Match 2025

By: Dr. Loretta Jackson

In the January newsletter, we published the article "The Changing Landscape of Residency Applications" to acknowledge the new processes and systems which are currently in place and impact the residency application process. In addition to those new processes and systems, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) has recently announced that this year's match was the largest in its history with a total of 52,498 applicants with 47,208 who submitted a certified rank order list. These 47,208 active applicants competed for the 43,237 training positions offered through the NRMP. The number of applicants and the number of positions increased this year compared to last year. MD seniors from the US, which are the appropriate comparison group for our students, were the largest number of applicants at 20,368 This group had a match rate of 93.5%.

Our Class of 2025 surpassed this national MD match rate with an initial match rate of 94.2% which improved to 100% after SOAP. This is the culmination of significant work and commitment by the students, faculty, and staff. The students are pursuing 29 different specialties including Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Of the 156 students in the class, 50% matched in a primary care specialty (PED, FM, IM, IM/PED, Ob/Gyn) and 45% will stay in Mississippi for at least the first year of residency training. The students matched as far north as Minnesota, as far south as Florida, as far west as California, and as far east as Virginia.

For those who have never attended, there are several traditional and fun activities done during the School of Medicine Match Ceremony. This includes providing a new stethoscope to the first student called who matches at UMMC, a UMMC t-shirt to the student who matches the farthest from UMMC, a diploma frame to the student who is next to the last student called to the stage, and a physician bag to the student who is called last to the stage that is filled with $5 bills that all students participating in the ceremony contribute. In addition, the Office of Alumni Affairs provides a wonderful reception following the ceremony. The Office of Student Affairs manages this celebration and welcome support from those who wish to contribute to this memorable event. Our own Dr. Mike McMullan leads these efforts.

One specific group that should also be mentioned are the program directors and the faculty on the education team around them. This group serves double duty as faculty for our students and leaders of their residency programs. We cannot thank them enough for the collaborative work that they have done which allows us to effectively counsel our students. The residency programs did well in the match this year. All of the categorical programs except Family Medicine filled this year. Across the nation Family Medicine had a lower fill rate of 85% compared to last year.

Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue to develop the physician workforce for Mississippi. Thanks everyone!