, the
National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners offers an exam called
Core Osteopathic Recognition Readiness Examination™ (CORRE™) for those
applying to residency programs with osteopathic recognition. This exam may
not be required, so it’s important to check with your programs of interest.

NARROWING DOWN YOUR LIST
OF PROGRAMS
As you begin to narrow down your programs
of interest, make a list of the factors about
a residency program and the educational
experience it offers that are the most
STROLLING
important—or even crucial—to your choice,
based on what you know about yourself,
THROUGH
your career goals and each program. Could
you definitely include or exclude a program
based on a single criterion?
THE MATCH
Factors to Consider
• 2024-2025
Academic reputation
• Availability of shared or part-time
residency positions
• Community (e.g., housing, employment
opportunities for spouse/partner/
significant other, recreational activities)
• Connection with current residents
• Faculty-to-resident ratio
• Frequency of call
• Geographic location
• International electives
• Opportunities for fellowship training in
the same hospital
• Patient population (e.g., racial, gender-
based, socioeconomic mix)
• Physical characteristics of the hospital
(e.g., age, atmosphere)
• Presence of other training programs in
the hospital
• Provisions for parental leave
• Structure and flexibility of the curriculum
• Type of institution
Whatever your criteria, let the rational

assessment of your needs determine which
options to pursue. Before you apply, review
your list and determine whether there are
programs you can eliminate based on new
information or careful reconsideration.

The list of programs you ultimately apply to should not be excessive and should reflect
programs that you’d truly like to explore deeper through an interview.
table 3. Sample Modified Decision Table

Factors Weight Program 1 Rating Score Program 2 Rating Score
(W) (R) (W*R) (R) (W*R)
Facilities 8.5 Comments 4 34 Comments 7 59.5
here here
Electives 7 Comments 9 63 Comments 4 28
here here
Curriculum 8 Comments 9 72 Comments 9 72
here here
Faculty 9 Comments 7 63 Comments 8 72
here here
Location 10 Comments 4 40 Comments 9 90
here here
Community 2 Comments 5 10 Comments 8 16
size here here
Total Score: 282 Total Score: 337.5
RESIDENCY FAIRS
Attending a local, regional, national or virtual conference that features a residency fair
allows you to learn a great deal about the options available to you in family medicine.
While all family medicine programs must meet the same educational requirements, you’ll find
that each program offers something unique. Many students find that attending residency
fairs helps narrow down the list of programs they want to apply to and meet other program
representatives they wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Advisers at most medical schools recommend that students attend residency fairs in their
third or fourth year. However, there are benefits to attending these fairs even earlier in your
education, including opportunities to:
• Explore basic questions about family medicine.
• Make connections to help find away rotations or other opportunities.
• Get advice on matching without the pressure of your Match season looming over you.
Some residency fairs will allow you to bring your spouse/partner or significant other with you,
even if this person is not a medical student. Be sure to ask the conference or event organizers
if guests are permitted.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Program representatives at residency fairs are typically current staff, residents and faculty,
including program directors. This is the same mix of people you’ll meet when you go on
interviews, but interactions at residency fairs are much more casual.

During a residency fair, it’s not unusual
to chat with representatives from a
program for 30 minutes at a time or to The question of ‘opposed versus unopposed’
stop by multiple times. Some programs programs is something I felt like I was
also hold social events after conference taught to ask [that] does not actually yield
hours at a local restaurant, giving you meaningful information from residents.
STROLLING
Better questions are: Who makes up our team
more opportunities to connect. Allow
when we are on inpatient medicine (i.e., do
yourself enough time to have meaningful
we work with residents from other programs/
conversations with people from the
programs that interest you. The best way
to make a good impression during these
THROUGH
specialties)? Do we work with family
medicine faculty from our program or are our
attendings from other specialties? Are there
conversations is to have a positive attitude
and be curious. Introduce yourself to the THE MATCH
any other residents working at our hospital; if
so, what is the relationship like?
representatives and ask them to tell you — michelle byrne, md, mph, chicago, il
about their program. 2024-2025
Try the following questions to get a
conversation started: It’s important to use
Questions to Ask Faculty TIP vetted sources of
• Where are most of your graduates
information and be
located? What types of practices do they wary of information captured
work in? on third-party websites, such
• Are all rotations done at the residency as Doximity. These sites are not
hospital? a direct source of information
• What other residency programs are and are not informed by any of
there at this institution, and how do you the residencies directly. They
collaborate? simply do their best to aggregate
• What community service programs does secondhand public data. Their
your residency participate in? business model is built on driving
traffic and selling ads, not
Questions to Ask Residents providing accurate information to
inform residency selection. Any
• What made you decide to come to this
program?
information gathered from these
sites should be verified. Many
• What are your plans after graduation?
experts recommend not using
• What’s a typical week like for you?
them at all.
• What’s call like?
• Where do you feel most of your learning
is coming from? How are you evaluated?

Parallel Path Applying challenging to be authentic and open if

you’re trying to hide that you’re interested
While most apply to programs in one single in more than one specialty.
(or dual) specialty, some apply to programs
in more than one specialty. In the academic Most importantly, your strategy should
community, this is called “parallel path” not be dependent on “backup” or “safety”
applying. For family medicine applicants, programs or specialties. Everywhere you
more than three-quarters apply only to rank should be somewhere you plan to
family medicine. commit to for the duration of the residency
and a career in that field. If you are having
Applicants considering parallel path a hard time deciding, prioritize specialty
applying may be happy and successful in exploration experiences early on in medical
more than one specialty—this is especially school to help make your choice.
likely with students attracted to family
medicine because of its wide breadth. If you choose to apply in more than one
Family medicine also has the most specialty and it becomes clear to you
residencies in the Match, as family medicine during the interview process that you are
residencies are centered in communities meant to be a family physician, you may
of every size all over the country. Other want to notify the programs you interviewed
specialties with a narrower scope have with early on to make sure they are aware
residencies only in large academic health of your commitment to family medicine.
centers in metropolitan areas.
While parallel path applying may make

sense for some candidates, this strategy
If you come to your
has some significant challenges. Match
statistics demonstrate that candidates TIP specialty choice later
who rank more than one specialty are in medical school, meet
less likely to match as high on their lists with an adviser to get advice
or at all. Applicants who rank more than about your application approach.
one specialty are more likely to match to If your medical school has a
their preferred specialty if they rank more department of family medicine
programs in that specialty contiguously or family medicine faculty,
on their rank list, according to the NRMP’s connect with them to learn about
Charting Outcomes in the Match. opportunities to gain experience
in family medicine and show your
Applying to more than one specialty can
also be a red flag for programs. Programs dedication.
are looking for residents who will be
successful at their programs and applying
in more than one specialty can reflect
a lack of dedication. While Match rules
prohibit programs from asking you about
your other applications, it can also be

Navigating the Match
Be sure you have personal, tailored and expert advice as you navigate the process of matching
to a family medicine program. In recent years, many changes in the residency application
process, and society at large, have resulted in an overcorrection in which applicants apply to
too many programs and cause programs to process and interview more candidates for the
STROLLING
same number of positions. The result is a significant waste of resources for both students and
programs, and poorer Match outcomes result for both applicants and programs.
THROUGH
The best way for you to navigate the Match is to find an adviser who is well-versed in current
family medicine residency application practices. Your adviser should understand variations
family medicine residency programs to apply. AnTHE MATCH

in regional and program competitiveness and help you determine the appropriate number of
adviser should help you create a strategic and
realistic plan for residency application based on the following:
• Medical school performance in the 2024-2025
family medicine clerkship and performance overall
• Exam scores
• Extracurricular activities
• Career plans
• Special circumstances
Programs want to know that you’re committed to their specialty and to

their program. If you haven’t chosen a specialty, it can be a sign that
you’re still figuring out who you are and what you’re about. It may be
hard for a program to consider someone who is seriously unsure about
their specialty.
— joyce hollander-rodriguez,
program director, klamath falls, wa
The Match process really forces you to know yourself and what you want well. You have more control as a
student than it may seem like at the time, so don’t get swept up in the desire to ‘just match’ that you forget
to match somewhere you can be happy. Listen to the family medicine mentors at your medical school who
are trying to give you advice about how many programs to apply to or what to address in your personal
statement. Remember that if you’ve seen one family medicine residency program, you’ve seen one family
medicine residency program! Do your homework ahead of time to know what might be a good fit for you.
— gretchen irwin, md, mba, faafp, wichita, ks

Resources for Every Stage

Stage1
• Browse individual residency program websites and social media
• Search the AAFP Family Medicine Residency Directory (available as an
interactive tool in the “For Students” section of the AAFP app and online at
www.aafp.org/medical-education/directory/residency/search)
• Search for programs on social media to learn more about them
• Attend residency fairs at local, regional and national conferences, including the
AAFP National Conference
• Attend residency virtual meet and greets and open houses
Stage 2
• Complete away rotations, if available, at programs of interest
• Talk with residency program alumni, community physicians or students at
the institutions
• Attend residency fairs at local, regional, national and virtual conferences
• Narrow down your list of programs you would seriously consider and don’t
overapply
Stage 3
• Use a logical tool, such as a modified decision table, to help you systematically
quantify the pros and cons of each program by the factors that are most
important to you.
• Download the AAFP app and use the tools in the “For Students” section. The app
includes an interactive version of the modified decision table, plus other features
that will help you keep track of programs you’re interviewing with, take notes and
make decisions about your rank list. Also, use the questions tool in the AAFP app to
curate and export a list of items to ask about during each interview.

Conferences AAFP members can access the chapter
directory at https://app.aafp.org/sf/s/
and Events login/?ec=302&startURL=%2Fsf%2F%2520
AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine searchdirectory%3Fid%3Da233l0000020Q3X.
Residents and Medical Students
August 1-3, 2024 | Kansas City, MO
Residency Directories
www.aafp.org/nc
An opportunity for residents and medical STROLLING
AAFP Family Medicine Residency Directory
students to learn more about family In the “For Students” section of the AAFP app,
medicine, explore residency programs and
connect with potential employers.
THROUGH
as part of a comprehensive matching tool,
the AAFP’s residency directory is online at
Family Medicine Midwest Conference THE MATCH

www.aafp.org/medical-education/directory/
residency/search. The AAFP app provides
October 18-19, 2024 | Madison, WI more information than what other residency
www.fmmidwest.org/ 2024-2025
directories offer. The directory in the app is
An academic family medicine conference an interactive tool that allows you to find
for faculty, residents and students from and favorite programs, take notes, rank
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, residencies and more.
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. FREIDA™, the American Medical Association
(AMA) Residency & Fellowship Database®
Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC) www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/
Annual Meeting preparing-residency/freida
September 20-22, 2024 | Philadelphia, PA Provides basic information about graduate
www.fmec.net medical education programs in all specialties,
An academic family medicine conference such as the name of the program director
for faculty, residents and students from the and the hospital, as well as the number of
Northeastern United States, including Ohio hospital admissions, outpatient visits and
and Virginia. available residency positions.
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Residency Explorer

Conference on Medical Student Education www.residencyexplorer.org
January 30-February 2, 2025 | San Antonio, TX Residency Explorer is a newer tool from nine
www.stfm.org/conferences/mse/overview organizations involved in the Match process. It
A national conference for anyone involved allows you to compare programs within your
in the education of medical students; may chosen specialty and see data about previously
be useful if you’re thinking about a career in matched applicants at each program.
academic family medicine or research.
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
AAFP Chapter Meetings Education (ACGME) Graduate Medical
Your AAFP chapter hosts an annual meeting Education Directory
that may include opportunities to interact https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/
with residency programs. Visit your chapter’s Search
website or contact the chapter to ask Organizes information by state and specialty
about events in your area. Learn more and includes program accreditation
about AAFP chapters and join at www.aafp. status, sponsoring institution and contact
org/membership/join/chapters.html, and information.

There is no one perfect place to find information about residencies. Each directory has a little bit different
information, so I used them all and put it all together.
— margaret miller, md, mph, resident family physicians, charleston, sc
What is ERAS?
The Electronic Residency Application Service®
(ERAS®), run by the Association of American ERAS is not a matching service,
Medical Colleges (AAMC), allows applicants to and applicants who use it must
transmit residency and fellowship applications, do so in conjunction with one or
letters of recommendation (LoR), deans’ more matching services, such as
letters, transcripts and other supporting the National Resident Matching
credentials to residency and fellowship Program® (NRMP®) Main Residency
programs and allows programs and applicants Match® or the Military Match.
to coordinate interview offers and scheduling.
Find and review detailed information about using ERAS through the AAMC’s ERAS Tools and
Worksheets for Residency Applicants at https://students-residents.aamc.org/eras-tools-and-
worksheets-residency-applicants/eras-tools-and-worksheets-residency-applicants.
Program Signals, Past Experiences and

Geographic Preferences
For the first year in 2024, medical students and graduates applying to residency have a chance
to provide a more comprehensive view of themselves and their passions, helping program
directors perform a more holistic review. ERAS® instituted three big changes for applicants:
1. Program signals. During the application process, applicants can signal up to five family
medicine residency programs to show their strong interest in the program.
2. Past experiences. Applicants have the opportunity to highlight up to five meaningful life
experiences that complement other parts of their application.
3. Geographic and setting preferences. Location interest features allow applicants to
indicate preferred training regions and/or community settings in their applications.
PROGRAM SIGNALS
Applicants can choose five family medicine residency programs to signal their preference at
the time of application. Family medicine residency program directors have indicated that these
signals may be an important piece of information to help bring candidates to the surface who
are very serious about their programs. This signal strategy is called “small signals” in ERAS.
Some other specialties use “large” and “two-tier” signal strategies. For family medicine, the
“small signal” strategy has a goal of elevating applicants for their top programs of interest.

The AAMC suggests that when deciding where to signal, applicants are encouraged to consider:
• Strength of their application
• Ultimate career goals
• Personal circumstances
• Mission and goals of the programs they’re applying
• Advice of faculty and resident mentors
STROLLING
Residency programs do not send signals to applicants. Although the use of program signals
THROUGH
is optional for applicants, programs will not be able to see whether an applicant declined
the use of signals altogether, or just did not signal their program. They will only see whether
their program was signaled by an applicant. Applicants will also be able to submit an essay
THE MATCH
explaining their preferences. Applicants will be able to see in ERAS if a program accepts
signals, as participation is also optional for programs.
2024-2025
Family medicine used program signals for the first time in the 2024 cycle, and the result is
that the vast majority of applicants chose to use signals and most (666) family medicine
residency programs chose to accept signals. The distribution of signals roughly followed
the distribution of applications, meaning that in general, more competitive programs were
also more competitive for signals. For family medicine, the 10% of programs that received
the most signals received 27% of all signals. Every family medicine residency program that
accepted signals also received signals.
figure 6. Ratio of Program Signals to Number of Applicants
The variation in signals received by programs means that programs used signal information
differently. Programs that received signals from many of their applicants, or more than they
typically interview, may have been more likely to use signals as a requirement for interview
invitation. Programs that received fewer or a lower proportion of signals may have used signals
to review applicants that they may not have offered interviews using their usual application
review criteria. Most applicants used the maximum number of signals available to them.

The introduction of signals in the residency. The AAMC suggests impactful

application process makes it more experiences include family background,
important that applicants research financial background, community setting,
programs before they apply to determine educational or life experiences and are
programs of highest interest. intended for applicants who have overcome
major challenges.
Signaling Programs That Know You
as an Applicant GEOGRAPHIC PREFERENCES
The AAMC advises applicants to signal their The geographic preferences section gives
true programs of highest interest, regardless candidates the opportunity to indicate
of whether those programs already know their preference for or against particular
them, such as their home institution or a geographic regions and urban or rural
program where they completed an away or settings. Applicants can also indicate no
sub-internship rotation. However, medical geographic preference, which is shared
school advisors may advise students with programs.
differently based on their institution’s • Geographic preferences allow applicants
approach to signals. It is important to talk the option to indicate a preference for up
to your advisor to determine how you can to three U.S. census geographic divisions.
leverage signals in the most helpful way for • Setting preferences allow an applicant
you as an applicant. to indicate preferences for training in
an urban, urban/suburban, suburban,
PAST EXPERIENCES suburban/rural or rural setting.
The past experiences section allows • Applicants can include a description as
candidates to capture, in essay form, up to why each geographic and/or setting
to ten meaningful life experiences that selection was made. Applicants also have
complement other parts of their application. the option to indicate “no preference” for
Residency programs can sort entries in this geographic divisions or training setting
section as they screen applicants. and explain this response.
• Applicants can designate up to ten • Programs not in an applicant’s selected
meaningful experiences and provide short region will not be able to see their
descriptions for each experience. preferred regions. They will be able to
• Of those ten experiences, up to three can see if an applicant chose “no preference”
be identified as most meaningful, and and any information the applicant shared
applicants can include short descriptions of about this reason.
the reason for assigning this designation. • Programs will be able to view the
• Applicants can designate “experience applicant’s setting preferences.
types” with descriptive information (such
as research, volunteer work, education/ Filters for Permanent Address
training, military service).
Programs have the ability to filter by an
• Applicants can showcase mission-focused applicant's county, state, city, postal code
characteristics of their experiences (such and setting starting in 2024. Applicants may
as rural focus, key characteristics) wish to choose a permanent address that
• Applicants may also describe an “impactful best aligns with their geographic interests.
experience” such as a challenge or
hardship that influenced their journey to

The AAMC provides detailed guidance for
using ERAS, including guides, webinars,
Determining the
videos, templates and tips at www. Number of Programs
students-residents.aamc.org/applying-
residencies-eras/applying-residencies-
to Which You
eras-system. Should Apply
Visit the AAFP website for
STROLLING
Unfortunately, there is no magic number
of programs to apply to. A trusted adviser
additional guidance on
leveraging ERAS features for
family medicine applicants
THROUGH
or faculty member familiar with the
current Match environment is likely your
best source for guidance.
at www.aafp.org/students-
residents/medical-students/become-a-
THE MATCH
Data can help inform your application
resident/applying-to-residency/signaling- strategy. ERAS statistics show the average
geographic-preference-and-past- 2024-2025
number of applications in family medicine
experience.html. for U.S. MD students is about 32; for DO
students, it is about 46; and about 54 for
Secondary Applications international students and graduates.
These figures are significantly higher
Some programs use their own secondary
than applications in the previous decade,
applications to gain additional information
when 15-26 applications were sufficient
about candidates. These program-specific
for a very high likelihood to match for a
applications are distributed after the ERAS
U.S. medical student. All specialties saw
application is submitted. Interviews would
“application inflation” in the early 2010s,
then be offered only to candidates after
causing artificial competition, increasing
the secondary applications are reviewed.
applicant costs and decreasing match
Pay close attention to requests to complete
efficiency. In 2024, most specialties,
secondary applications and the timelines
including family medicine, had a
requested by programs since this is an
decreased number of applicants and
extra step in the process.
applications per applicant, hopefully a
result of organized efforts to curb the
trend of “application inflation.”
Rely on program websites and the AAFP

To determine the number of programs to
program search as your primary sources of apply to, work with an advisor from your
information. Don’t hesitate to email a program school’s family medicine department or
with questions. [It’s] much better to email than someone who knows the family medicine
to spend money on an interview you could have residency environment well. Consider
avoided with more info. your own application credentials, the
— matt peters, md, klamath falls, or geographic region you’re considering,
the competitiveness of programs you’re
applying to, whether you are a couple
matching together and other factors that
could impact your success.

• Leverage your ability to customize certain application documents

for different programs, especially your personal statement and
TIPS LoR. Show them why you would be a good fit for their specific
program.
• Show your commitment to family medicine by naming family medicine
specifically in your core application, not only on customized elements of the
application.
• Check residency programs where you are applying to ensure you fully
understand their application requirements.
• Start your application early and submit it the day applications open. You can
apply to more programs later in the cycle if you need to, but residencies will
pay the most attention to applications received in the initial wave.
• After you apply, monitor and quickly respond to interview offers or requests for
supplemental application information.
• An ERAS token is required to register with the process, but differs from U.S.
and international applicants. International medical students should visit the
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or Canadian
Resident Matching Services for their tokens, while U.S. students receive them
from their Designated Dean’s Office.

• AAMC ERAS Tools and Worksheets for Residency Applicants
https://students-residents.aamc.org/eras-tools-and-worksheets-residency-applicants/eras-tools-and-worksheets-residency-
applicants
• AAFP How to Use Signaling, Past Experience, and Geographic Preference in Residency Applications
www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students/become-a-resident/applying-to-residency/signaling-geographic-
preference-and-past-experience.html
• NRMP Average Length of Rank Order Lists (ROL)
www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ROL-Length-Data_2023-Final.pdf
further help
Your dean’s office is always the first step in resolving and troubleshooting problems.
Online support from MyERAS can help while you’re using the software. MyERAS also has an instruction manual
that provides a wealth of information at https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/
publication/2024-myeras-applicant-user-guide.
The ERAS website has a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section at https://students-residents.aamc.org/eras-
tools-and-worksheets-residency-applicants/eras-residency-applicants-faq and a support desk at www.aamc.org/
contact-eras.

SECTION 5: INTERVIEWING AT RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
Interviewing at residency programs is a critical, complex stage that adds substance to the
process of residency selection. All the months of research and preparation finally reward you
with the chance to find out how the programs on your list compare with one another. Unlike the
earlier stages in the residency selection process, which are focused on background research,
STROLLING
the interview provides the opportunity to meet your potential colleagues and mentors.
candidate. They want to confirm and expand upon THROUGH

The goals of the interviewers during the process are similar to your goals as a residency
the information that you provided in your
application. They’re also trying to determine how compatible you would be with the residents
THE MATCH
and faculty in the program. Just as you try to put your best foot forward, the residency
program representatives want to show their program in the best possible light without
painting a misleading picture. Like you, your interviewers are shaping their rank order list
(ROL) of candidates for the Match. 2024-2025
Three Key Interview Objectives

1. Assess how compatible you are with the program and how well the program
meets your stated goals
2. Convey your sense of compatibility with the program to the faculty members,
residents and staff who interview you
3. Assess the program’s relative strengths and weaknesses so that you’ll be able to
structure a justifiable ROL
Be careful not to let your attention to the third objective obscure the first two.
Being prepared to address all three objectives will increase your chance of having
a successful Match. Conveying compatibility with the program goes beyond making
a good impression. In a sense, you are “trying on the program” or demonstrating to the
faculty and residents of the program that you would be a good fit for the program. You
may want to think of your interview as an exercise in roleplaying, with you in the role of a
recently matched resident in that program. But keep in mind that roleplaying is not the
same as acting. Be sincere in your eagerness to charm and impress your interviewers. Your
interviewers want to find out who you really are. It doesn’t serve anyone’s purpose for you
to give a false impression. By thinking about what the interviewers are trying to get out of
the interview, you can anticipate their questions and be ready with answers that are well
thought out.

way interviews are most likely to be part
Have fun! Interviewing for residency is WAY of the secondary application process or
more fun than interviewing for med school. used in conjunction with live interviews.
— karly pippitt, md, faafp, salt lake city, ut • Asynchronous video interviews: In this
format, interview components are
offered in separate sessions, and you
may sign up for different interview steps
Virtual Interview at different times and days.
• Second look: With the rise of virtual
Formats interviews in recent years, more
Virtual and hybrid interviews have become programs are structuring interviews
popular in recent years. In the NRMP’s 2022 using a hybrid model, conducting the
Program Director Survey, two-thirds of main interview virtually and offering
family medicine residencies indicated they applicants the opportunity for a “second
plan to conduct part or all their interview look” to visit the program in person.
processes in a virtual environment in the Take advantage of the invitation if
future. Only 7% indicated the opposite, you think a second look would help.
while about one-third of programs were Programs may interpret your interest
undecided. Most AAFP student members in coming back as an indication of
who have gone through the Match in recent your enthusiasm for the program, but
years also report preferring virtual and second-looks are not supposed to
hybrid interview options. impact ranking decisions. Historically,
some programs have discouraged
The following are virtual application and second looks, interpreting an applicant’s
interview structures you may encounter: request as a sign of a lack of confidence
in the program after the first visit. It is
• Virtual interview days: Virtual interviews
important to ask about follow up and
are the most common interview format
next steps before concluding your main
in family medicine. These interviews
interview components to understand
involve spending multiple hours in a
the opportunities to continue your
row engaged with the program in video
engagement with that program.
conferences and likely spending time
with a group of candidates learning
about the program. Many programs will
have a variety of experiences, such as
informal conversations with residents,
structured interviews with the director
and key faculty and tours or guided
information sessions. Some programs
will also offer an optional informal
virtual event, like an evening virtual
session before the interview.
• Standard interview questions: Some
programs may ask you to respond to
standard interview questions, record your valentina sedlacek and brandt slayton (fiance),
responses and submit them. These one- ventura county medical center fmr

The AAMC offers a collection of resources on virtual interviewing,
TIP including tips for students on interview formats, identifying a suitable
environment, setting up (including technology), practicing and
responding to questions at https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-
residency/virtual-interviews-applicant-preparation-guide.
STROLLING
THROUGH
Interviews are both about how you
represent yourself and how you capture
THE MATCH
It’s very exciting and stressful time, so be true
to yourself…you are going to meet a ton of really
amazing, cool, fun family medicine docs…and
the information you care about learning
about the program. Use behavioral and
2024-2025
you’re going to make connections that you’ll
remember for a long time. While this process
situational questions. Prepare your is exhausting, it’s super fulfilling. Almost every
space, introspect first, listen and ask applicant reflects back and says that it was really
questions second. a wonderful experience to kick off their specific
— margaret miller, md, mph, resident specialty training in family medicine.
family physician, charleston, sc
— annie rutter, md, ms, faafp,
albany medical college
Interview Scheduling Tips

Most programs participating in the NRMP will schedule interviews between September and
January. You’ll hear some difference of opinion as to whether it’s better to be one of the first,
middle or last candidates that a program interviews, but there is no evidence to indicate
that timing makes a difference in how the program ranks a candidate. Since you don’t have
complete control over the timing of your interview, try not to be anxious about it.
The following tips will help you plan for productive and enjoyable interviews:
• Pace yourself: When interview offers start coming in, respond quickly, but don’t fill up
your entire schedule before you’ve had a chance to hear from the programs you’re most
interested in. Many applicants schedule too many interviews, run out of time, money or
interest and drop interviews late in the season.
• Take every interview seriously: Don’t treat any interview as a “practice interview.” This is a
waste of your and the program’s time. Make sure any program you accept an interview with is
one you’re seriously considering.
• Confirm the details: Contact programs the week before to confirm the place and time of your
meeting(s), find out who you’re going to meet and logistical details, like virtual interview
platform or travel specifics.

INTERVIEWING AT RESIDENCY PROGRAMS, continued
• Practice: Don’t underestimate the value of

practicing answering and asking interview
questions. Often, faculty in your school’s family
medicine department or a local family medicine
residency will be willing to rehearse with you.
See if your school’s family medicine interest
group (FMIG) offers interview preparation. Or
ask a friend, classmate or better yet a family
medicine faculty to roleplay interviewing. It
will make you much more comfortable for the
actual interviews.
• Allow ample time: Typically, an in-person
interview will take several hours and include
dinner or an informal virtual gathering with
residents, and potentially faculty, the evening
before. For an in-person visit, allow some extra
time to tour the community and feel what it
might be like to live there.
• Involve your spouse/partner/significant other, if
possible: If your spouse/partner/significant other samantha driscoll, north colorado medical
will be accompanying you on your interviews, center family medicine residency program
you may want to plan additional time to assess

other aspects of the program and community that are important to them. Some programs
involve spouses/partners/significant others in the interview process (e.g., offering tours of the
community or other organized activities), but not all do. Clarify this with the program ahead
of time to know what to expect and how to organize your schedule.
• Be thoughtful when you cancel: If you can’t attend an interview, give the program at least one
week’s notice.
Helpful Tools
The “For Students” section of Schedule interviews in chunks of two to three
the AAFP app offers tools to geographically approximate programs. Do
help you keep track of programs them over a few days and then take a week
you’re interviewing with, take or so off to recuperate. Eat healthily. Exercise.
notes and rate programs after Practice difficult questions in advance so
your interview. It also includes a that responses are prepared and come easily,
instead of lying in bed at night worrying about
tool that allows you to curate and
what you were just asked.
export a list of questions to ask
during your interview. — david r. norris, md, ma, faafp, jackson, ms

Preparing for Interviews
Well-being
The pressure of the Match process can feel overwhelming. Interview season is
a common source of stress, particularly from a time-management standpoint.
Arranging flights and rentals, preparing for multiple interviews and spending
STROLLING
hours and days interviewing can make it difficult to practice self-care or feel
present in your daily life.
THROUGH
Although the Match is a high-stakes period, the following tips can help
safeguard your well-being during interview season:
THE MATCH
• Know your worth: Remember that what happens during the Match is not
what determines your worth as an individual. Trust the process and prepare
as well as you can for it, but don’t let whatever ultimately happens define
2024-2025
you or your future.
• Put things in perspective: Keep in mind that you’re interviewing programs
as much as they’re interviewing you. Do what you can to give yourself a
sense of control during the experience.
• Build yourself up: Before you interview anywhere, remind yourself what
you’re most proud of accomplishing during medical school and reflect
on how you’ve grown throughout training. This exercise will build your
confidence and self-compassion. It can also prepare you for behavioral
interview questions, which can only be answered well by drawing on your
personal experience.
• Reach out for support: Make time to connect with medical school peers
and your support network of family, friends and/or mentors. It can be
helpful to talk about what you’re going through with people who intimately
understand the unique challenges of the Match, as well as people who know
you well and are champions for your success.
• Let go of mistakes: Not every interaction on the interview trail will be
perfect. If you come away from an interview feeling defeated, don’t obsess
over what you think went wrong. Identify what you’ll do differently in the
future to avoid a similar outcome.
AAFP Member Resources for Well-being

As an AAFP student member you can access tools from the AAFP Physician
Health First initiative, including:
• AAFP Physician Health and Well-being Conference
www.aafp.org/events/physician-health-and-well-being-conference.html
• Resources for personal skill development for well-being
www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/managing-your-career/
physician-well-being.html

Budgeting
Estimating and tracking your expenses before and during interviews will help you see where
you can save money and limit expenses, but sometimes you just have to call the spending an
investment in your future (which, of course, it is). Unfortunately, expenses incurred during
the search for a residency position in the Match aren’t tax-deductible. If you’re keeping
receipts, it will be for your own budgeting goals and needs. You can also share them with a
tax professional if you have questions about your own circumstances and how they affect
what, if any, deductions you might be eligible for.
• A
ttend residency fairs, like at the AAFP National Conference of
TIPS Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students, where you can
meet more than 400 programs in one trip!
• Don’t spend money applying to or interviewing at more programs than you
need to.
• Don’t go on an interview if you wouldn’t realistically rank the program. It’s a
waste of money and time.
• Coordinate in-person interviews geographically, if possible. This can help you
maximize your travel time, particularly if you’re traveling far from home or
school. However, be careful not to schedule so many back-to-back interviews
that you’re too tired to represent your best self.
• If you have a spouse/partner/significant other, strategize which locations
you need to see together. They might not need or want to visit every program
with you.
• Ask residency programs that invite you to interview about their arrangements
for interviewees. Family medicine programs are more likely than some
specialties to offer assistance and support for travel-related expenses.
• If you’re flying on an airline that charges extra for carry-on items or checked
bags, try to pack light. You’ll probably want to bring your interview outfit as a
carry-on item anyway, so you don’t risk not having it once you arrive.

Interview Questions
BE PREPARED TO:
• Answer the following questions:
– Who are you, and what are you about?
– Why did you choose family medicine?
– Why did you choose to apply for this residency?
– What are your strengths?
STROLLING
– What are your weaknesses?
– What are your overall career goals?
THROUGH
– How would you describe yourself?
– What do you like to do in your free time? THE MATCH
– Describe a particularly satisfying or meaningful experience during your medical
training. Why was it meaningful? 2024-2025
• Answer questions with specific examples and behaviors that showcase what you want
them to understand about you. Don’t just make general statements. For example, rather
than answering a question by saying, “I’m a team player,” you should say, “Here’s an
example of how I have been able to work with others to accomplish a collective goal.”
• Adjust to different interviewing styles.
• Have questions ready in order to “interview yourself” in case your interviewer doesn’t
ask you great questions. Practice your personal narrative, but don’t over-rehearse. Be
familiar with what you’re going to say, but don’t practice so much that you don’t answer
questions genuinely. To avoid sounding scripted, pause before answering questions you’ve
been asked in multiple interviews. Jumping in too soon after an interviewer finishes a
question can make your response seem canned.
• Answer behavioral interview questions, during which you might be presented with a case
or situation and asked to respond as you would if the case/situation was really occurring.
• Ask your interviewers to give examples or anecdotes when you ask them questions. It’s
absolutely appropriate to ask them to elaborate on an answer such as, “Yes, we can offer
experience in that area of interest” by saying, “Can you give me an example of a resident
who has done this and what it looked like?” You’re interviewing the program too, so it is
appropriate to ask for examples and anecdotes to follow up on answers to your questions.
Think about what three things you’d like the program to know about you
and make sure that message comes across clearly. Many questions can be
anticipated, so think through your answers to those so you can spend your
energy answering the more unusual questions. Also, prepare at least one
question for each program that relates specifically to that location.
— deb clements, md, faafp, chicago, il

Do Your Research
Before your interview, do some research to find out:
Residency program’s mission and the patient population it serves
Residencies will want to hear that you’re motivated to serve the patients that
they care about so deeply. They would rather hear about your interest in their
patients than your interest in their city or geographical area.
Names of your interviewers
Put their names into a literature search. You can impress interviewers—faculty,
residents or others—with knowledge of their research areas. Plus, you may find
out you have some common interests!
Information about the community
Visit the websites of the area’s local news outlets and chamber of commerce
and other sites that provide information about cultural offerings, community
problems, the housing market and job opportunities for your spouse/partner/
significant other, if applicable.
A helpful question (in my opinion) to ask faculty/[program directors] when you go on

interviews [is] ‘What are graduates of your program doing after residency (fellowships,
obstetrics, academic medicine, hospital medicine or whatever else you might want to do)?’
That will tell you whether or not graduates feel comfortable doing some of those things.
— chandler stisher, md, huntsville, al
Always bring a list of your own questions to an interview. Write these down or save them in
a convenient place so that you’ll be sure to ask them. Having specific questions about the
program will show that you’ve really given some thought to the qualities of their program.
Interviewers get tired of answering the same questions, just as you do, so try to think of a few
that reflect your own particular interests. Also, be aware of what the program has publicized
on its website so that you don’t ask the interviewers to repeat that information.
Decide beforehand which questions you want to ask which type of person (e.g., a question
about the details of the call schedule might be reserved for the chief resident). On the other
hand, there may be some questions you will want to ask everyone to determine whether
there is any discrepancy, such as a question about attending and resident interactions.

During the interview, avoid dominating the conversation, but try to be an active participant in
the interviewing process so your interviewer will have a sense of your interest in the program
and your ability to formulate good questions.
SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

At the end of this section, you’ll find an extensive list of suggested questions that you
STROLLING
can ask during your residency interviews to learn about a program’s focus areas, strengths
and challenges to determine if it fits your preferences. These questions were developed with
THROUGH
input from family medicine residency program directors and are organized by the following
topic areas:
THE MATCH
• General questions for faculty and program directors
• General questions for residents
• Academic or research careers
• Fellowships 2024-2025
• Global health and international service Before the interview,
• Integrative medicine TIP
take time again to
• Leadership and advocacy
review the information
you’ve received from the program
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment
and any material you may have
• Procedural skills
gathered from other sources.
• Sports medicine Write down the information
• Underserved populations and social you’ve found that you want
determinants of health (SDoH) to verify, as well as any initial
• Well-being and culture impressions you may have formed
• Care of people who are pregnant based on the written material. Pay
special attention to the names
The AAFP app’s “For Students” section lets and positions of people you are
you select suggested questions into one likely to meet.
customized list and export or print it to take
with you on the interview trail.
When [I got] the inevitable ‘So, what do you want to know?’ line from residents, [these] were my go-to questions:
1. Why did you pick this program?
2. If you could change one thing about the program, what would it be?
3. How is your relationship with the faculty?
There is a huge variety in culture, people and values, so I focused my questions [on] better understanding
those things.
— grace oliver, md, kansas city, ks

On Interview Day
In addition to the program director, you should talk to other faculty members, residents from
different levels of training and any other individuals with whom you would have significant
contact as a resident in that program. Often, the residency program will have prepared
your itinerary, listing the names of the people you’re going to meet and the amount of time
allotted for each person. Remember that all faculty and staff members may be critiquing
you as soon as you start an interview. You should see the hospital and clinic facilities during
your interview. If you have unstructured time, spend it in places with residents. This will give
you a better feel for the actual working environment.
Remember your goal for the interview is to establish the right frame of mind. Without
being overbearing or insincere, you want to project a positive, confident and enthusiastic
demeanor.
Interview Basics
• Before logging on or leaving your house or hotel room, make sure you have
everything you need for the interview (e.g., notes, paper, pen, tablet, laptop,
copy of your credentials).
• In terms of appearance, the general advice is to be neat and comfortable
and wear professional clothing (e.g., a suit). Your outfit doesn’t need to be
expensive. Wear what makes you feel confident. If your interview includes an
in-person tour, come prepared for the possibility of a lot of walking.
• If your interview is virtual, make sure you’re still dressed well. It will help you
be confident and convey your professionalism. Ensure you have reliable
internet access, that you will be uninterrupted and that your lighting and
surroundings are clear and not distracting.
• Be on time; better yet, be early. Allow yourself plenty of time to get through
traffic, find a parking space, get to know your surroundings, catch your
breath and arrive before the appointed time for the interview. If your
interview is virtual, ensure that the specific software is working on your
device and that you can get logged on.
• Be kind, courteous and professional with everyone you meet, including the
office staff, faculty, residents and anyone associated with your visit. These
people may have input on resident selection and could be your future
colleagues.
• Try to be open and honest. It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t let your
nervousness hide your personality.
During your residency interview, talk about your involvement in family medicine and
show your enthusiasm for the specialty. Be specific and use details to describe what
you find appealing about family medicine.

You’ll often meet and interview alongside other applicants
each time you’re out on the trail. In these cases, your day will
likely include individual time with faculty, staff and residents Stay curious at each
at the program, as well as group time with multiple candidates. interview and make a
point of reflecting on
The group time might be social or involve a structured learning
each interview, whether
or teambuilding activity. Regardless of the activity, remember by journaling, drawing or
that you’re always interviewing.
STROLLING whatever else works for you.
This will come in handy later
During group and teambuilding activities, the interviewers look
THROUGH
when you make a rank list...
to see how you work with others and solve problems. If you which will come down to
participate in any of these activities, be prepared to reflect on your gut feeling, as cheesy
Have fun, and don’t misinterpret such activitiesTHE

as a time MATCH
them afterward and describe what you learned and enjoyed. as that sounds.
to — matt peters, md
klamath falls, or
showcase your competitive side. Programs need to see that
2024-2025
their future residents can support and rely on each other.
No matter how many other applicants are with you on Taking Notes on
interview day, remember that you were invited for a reason. Your Interview
Many people working together for a greater purpose is Using some standard
one of the most appealing qualities of family medicine. Be questions in all
comfortable speaking up when you’re with a group so that your interviews will
everyone has a chance to get to know you. help you compare
responses across the
Table 4 is an example of a staggered interview schedule that
multiple residency
accommodates multiple candidates. In addition to the one-on-
programs you visit.
one interview times, this program’s interview plans also include:
However, don’t
• A group activity
concentrate on your
• Attendance at grand rounds and meet and greets
notes so much that
• Dinner with current residents
you interfere with
• A facilities tour, if requested
effective interchange
during the interview.
table 4. Sample Staggered Interview Schedule
Instead, capture your
Time Program Director Faculty A Faculty B impressions right
8:45–9:15 Applicant A Applicant B Applicant C after the interview.
9:20–9:50 Applicant C Applicant A Applicant B It’s also a good
9:55–10:25 Applicant B Applicant C Applicant A idea to take notes
Break and Group Teambuilding Activity throughout the day
10:35–11:05 Applicant D Applicant E Applicant F to jog your memory
about significant
11:10–11:40 Applicant F Applicant D Applicant E
comments, concerns,
11:45–12:15 Applicant E Applicant F Applicant D
particularly good
points or particularly
bad points.

Designate a notebook to bring with you on the [interview] trail. Decide what your top 5 to
10 factors are when choosing a program, and, after every single interview (that night…don’t
delay!), write down how the program does or does not meet those factors for you. It may not
seem like it at the time, but you simply will not remember the details of every program by
February, and they will all start to blur together. Being able to review your same-day reactions
will be immensely helpful when [you make] a rank order list.
— michelle byrne, md, mph, chicago, il
Prohibited Interview You do not have to answer

questions related to marital
Questions status, number of children or
According to federal law, you do not have plans to have children.
to answer certain questions. It is illegal to
make employment decisions on the basis During your interview, you may want to ask
of age, race, color, religion, sex (including about the residency program’s provisions
gender identity, sexual orientation and for parental leave and/or child care. Federal
pregnancy), national origin, age, disability regulations provide protection of your
or genetic information. Some states and job for 12 weeks of maternity/paternity
cities have discrimination laws that expand leave. The ACGME requires all accredited
upon those of the federal government. programs to have leave policies that
To avoid charges of discrimination based include a minimum of six paid weeks off
on any of these protected classes, many for medical, parental and caregiver leave,
employers do not ask questions that and residents are eligible for this from the
would elicit this type of information during first day of employment. For eligibility to
an employment interview. Residency sit for the family medicine board exam at
programs are also prohibited from asking the end of training, the American Board
applicants to reveal the names, geographic of Family Medicine (ABFM) will allow up
locations or other identifying information to 12 weeks away from a program in a
of programs to which they have applied given academic year without requiring an
or may apply. Programs also may not ask extension of training as long as the program
applicants whether they have applied to director advises the resident is ready for
other specialties. advancement. State regulations may
provide for more than 12 weeks of leave, so
Parental Leave, Pregnancy and be sure to check the regulations in the state
Child-Rearing Plans of each program you apply. Federal law does
state, however, that the amount of time
A typical concern during the interview allowed for maternity/paternity leave must
process is questions related to pregnancy be the same as that which is provided for
and child care. The federal prohibition sick or disability leave.
against discrimination on the basis of sex
includes discrimination on the basis of
pregnancy and child care.

Some interview questions are importantly meant to challenge you, so try to recognize a
challenging versus [an] inappropriate question. Remember that you’re interviewing them, too.
If you are uncomfortable because it is inappropriate or seems too personal, then you can try to
rephrase the question to make it more appropriate and [stated] in a way that you are willing to
answer. If they press you and make you really uncomfortable, then you don’t want to work there.

STROLLING
Consider excusing yourself from the interview day altogether with as much grace as possible.
— katie hartl, md, tucson, az
THROUGH
THE MATCH
Residency Interview Checklists
You may have already formulated a list of standard questions that you want to ask every
program for comparison, or you may have developed2024-2025
a checklist of program characteristics
to fill out for each interview.
A sample residency interview checklist created by J. Mack Worthington, MD, of the

Department of Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is included in this
section. It was developed specifically for the evaluation of family medicine residencies.
Do's and Don’ts of Post-interview Etiquette

Most medical students strive to remain professional during and after the residency interview
process, but it can be challenging to figure out the rules for communication during the
matching process versus the standard etiquette for interviews.
•
DO be aware of your social media “footprint.” Adjust your behavior or privacy settings as
needed during interview season.
•
DO develop your own process for interview follow up and be consistent.
•
DO write down your impressions and update your checklist as soon as possible after the
interview.
•
DO send a thank you note to the program and/or individuals with whom you interviewed to
recognize their hospitality and to reaffirm your interest in the program if this is authentic
and manageable for you. It is not necessary and for most programs it does not affect rank list
decisions.
•
DO be authentic in your communication. Personalize your message and build on the
conversation you had in the interview.
•
DO ask for more information if you discover several vital questions that you didn’t have
the opportunity to cover during the interview. This is perfectly acceptable, particularly if
one of your interviewers—most likely, a resident—has invited you to contact them for more
information.
•
DO complete all materials in the Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®) and the
NRMP, and have current contact information available, including address, phone number(s)
and email.

•
DO understand that if the program invites you for a second visit, your participation should not
have a bearing on the program’s rank order list (ROL).
•
DO be careful about sharing your ROL with others, including classmates, residents, medical
school and residency faculty. You never know how the Match will turn out.
•
DON'T misinterpret post-interview follow up from programs as a commitment from them.
Determine your ROL based on your preferences.
•
DON'T send generic emails to program directors or residency faculty. If you decide to send
communication after your interview, make it personal and ask direct questions about the
program.
•
DON'T go back for a second visit unless you are invited. Residency programs are not prepared
for uninvited guests.
•
DON'T post positive or negative comments on social media regarding your interviews.
Knowing NRMP rules that govern the matching process and your rights
and responsibilities under the Match Participation Agreement will help you
professionally navigate the Match. The NRMP has developed a list of tips for the
Match, available at www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/get-ready-for-the-match.
Ranking Residency Programs

After completing your interviews, your next task is to assess the information you’ve collected
and use it to establish your rank order list (ROL). Determining how to ultimately rank the
programs you visited will take time, and you’ll likely adjust the order multiple times as the due
date to certify your ROL nears.
Here are some pointers to keep in mind as you evaluate and rank programs:
• Take your time. It can be helpful to put your notes aside for a while to give yourself time to
consider your thoughts. Talk through your reasoning with advisers, friends and family, but
remember that the final decision is yours.
• Don’t overestimate yourself. Although you may feel confident that you will match to your
top choice, listing only one program will decrease your chances of matching.
• Don’t underestimate yourself either. If you really want to go somewhere in particular, rank
that program first, even if you don’t think you have much chance. Ranking a competitive
program first won’t negatively influence your chances of matching to programs lower on
your list. Remember, only you will know what rank you matched.
• Don’t list programs that you don’t want. If you do, you might end up at one of these
programs. Decide whether it is better to be unmatched than to be matched to a program
that you don’t want.
• Rank according to your priorities. Remember that the order in which you rank programs is
crucial to the Match process. Upon casual consideration, one or more programs may seem

fairly equivalent to you. But if you take Rank order lists are due in late
the time to consider them carefully, you February or early March each year.
may discover reasons you would rank Applicants and programs submit
one program higher than another. The their ROLs through the NRMP.
matching algorithm is fair, but it is also
indifferent to anything other than the Ultimately, finding the right program
ROL provided. If you rank one program
above another, it will put you in the first
program if it can. It won’t consider that
STROLLING
means different things for each applicant.
The choice may be difficult because your
THROUGH
options seem equally great in many ways.
perhaps the geographic location is more If that’s the case, don’t downplay the more
important to you than a higher faculty- personal-level preferences that might
to-resident ratio.
• Don’t make your list too short. On THE MATCH
make one program seem more of a fit
than another. If you’ve been open-minded
average, unmatched students’ lists were throughout the interview process and
shorter than matched students’ lists. 2024-2025
done your research, trust your instincts
• Start over, if necessary. If you’ve as you rank programs. Also, know that
completed your interviews but decide whatever the outcome on Match Day,
that you still haven’t found what you you’ll ultimately end up on your path to
wanted, look at some more programs. becoming the physician you’ve always
Don’t get frustrated if this is necessary. wanted to be.
It’s better to put in a little extra legwork
now than to have lingering doubts later.
Write down your biggest takeaways from your
In 2023, the average length of rank interview(s). How did you feel, who did you
order lists for matched applicants was: interact with? What did you learn? Those are
things that you might forget in a couple months
• 14.18 for U.S. MD seniors
when it comes time to rank your programs. I was
• 13.62 for DO seniors
able to write down everything that I liked and did
• 9.99 for international medical not like, and I would use that to help my rank list.
seniors/graduates
— beverly onyekwuluie, md, graduating
third-year resident at northwestern's
deinor family medicine residency and
resident member of the afmrd board
of directors

• AAMC collection of resources on virtual interviewing
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/virtual-interviews-applicant-preparation-guide
• AAFP Physician Health and Well-being Conference
www.aafp.org/events/physician-health-and-well-being-conference.html
• Resources for personal skill development for well-being
www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/managing-your-career/physician-well-being.html
• NRMP tips for the Match
www.nrmp.org/residency-applicants/get-ready-for-the-match
• The “For Students” section of the AAFP app offers tools to track programs you’re interviewing with, take notes and rate
programs after your interview. It also includes a tool to help you curate and export a list of questions to ask.

Sample Residency Interview Checklist

Residency Program ______________________________ Date _________
Overall Rating | Rating Scale: 1=Poor; 2=Fair; 3=Adequate; 4=Good; 5=Excellent
1. Area 7. Curriculum
___ Housing ___ Well Planned
___ Schools ___ Accredited Program
___ Recreation ___ Variety of Electives
___ Climate ___ Conferences
___ Distance from Family ___ International
___ Practice Opportunities
8. Evaluation/Advancement
2. Facilities ___ Cognitive
___ Modern ___ Psychomotor
___ Well Managed ___ Feedback
___ Efficient ___ Pyramid
___ Good Staff
9. Patients
3. Faculty ___ Adequate Numbers
___ Experienced Clinicians ___ All Socioeconomic Levels
___ Educators ___ Resident Responsibilities/Call
___ Humanistic ___ Backup
4. Residents 10. Gut Feeling

___ Full Complement
___ Good Attitude
___ Board-certified Graduates 11. All Categories
5. Benefits Comments
___ Salary (A) Positive
___ Health Insurance
____________________________
___ Malpractice
___ CME/Professional Development ____________________________
___ Moonlighting
____________________________
6. Library/Technology (B) Negative

___ Accessible ____________________________
___ Full-time Librarian
___ Adequate Volumes ____________________________
___ EHR ____________________________

Suggested Interview Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS FOR FACULTY AND PROGRAM DIRECTORS
You can get basic information from most residency program websites about the program’s
structure and philosophy. Meetings with faculty members and program directors are your
opportunity to go beyond such surface information. Use the following questions to ask about
STROLLING
topics you do not see answered on the program’s website, including curriculum, rotations,
processes, past accomplishments, graduates and the future of the program:
• Where are most graduates located?
THROUGH
• What types of practices do graduates go into after residency?
• How do you perceive your program compared to other programs?
• What are the program’s strengths?
• What makes your program unique?
THE MATCH
2024-2025
• What kind of feedback have graduates given you about your program?
• Which rotations are conducted at which hospitals and clinics?
• What other residency programs are on site?
• How and how often is feedback provided to residents?
• How would you describe the patient demographics?
• What community service programs does your residency offer?
• What changes do you anticipate in the program during the next three years?
• In what ways is the program an innovator in education?
• Can you give me an example of how the program handles [X, Y or Z]? (Be specific. Ask
about scheduling, leadership development experiences, away rotations, navigating different
approaches to a complex situation, etc.)
• Can you describe the community? What do you enjoy the most/least about living here?
GENERAL QUESTIONS FOR RESIDENTS

The time you spend with a program’s residents is key to understanding your life as a resident.
Use the following questions to ask current residents about the learning process, expectations,
community service opportunities, lifestyle and other practical issues related to training:
• What was the most important factor that made you choose this program?
• What is a typical week/month/year like for a resident in PGY-1, PGY-2 and PGY-3?
• What is call like? What kind of backup and supervision is provided?
• When a leave of absence becomes necessary, what happens?
• What community service opportunities are available?
• How do you and other residents deal with the stress of residency? What kinds of wellness
programs does the residency program offer?
• What do you and other residents do for fun?
• How do you view other residency programs at the institution, and what are your interactions
with them?
• Which areas or processes are helping you learn the most?

• What are the program’s strengths?

• In what areas could improvements be made to the program?
• What are your plans after graduation?
QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC AND/OR RESEARCH CAREERS

Not all family medicine residency programs prepare residents for academic and/or research
careers. Use the following questions to find out if the program will meet your goals for an
academic and/or research career:
• How does the program support the research interests of residents?
• How do residents meet their scholarly requirements?
• Can you describe noteworthy or award-winning scholarly activities of residents in the
program?
• Does the program support opportunities to present or publish research? If so, how does the
program support these opportunities for residents?
• Are there opportunities to achieve additional graduate degrees during residency? If so,
can you give me an example of a resident who has done this and how the curriculum was
structured? How long did it take?
QUESTIONS ABOUT FELLOWSHIPS

Use the following questions if you plan to pursue a fellowship after your family medicine residency:
• Describe your personal fellowship interests and ask, how could this program prepare me for
fellowship training?
• How will I receive adequate training to prepare me for a fellowship while ensuring that it’s not
detrimental to other aspects of my training?
QUESTIONS ABOUT GLOBAL HEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

Global health and international service opportunities vary widely by program. Some programs
may require the development of strong global health skills because they serve a large
community of patients who are immigrants or refugees. Use the following questions to
determine how well a residency program will help you meet your goals for international
experiences:
• What is the goal of the international rotation?
• Can you describe the field experience (e.g., clinical activities, public health initiatives,
community activities, patient education, other activities)?
• What is the cost of international experiences to residents?
• What opportunities exist to seek additional funding for international rotations?
• Will I have professional liability insurance while participating in an international rotation?
• Will my employee benefits (e.g., health insurance, dental insurance) continue while I am abroad?
• How long are the rotations?
• What time of year do residents travel?
• Are certain years (i.e., PGY-1, PGY-2, PGY-3) prohibited from participating?

• In what country (or countries) do the residents engage in international activities?
• Have residents ever designed their own global health experiences? If so, can you provide
some examples?
• What policies and processes are in place to ensure resident safety during travel?
• How many residents have participated in international experiences in the past two years?
Can you provide some examples of their projects and experiences?
STROLLING
• Whom are the faculty involved? What other international experiences have they had?
• Whom do I contact to get more information?
THROUGH
• What are the didactics (e.g., lectures, reading, discussion, debriefing) of the rotation?
• Does the program accept medical students for trips?
THE MATCH
• Does the program accept residents from other programs for trips?
QUESTIONS ABOUT INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

2024-2025
Less than 15% of family medicine residencies incorporate integrative medicine practices into
their curriculum. Use the following questions to ask about a program’s approach to teaching
and practicing integrative medicine:
• What is the program’s philosophy on integrative medicine?
• How does the program incorporate integrative medicine into practice and training?
QUESTIONS ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

Family medicine is unique because of its importance in advocating for the health of patients,
families and communities. Family medicine residencies have health policy training integrated
into the curriculum. Some residencies offer opportunities for training and exposure in health
policy and advocacy, as well as flexibility for residents to pursue state, regional or national
leadership positions. Use the following questions if you’re interested in leadership and advocacy
opportunities during residency:
• Does the program have a leadership curriculum?
• Are residents supported in external and/or organizational activities?
• Does the program support time away from training to pursue leadership opportunities?
• Have your residents held external leadership roles? If so, which roles and how has the
program made these roles work with residency schedules?
• How has the program balanced accommodating opportunities that require time away from
residency with the program's curricular requirements? What arrangements could potentially
be made for a resident who wanted to [describe your interests]?
QUESTIONS ABOUT OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT

Not all residencies offer osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) training, so you’ll want
to check availability by program. Use the following questions if you’re interested in this type
of training:
• What access do residents have to faculty who teach osteopathic principles and practice (OPP)?
• What opportunities does the program have for OMT procedures?
• Does the program bill for OMT?

QUESTIONS ABOUT PROCEDURAL SKILLS

The Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM) Consensus Statement for Procedural
Training in Family Medicine Residency at www.afmrd.org/page/cafm is a great resource on
procedural skills. Family medicine residencies are required to teach procedures commonly
performed by family physicians in ambulatory and inpatient settings. Many residency
programs offer training in additional procedures in which faculty members have experience
or interest in procedures needed in the communities they serve. It’s also possible to receive
procedural training through partnerships and relationships with other specialty departments
and services in the context of your family medicine training. Use the following questions to
ask about procedural training opportunities:
• Could you describe your curriculum related to procedural skills in family medicine? What
procedural skills training does the program offer?
• What is your philosophy regarding procedural skills in family medicine?
• How do residents get exposure and training in procedural skills?
• How are procedural skills taught? Is simulation used? If so, for which procedures?
• Which women’s health procedures are taught? Is training offered in point-of-care ultrasound
(POCUS)?
• Which procedures are regularly billed?
• Do residents work with other specialty departments or services for procedural training? If so,
could you describe that relationship and your residents’ role?
QUESTIONS ABOUT SPORTS MEDICINE

Family medicine residents interested in sports medicine may need additional training outside
the standard curriculum. Use the following questions to ask about the availability of sports
medicine training:
• Does the program offer curriculum in sports medicine? Do faculty members practice and
teach these skills?
• Does the program serve patient panels that have sports medicine needs?
• Could you describe the program’s relationship with other specialty departments or services
that provide sports medicine services or training? Do the program’s residents have
opportunities to work with or learn from those groups?
QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS AND

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Family medicine residency programs are specifically required to have residents assess the
community, environmental and family influences on health. Use the following questions to learn
more about the populations served by the program:
• What are the clinic’s primary patient populations?
• Are there opportunities to serve underserved patients?
• What is the program’s training curriculum in population health? How will this prepare me to
approach population health and health equity in my practice?

• How will I learn to address social determinants of health (SDoH), population health and the
interface between primary care and public health?
• Where do residents see patients outside of the clinic (e.g., nursing homes, free health clinics,
home visits, telemedicine, community health events)?
QUESTIONS ABOUT ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
STROLLING
Residency applicants reflect what’s important to them in the questions they ask. Addressing
racism and inclusion in your interview allows you to learn about what you may expect or
THROUGH
experience at a program. It also allows you to convey to residency programs that this is an
important issue they need to be actively addressing. Use the following questions to learn more
about how a program addresses diversity, equity and inclusion:
THE MATCH
• What has your program done to join the anti-racism cause?
• What training and experiences are required and/or offered for residents to understand and
address their implicit biases? 2024-2025
• How does your program ensure diversity in its recruitment?
• How does your program support residents and faculty who are underrepresented in
medicine?
• Could you give me an example of how your program has supported a resident who has
experienced discrimination by patients or colleagues?
QUESTIONS ABOUT WELL-BEING AND CULTURE

A program’s culture will have a significant impact on your residency. Use the following questions
to ask about how resident well-being fits into the overall training program:
• Could you describe the program’s wellness curriculum?
• What is your philosophy regarding resident well-being?
• How will the program’s culture help me grow as a physician?
• How does the program assess resident well-being?
• How does the program evaluate whether it has delivered on residents’ expectations, based on
training opportunities they anticipated as applicants?
• How does your program support residents with children and families?
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CARE OF PATIENTS WHO ARE PREGNANT

Family medicine residencies require that all residents have exposure to and experience in
obstetric care, including uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. Beginning in 2023, there are two tiers
of requirements for residents delivering babies. All residents will need to have 20 uncomplicated
vaginal deliveries, while residents planning to practice the care of patients who are pregnant
and deliveries independently will need to have more and broader patient experiences. Use the
following questions to ask about women’s health and obstetric (OB) care in the program:
• Which obstetric procedures are available in the program?
• What are the learning processes for training in OB?
• Which faculty members teach obstetrics?

• If there is an obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) residency, how do family medicine residents

work with faculty and residents in that program? Which residents cover call for OB service?
• Could you describe the residency’s relationship with the other departments or services that
provide OB care?
• How would you describe the program’s OB experience?
• How many deliveries does a typical resident handle in your program? Will I have an adequate
volume of deliveries in training to be prepared to handle deliveries in practice? Could you
describe options to have more or fewer deliveries?
• How many continuity deliveries does a typical resident handle in your residency? Could you
describe options to have more or fewer continuity deliveries?
• Can you tell me about a resident who has [describe your own educational goals], and how
they accomplished that goal?
• Does the program participate in Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine (RHEDI)
certification for pregnancy termination procedures?
• If the residency program does not offer training in pregnancy termination, what are the
options for me to receive that training?
julie ngo, henry ford hospital family medicine residency

SECTION 6: APPLYING AS AN INTERNATIONAL
MEDICAL GRADUATE
Who Is an International Medical Graduate?

STROLLING
An international medical graduate (IMG) is a physician who received a basic medical degree
from a medical school located outside the United States and Canada that is not accredited by
THROUGH
a U.S. accrediting body—the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American
Osteopathic Association (AOA).
THE MATCH
The location/accreditation of the medical school, not the citizenship of the physician,
determines whether the graduate is an IMG. U.S. citizens who graduate from medical schools
outside the United States and Canada are considered IMGs. Non-U.S. citizens who graduate
2024-2025
from medical schools in the United States and Canada are not considered IMGs.
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical

Graduates (ECFMG)
Medical schools outside of the United States and Canada vary in educational standards,
curricula and evaluation methods. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
(ECFMG®) was founded in 1956 to assess whether IMGs are ready to enter ACGME-accredited
residency programs in the United States. The commission issues a Standard ECFMG Certificate
to IMGs who apply for certification and meet all the ECFMG’s requirements.
Before students can apply for ECFMG Certification, they need to obtain a USMLE/ECFMG
Identification Number. This identification number will be used throughout the application process.
Both medical students and graduates can begin the ECFMG certification process. However,
you can’t complete the process until you have graduated because one of the certification
requirements is the verification of your final medical school diploma.
Requirements for ECFMG Certification

Meet Medical Education Credential Requirements
As an IMG, you must be certified by the ECFMG before starting a graduate medical education
program or taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) Step 3. To certify
an IMG, the ECFMG must be able to verify the following credentials:
• Physician’s medical school and graduation year listed in the World Directory of Medical
Schools, stating that the school meets ECFMG-eligibility requirements in the Sponsor Notes tab
• Credit awarded for at least four credit years of medical school
• Documentation for completion of all credits and receipt of a final medical diploma
• Final medical school transcripts

Apply for ECFMG certification examination taken by U.S. and Canadian
The application for ECFMG certification medical students:
includes an online application and the • USMLE Step 1: Assessment of medical
Certification of Identification Form (186), knowledge and foundational science
which verifies the applicant’s identity, • USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge:
contact information and medical training. Assessment of knowledge of clinical
To apply for certification, you must: science
• Check the World Directory of Medical
Schools at www.wdoms.org to confirm Detailed information on the USMLE is
that students and graduates from your available at www.usmle.org.
medical school are eligible to apply to
the ECFMG. Starting in 2024, international The Federation of State Medical Boards
medical schools must be recognized (FSMB) publishes state-specific requirements
by their country’s national or regional for initial medical licensure, including:
accrediting agency, which then must • Minimum postgraduate training required
be recognized by the World Federation • Number of attempts at licensing
of Medical Education. All students and examination allowed
doctors registered with the ECFMG before
• Time limits for completion of licensing
2024 will be grandfathered into the
examination sequence needed for license
process.
eligibility
• Request a USMLE/ECFMG identification
number from the ECFMG at https:// This information is available at
secure2.ecfmg.org/usmleidrequest/ www.fsmb.org/step-3/state-licensure/.
usmleidrequestnavigator.aspx.
• Use your USMLE/ECFMG identification It’s crucial to verify your eligibility within
number to complete the application for each U.S. state and to each program before
ECFMG certification. you apply for the USMLE and residency
• Submit your application for certification programs. Applicants can waste time and
before applying to the ECFMG for money applying in states that limit training
examination. permits and licensure to fewer international
medical schools than the full World Directory
Meet Examination of Medical Schools list.
Eligibility Requirements
IMG applicants are required to take and pass
USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 (CK), as well as Timing is Everything
complete an ECFMG Pathway. Applicants who It is recommended that you begin
have previously passed the former USMLE this process early to ensure you’ll
Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) do not need to have all your results by the time
complete an ECFMG Pathway. you apply to residency. You’ll need
to plan for each of the required
Once you meet the examination-eligibility applications, tests and steps to be
requirements, you can apply for the required completed in order and in time
examinations, offered throughout the year. for reporting.
You’re required to take and pass the same

Eligibility for ECFMG Pathways • Pathway 3: Medical school accredited by
International students and graduates agency recognized by World Federation
must also meet eligibility requirements for for Medical Education (WFME)
ECFMG Pathways, a program that assesses • Pathway 4: Medical school accredited
clinical and communication skills required by agency that has received a
for ECFMG certification. These requirements determination of comparability by the
are new since 2020, and the sequencing
and timing have been challenging for STROLLING
National Committee on Foreign Medical
Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA)
applicants. It’s important to review these
requirements and start the process by
your third year of medical school.
THROUGH
• Pathway 5: Medical school issues
degree jointly with a U.S. medical school
accredited by the Liaison Committee on
In the 2024 Match, there are six pathways THE MATCH
Medical Education (LCME)
• Pathway 6: Evaluation of clinical patient
an international student or graduate could
encounters by licensed physicians (for
take to meet U.S. residency application 2024-2025
applicants who do not meet eligibility
requirements:
requirements of the other pathways)
• Pathway 1: Already licensed to practice
medicine in another country Visit www.ecfmg.org for detailed
• Pathway 2: Already passed an Objective information about pathways, application
Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and certification timelines and to find the
for medical licensure administered by an path that best fits your situation.
acceptable medical school
U.S. RESIDENCY DIRECTORIES

The AAFP Family Medicine Residency Directory captures information about family
medicine programs beyond what most other residency directories provide. It’s available
online at www.aafp.org/medical-education/directory/residency/search and in the “For
Students” section of the AAFP app. In the app, the directory is an interactive tool that
allows you to research programs, take notes, rank residencies and more.
FREIDA™, the American Medical Association (AMA) Residency and Fellowship

Database®, provides basic information about graduate medical education programs in
all specialties, such as the name of the program director and the hospital, as well as
the number of hospital admissions, outpatient visits and available residency positions.
Visit www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-residency/freida for more
information.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Graduate

Medical Education Directory organizes information by state and specialty and includes
program accreditation status, sponsoring institution and contact information at
https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search.

APPLYING AS AN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE, continued
Applying to U.S. KNOW APPLICATION DEADLINES

AND REQUIREMENTS
Residency Programs Individual programs may have special
requirements, so carefully follow
GET AN ERAS TOKEN
the instructions for submitting your
Most programs require applicants to applications. Application deadlines may
submit their applications using the also vary among residency programs.
Electronic Residency Application Service Check program websites for details, and
(ERAS®). This requires an ERAS token, call or email the program coordinator if
which is a one-time access code used to you need to verify any information or have
register for MyERAS. For IMGs, the ECFMG a specific question.
coordinates the ERAS application process.
Visit the ECFMG website at www.ecfmg. UNDERSTAND ELIGIBILITY
org/eras/index.html or contact the ECFMG
REQUIREMENTS
at eras-support@ecfmg.org to learn
procedures for obtaining an ERAS token. Before you expend effort and financial
ERAS tokens for IMGs become available resources applying, it’s important to
beginning in June. understand the eligibility requirements
for each residency program you are
REGISTER WITH THE NRMP
interested. Some residency programs limit
the number of years since graduation for
The National Resident Matching Program® applicants (e.g., limiting consideration to
(NRMP®) coordinates the Match for U.S., those who are within three to five years
Canadian and international medical students of graduation). Many residencies list their
and graduates. If you want to participate requirements for applicants (e.g., medical
in the Main Residency Match, you must school graduation year required, types of
register with the NRMP after submitting an visas accepted, number of attempts on the
ERAS application. The NRMP website outlines USMLE allowed) on their websites.
applicant registration steps in detail at
www.nrmp.org/applicant-registration/.
GET STATE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Since offers made and accepted during Before applying to residency programs, you
Match week will be binding under the may want to know if you can get a license
Match Participation Agreement, only in a specific state during residency. The
applicants eligible to begin training on Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
July 1 in the year that they Match will publishes state-specific requirements for
be allowed to participate. The NRMP initial medical licensure.
exchanges data with the ECFMG to
recertify the status of IMGs. This information is available at www.fsmb.
org/step-3/state-licensure/. In addition,
some states, such as California, have a
list of recognized international medical
schools that are eligible for licensure in
the state.

Will You Need a Visa?
IMGs who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents must obtain the
appropriate visa to participate in U.S. graduate medical education programs.
The two most common visas are the H-1B (Temporary Worker) and the J-1
STROLLING
(Exchange Visitor). Some institutions will sponsor the visa for IMGs in the
residency program. The U.S. Department of State also authorizes the ECFMG
THROUGH
to sponsor foreign national physicians for the J-1 visa. Questions about
obtaining a visa should be directed to your residency program staff, the U.S.
embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
THE MATCH
2024-2025
Charting Outcomes in the Match
To better understand your individual chances of matching to a U.S. residency program, review
Charting Outcomes in the Match for International Medical Graduates, a report of NRMP
data on the characteristics of IMG applicants who matched to their preferred specialty. This
information is available at www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Charting-Outcomes-
IMG-2022_Final.pdf.
IMGS IN FAMILY MEDICINE

Graduates of medical schools outside of the United States play a vital role in the U.S. health
care system. Some data suggest IMGs are more likely than U.S. medical graduates to practice
primary care and serve underserved populations.
In 2023, IMGs made up 29.9% of NRMP matches in family

medicine. More than half (58.5%) of IMGs who enter
family medicine residency training are U.S. citizens.
The NRMP’s report Charting Outcomes in the Match

for International Medical Graduates includes a section
analyzing trends among IMGs who match to family
medicine. NRMP data show that there is an increased
probability of finding a match if the applicant:
• Is graduating from medical school the same cycle
as residency application or within fewer years of
graduation
• Has more contiguous rankings of family medicine
residency programs (i.e., not interrupted by other
specialties on the list) whitney peterson, university
of new mexico fmrp

APPLYING AS AN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE, continued
figure 7. Family Medicine in the NRMP Match, 2003-2023
Number of positions US DO
Number filled US IMG
US MD US Non-US IMG
Graph created by the American Academy of Family Physicians | MED23011491

Data are sourced from the National Resident Matching Program as of Match Day each year and do not include positions filled in the
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program or through the American Osteopathic Association Intern/Resident Registration Program.

resources and review residency directories
• It’s crucial to verify your eligibility within each U.S. state • AAFP Family Medicine Residency Directory
and to each program before you apply for the USMLE. https://www.aafp.org/medical-education/directory/
• To ensure you’ll have all your results by the time you apply residency/search
to residency, you’ll need to plan for each of the required • FREIDA™, American Medical Association (AMA) Residency
applications, tests and steps to be completed in order and Fellowship Database®
and in time for reporting. www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-residency/
• IMGs who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents
must obtain the appropriate visa to participate in U.S.
graduate medical education programs.
STROLLING
freida
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME) Graduate Medical Education Directory
• Leverage your network and speak with classmates/friends
who have already matched THROUGH
https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search
general img resources

• Maximize 4th year electives/sub-internships at targeted
residencies
– Gain experience in U.S hospitals THE MATCH
• AAFP IMG Member Interest Group (MIG)
https://connect.aafp.org/communities/community-
home?CommunityKey=d9d3fde0-8624-4cde-8a3d-
• Get involved with your school’s Family Medicine Interest
7368314b960b
Group (FMIG)
• World Directory of Medical Schools
2024-2025
• AAFP IMG Resources
www.wdoms.org www.aafp.org/membership/welcome-center/involve/
connect/constituencies-forums/img.html
• To request a USMLE/ECFMG identification number from
the ECFMG • Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) ERAS
https://secure2.ecfmg.org/usmleidrequest/ Timeline for IMG Residency
usmleidrequestnavigator.aspx https://students-residents.aamc.org/eras-tools-and-
worksheets-residency-applicants/2024-eras-residency-
• Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) listing of
timeline-international-medical-graduates-img
state-specific requirements
https://www.fsmb.org/step-3/state-licensure/ • ECFMG Information Booklet
https://www.ecfmg.org/resources/publications.html#ib
• United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®)
www.usmle.org • ECFMG Reference Guide for Medical Education Credentials
www.ecfmg.org/certification/reference-guide.html
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
www.ecfmg.org • ECFMG Reporter (free newsletter)
www.ecfmg.org/reporter/
• ERAS Support Services
https://www.ecfmg.org/eras/ • Federation of State Medical Boards
www.fsmb.org
• NRMP detailed applicant registration steps
www.nrmp.org/applicant-registration/ • World Directory of Medical Schools
www.wdoms.org
• NRMP’s report, Charting Outcomes in the Match for
International Medical Graduates
www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Charting-
visa information
Outcomes-IMG-2022_Final.pdf • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• AMA International Medical Graduates (IMG) toolkit www.uscis.gov
https://www.ama-assn.org/education/international- • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
medical-education/international-medical-graduates-img- www.dhs.gov
toolkit-introduction
graduate medical education resources
video overviews • AAFP Family Medicine Residency Directory
www.aafp.org/residencies
• NRMP Match Process for IMGs
https://youtu.be/afYMtWSKSNQ?si=HHivKY_H9eeaQrl9 • Association of American Medical Colleges/Electronic
Residency Application Service (ERAS®)
• 2024 IMG ECFMG changes
www.aamc.org/eras
https://youtu.be/GiqqVkiSCCA?si=Z7KE8wA9axYJYcmo
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
• Timeline and checklist for 2024 Match cycle for IMGs
www.ecfmg.org
https://youtu.be/AFOhGKLldtY?si=QAzs8-uxPdaDk4P8
• FREIDA Online™, AMA Residency & Fellowship Database®
https://www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-
residency/freida
• National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®)
www.nrmp.org

SECTION 7: GENERAL RESOURCES
ONLINE RESIDENCY DIRECTORIES
• AAFP Family Medicine Residency Directory
www.aafp.org/residencies
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Program Search
https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search
• AAMC Residency Explorer Tool – explore and compare your profile to applicants who matched at
each program
www.residencyexplorer.org/Account/Login
• AAMC FindAResident—assists programs with filling unanticipated vacancies and helps applicants
identify residency and fellowship opportunities not available via ERAS or NRMP
www.aamc.org/findaresident
• FREIDA Online™, American Medical Association (AMA) Residency & Fellowship Database®
www.ama-assn.org/medical-students/preparing-residency/freida
• Visiting Student Learning Opportunities™ (VSLO™)
https://students-residents.aamc.org/visiting-student-learning-opportunities/
visiting-student-learning-opportunities-vslo
OTHER WEBSITES
• AAMC Careers in Medicine®
www.aamc.org/cim
Includes a self-assessment tool for considering specialty choice
• AAMC Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools (FIRST)
https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-aid/
Financial resources for medical students, including information on the cost of applying for medical
residency
• AAMC Report on Residents
www.aamc.org/data-reports/students-residents/report/report-residents
Includes information on characteristics of applicants and residents and post-residency professional
activities
• Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs)
www.aafp.org/fmig
• NRMP Main Resident Match Data
www.nrmp.org/main-residency-match-data/
Includes reports on Match outcomes and surveys from program directors that examine the factors
they use to select applicants

JOURNALS
• American Family Physician, American Academy of Family Physicians
www.aafp.org/afp
ORGANIZATIONS
STROLLING
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
www.acgme.org
• American Academy of Family Physicians
www.aafp.org
• American Medical Association
THROUGH
www.ama-assn.org
THE MATCH
• Association of American Medical Colleges/Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®)
www.aamc.org/eras
2024-2025
• National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®)
www.nrmp.org
E-GUIDES
• Choosing a Medical Specialty, hosted by the AMA
www.ama-assn.org/residents-students/career-planning-resource/choosing-medical-specialty
• Applying to Residencies with ERAS
https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/applying-residencies-eras/

Take the Lead
You’ll find lots of opportunities through the
AAFP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the
AAFP, that develop leadership skills and enhance
your medical career journey.
Learn more on the Foundation’s website about:
• Emerging Leader Institute, a year-long
leadership program
• International Resident Scholarship
• Resident Service Awards
• Student and Resident
Essay Contest
• National Conference
scholarships
• Other grants and awards
Gain experiences
that check off both
professional and
personal goals.
FND 22121386
aafpfoundation.org/match
Connect with program directors 1:1.
Learn interview best practices.
Explore 500+ opportunities in one location.
YOU
BELONG at
REGISTER NOW
AUGUST 1–3 | KANSAS CITY, MO
AAFP.ORG/NCMatch
succeed TOGETHER WE
THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

With a FREE AAFP membership, you’ll gain access to the
tools you need to succeed in med school.
CONNECT
Explore the specialty
PREP
Download our app to
LEARN
Enjoy unlimited online and
and get support from a use Match resources and a mobile access to the peer-
network of cross-country Qbank of more than 1,300 reviewed medical journal
peers who get it. Board-style questions. American Family Physician.
JOIN TODAY
aafp.org/student
MBR23111350
Empower Your Match Journey
Listen up, Study up Find Your Match Ace Interviews
S p i r a l b i n d o n t h e b o o k g o e s h e re
Take AAFP’s clinical education tools and Match resources

with you everywhere you go with the AAFP mobile app.
Your free membership with the AAFP unlocks all the
features designed for the future do-it-all doctor.
Download the AAFP mobile app today.
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STROLLING

Finalize elective rotations

strolling through the match

Complete profile on MyERAS application

Register with NRMP (opens September 15)

MSPE (dean’s letter) released to programs in MyERAS ✔

Schedule program interviews

Choose and submit a rank list

SOAP process opens Monday of Match Week ✔

Match Day for Main Residency Match—third Friday in March ✔

In addition to reading Strolling Through the Match, visit www.aafp.org/match

Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) Thornton E. Bryan, MD

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 3

4 | strolling through the match

Figure 1............... Breakdown of SOAP Participants in 2023

Table 1................. Licensing Requirements

About the American Academy of Family Physicians

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 5

This guidebook is not a publication of the National Resident Matching

The format of Strolling Through the Match is designed to let you

Tell Us What You Think

6 | strolling through the match

What Is the Match? STEP 1

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 7

How Does the Match Work?

BASIC RULES OF THE MATCH STROLLING

8 | strolling through the match

What Are My Chances of Matching?

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 9

figure 1. Breakdown of SOAP Participants in 2023

10 | strolling through the match

Not everyone will match to a position. Your dean’s office is prepared to

More detailed information on the SOAP is available at

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 11

Don't Skip Straight to the SOAP

AFTER YOU MATCH

12 | strolling through the match

POST-MATCH ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

resources and review

• Main Residency Match All in Policy

• Family medicine results from the 2023 NRMP Match

• Results and data from the 2023 Main Residency Match

• NRMP SOAP information

• Finances in residency and early career

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 13

14 | strolling through the match

Explore More at National Conference

Since family medicine is such an all-encompassing specialty, attending National Conference

Primary Care Primary care physicians::

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 15

Four C’s of Primary Care

16 | strolling through the match

New Residency Requirements for Family Medicine

The new requirements can be found on the ACGME’s website at

the medical student’s guide to family medicine residency selection 2024–2025 | 17

figure 2. Primary Care Specialty by Type of Care

18 | strolling through the match

Osteopathic Principles and Practice/Osteopathic