NRMP Program Director Survey Results 2024

In March 2024, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) conducted its biennial Program Director Survey to understand the key criteria program directors use to (1) select applicants for Residency Interviews and (2) rank them for the Main Residency Match®. This survey is done every two years and was last conducted in 2022. Unlike previous years, the 2024 survey removed questions related to the virtual recruitment prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a return to more traditional recruitment practices.
The survey was distributed to program directors who submitted a rank order list for the 2024 Main Residency Match. It was conducted during the 11-day period between the Rank Order List Certification Deadline and Match Week, ensuring that the responses were not influenced by match outcomes.
Survey Overview
The 2024 survey covered several domains to capture comprehensive data on how residency program directors select and rank applicants. The survey focused on the following key areas:
  1. Selection and Ranking Behaviors:
    • The number of applications received, rejected, reviewed, invited for interviews, and ranked.
    • Frequency of interviews and ranking by applicant types (U.S. MD, DO, IMGs, etc.).
  2. Medical Licensure Exam Results:
    • Evaluation of USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK results used to assess candidates across different applicant categories.
  3. Importance of Selection Factors:
    • Program directors rated how often and how important specific criteria were for interview and ranking decisions.
In 2024, new areas of focus included:
  • Preference signals used in the application process.
  • The impact of the USMLE pass/fail transition.
  • The influence of holistic review and interview modalities on decisions.

Survey Response and Specialty Breakdown​

The overall response rate across all specialties was 18.0% (N = 1,150). Below is a summary of response rates for key specialties:
Specialty
Surveys Sent
Number Responding
Response Rate
Family Medicine
795​
178
​22.4%
​Internal Medicine
1126
147
​13.1%
​Pediatrics
​279
​65
​23.3%
​Psychiatry
​382
​73
​​19.1%
Neurology
204
​37
​18.1%
Pathology
177
38
​21.5%
Specialties with fewer than 10 responses were grouped into the “All Others” category, including some combined programs (e.g., Emergency Medicine/Anesthesiology).

​Key Findings

1. Applicant Selection Behaviors:
  • Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, General Surgery, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry were the specialties receiving the highest number of applications.
  • The most interview invitations and ranked applicants were found in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, and Family Medicine.
2. Interview and Ranking Behaviors by Applicant Type:
  • U.S. MD Seniors: 100% of program directors in specialties such as Child Neurology, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Neurological Surgery, and others indicated they frequently interview and rank U.S. MD seniors.
  • U.S. DO Seniors: Specialties such as Family Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Emergency Medicine, and Pathology showed strong preferences for interviewing and ranking U.S. DO seniors.
  • IMGs: Internal Medicine, Pathology, and Neurology had a high frequency of interviewing and ranking IMGs, particularly Family Medicine for U.S. IMGs.
3. Selecting Applicants to Interview and Rank:
  • For interviews, the top factors were:
    • USMLE Step 1 pass rate (90%, M = 4.5)
    • MSPE/Dean’s Letter (85%, M = 4.1)
    • Specialty-specific letters of recommendation (84%, M = 4.2)
  • For ranking, the most important factors included:
    • Interpersonal skills (89%, M = 4.8)
    • Interview performance (87%, M = 4.8)
    • Feedback from current residents (76%, M = 4.6)
Interestingly, only 23% of program directors considered a Match violation flag in the interview process, but it received the highest importance rating (M = 4.8 for interviews, M = 4.7 for ranking).

Conclusion

The 2024 NRMP Program Director Survey provides essential insights into how program directors approach the residency selection process. Some trends, such as the importance of interpersonal skills and licensure exam performance, remain consistent, while newer factors, such as holistic reviews and the impact of the USMLE pass/fail transition, reflect the evolving landscape of medical education. These findings are invaluable for applicants navigating the competitive residency match process.
For more detailed insights and data, explore the full 2024 NRMP Program Director Survey Report.