Match Rules

Applicants and Programs who participate in the match are bound by the following rules:

Appointments
The participating programs agree not to make any appointments prior to the match. Positions that remain vacant after the match may be filled by direct negotiation between program directors and applicants. These positions may be listed on the Vacancy Information System.

Confidential Ranking Lists
All ranking lists are confidential. The matching program will not reveal how any applicant ranked any program, nor how any program ranked any applicant.

Statements of Intent
If made, such statements must be unilateral, voluntary, and unconditional. Neither party may ask the other for a commitment. A statement like: "I will rank you first if you rank me first" is against the matching rules. A statement like: "You are among the best programs/applicants I have seen so far; I appreciate meeting you regardless of how you will rank me" is permitted.

Binding Commitment
By signing your rank list you formally commit yourself to accept a position in any one of the programs you have listed. Both parties are bound by the results of the match. However, your actual entry into the training program (and your continuation in it) is contingent upon your satisfactory completion of the usual prerequisite training, any special requirements the program may have stated explicitly for all applicants, and satisfactory performance during your training.

Violations
Observed violations of the matching rules must be reported to the Match Director, who will forward information to the sponsoring organization.

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Match participants make the following binding agreement when they sign and submit their rank list form:

You are solely responsible for the choices on my rank list and for the match outcome resulting from those choices.
Your certification form and the program director's certification form make the match result a binding commitment;
However; Any offer made is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisite training as generally required and special requirements if specified by a particular training program;
If you obtain a position in this match, you will withdraw from all other matches in post-graduate medicine that compete and conflict with this match. I agree that Match results may be sent other formal matching programs as notice of action under their respective rules.
You declare that I have no obligations (e.g. military) which might prevent me from accepting a position if offered;
I authorize the matching service to use any information I have provided the matching service in any study approved by the matching service, provided that no information clearly and uniquely identifiable from me is disclosed in reports resulting from such a study.