MedCentralMatch Day 2024 Results: One Specialty Sets Record

Record-Breaking Match Day 2024 Highlights Evolving Trends in Medical Residency Placement

Match Day 2024 marked a historic moment for medical students nationwide, setting new records in applicant numbers and certified positions, reflecting evolving trends and challenges within the medical field. This year’s results from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) not only signify a milestone in medical education but also shed light on the shifting dynamics in specialty preferences and the ongoing efforts to address healthcare workforce shortages.

Key Points:

• The 2024 Main Residency Match was the largest in the NRMP’s 72-year history, with 44,853 applicants and 41,503 certified positions across 6,395 residency programs.
• There was a 4.4% increase in applicants and a 2.8% increase in certified positions compared to the previous year.
• The overall fill rate for available positions was 93.8%, a slight increase from the previous year’s 93.3%.
• US MD seniors maintained a consistent match rate of 93.5%, while US DO seniors reached an all-time high match rate of 92.3%.
• International medical graduates (IMGs) experienced a slight decrease in match rates, with US citizens at 67% and non-US citizens at 58.5%.
• A record 19,423 primary care positions were offered, accounting for 46.8% of all positions, to address the physician shortage, with a fill rate of 92.9%.
• Notable fill rate increases were observed in internal medicine/emergency medicine, thoracic surgery, and otolaryngology, among others.
• Emergency medicine saw a significant rebound in its fill rate to 95.5%, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
• Obstetrics and gynecology continued a five-year streak of matching more than 99% of applicants, demonstrating consistent interest and demand in the field.

“We are especially proud of applicants this year, many of whom began medical school the fall before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and had to quickly adapt to and thrive in a radically changed academic and training landscape. Their experiences and success speak to a remarkable resilience and dedication they will carry with them into practice.”
– Donna L. Lamb, DHSc, MBA, BSN; NRMP President and CEO

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