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Matching Rules

The Matching Process was developed to allow applicants to Residency and Fellowship training to visit and evaluate various training programs is a systematic fashion without the pressure of being asked for a commitment before the evaluation process is completed. At the conclusion of their evaluation process, applicants can rank programs in a confidential fashion with the opportunity to match to the best available program.

These rules were prepared to ensure the integrity of the Matching process. Violations may well result in loss of opportunity for both applicants and programs to achieve the best possible match. If one becomes aware of violations of these rules, they should be reported to the SF Match Office. All reports regarding violations will be kept confidential. Violations of these rules by program directors or faculty may result in penalty actions regarding participation in the Matching process.

Rules for Program Directors:

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
Both the program and the applicant formally commit to accepting a position with any one of the rank choices listed. Both parties are bound by the results of the match. However, an applicant’s actual entry into the training program (and continuation in it) is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisite training, any special requirements the program may have stated explicitly for all applicants and satisfactory performance during training.

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

Rules for Applicants:

Match participants make the following binding agreement:

I am solely responsible for the choices on my rank list and for the match outcome resulting for those choices.

I understand that no participating training program has the right to require that I state how I shall rank that program on my confidential rank list, nor do I have a right to demand that any program inform me how it plans to rank me.

I understand that I cannot avoid accepting an appointment to which I have been matched without a written release from the applicable program. I also understand that another program cannot offer a position to me unless I have this release. I understand that releases are not automatic and my actions may be challenged.

By submitting a rank list, both the applicants’ choices and the program directors choices 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 I obtain a position in this match, I 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.

I declare that I have no obligations (e.g. military) which might prevent me from accepting a position if offered;

I authorize SF Match the use any information I have provided in any study approved by its SF Match, provided that no information clearly and uniquely identifies me is disclosed in reports resulting from such a study.

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