NRMP Rule change

[studentMD]

heres a copy of a letter from the AMSA NRMP Rep
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Hello all,

Please read below for information on the NRMP's decision to DELAY implementation of a proposed rule change. This chance would have required all institutions that have any programs in the Match to list ALL of the positions at ALL of its programs in the Match. The reason behind this proposed change is to create the same rules for all applicants. As the Match currently stands, independent applicants (including international medical graduates) are free to accept positions outside of the Match, while U.S. seniors are not.

Thanks,

Matt Oster
AMSA Representative to the NRMP

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At its May 12, 2003 meeting, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Board of Directors voted to delay implementation of the new NRMP rule previously scheduled to become effective with the 2004 Main Match. The rule would have required all institutions that register for the Main Match to place all their residency programs and positions in the Match.

The delay in implementation is the result of recommendations and comments received over the past eighteen months from NRMP participating institutions, programs, program director organizations, medical schools and applicants. The Board will study the effects of three major issues:

1) changes in the processing and timely acquisition of visas for international medical graduates;
2) limiting the rule to PGY1 positions
3) making the rule program-based rather than institution-based, e.g., all programs (not institutions) registered for the Main Match must place all their positions in the Match.

[BellKicker]

Wow, that's interesting.

Does anyone know how long this delay is going to take?

I can't figure out whether it's a good or a bad thing for IMGs, though. It seems more fair without pre-matches. In the end, it's the same amount of seats up for grabs.

[bts4202]

HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks studentmd

[BellKicker]

Why is that neccesarily a good thing? I can see how it's nice for the ones that sign pre-matches but it's bound to hurt some other people.

I guess it makes it important to spread out the interviews, though.

[bts4202]

The reason it is a good thing is that IMG's have an opportunity to get residencies without entering direct competition with the US grads. I know that sounds crappy, but it is an advantage for IMGs because US students are not allowed to go outside the MATCH.

If a foriegn student does any clinicals in the states, that person has the opportunity to impress the director of teh program with their knowledge and skill, then if the director wants to, they can sign a contract then and there. It takes the stress and fear out of the match because you already have something. It is also good for the program because that is one less spot that they have to gamble with in the match. If they don't fill their spots than they will loose money. This way, both the program and the student win.

All this being said, it may be harder to get a prestigous program to sign outside the match if they know they always fill their spots, but the possibility is still there if you really "wow" them.

[jim]

though it may be nice, i havent seen it posted anywhere else, so, no offense, but i dont believe it. i know on interviews after the date mentioned, i was told by residency directors that prematch was over. i actually matched into my number 1 choice without any problems, even though they had never had a prematch, as they had never even interviewed a FMG. when i had asked for a prematch, they were kinda freaked out by the possible repurcussions. said they had never even been in the position before, and now that they were , they had a fear of screwing up the rules.

[bts4202]

http://www.nrmp.org/newruledelay.pdf