Every year on the third Friday in March, thousands of fourth-year medical students across the U.S. simultaneously learn where they will spend their residency training. An eagerly anticipated event for medical students, Match Day is one of the most emotional and celebrated days of their medical education—without residency training medical school graduates cannot become licensed physicians.
Once again in compliance with guidelines from Dartmouth College and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding social gatherings to limit the spread of COVID-19, Geisel Medical School celebrated Match Day via Zoom. On March 19, 97 graduating medical students learned where they will begin their residency.
“In the months leading up to this year’s Match Day, there was still a glimmer of hope that we might be able to celebrate together in person. However, it became clear that a virtual ceremony was the safest option,” said Nicolina (Nina) Mascia ’21. “Fortunately, we had time to carefully craft a ceremony that was special for everyone—a day of celebration, excitement, and love that we shared with our loved ones and virtually together. Everyone has much to celebrate, and I feel so grateful and excited to watch my class continue to thrive as physicians! In a few short months, we will go out, do good, and help people. After all, that’s why so many of us started this journey in the first place.”
After acknowledging the unconditional support family and friends have given to the students throughout their training, Geisel Dean Duane Compton, PhD, said, “It’s time for me to be the first one to congratulate each of you on your match. On behalf of all the faculty and staff that have been there to support you, challenge you, and nurture you, I want to tell you that we are exceedingly proud of each one of you … and what you have accomplished during your time here. We know you are going to do great things wherever the next step takes you.”
The Match® is an intense process where medical students submit their residency choices via a computer program managed by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)—residency programs also submit lists of applicants in order of preference. The lists are then compared against each other utilizing the NRMP’s computer algorithm, matching students to their residency program. This year, 48,700 U.S. and international medical students and graduates vied for 38,106 residency positions, the most ever offered since the first national Match® in 1952. Along with a record high of 5,915 programs.
Primary care, which includes residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, internal medicine-primary care, and pediatrics, remained strong among Geisel students. General surgery and orthopedic surgery were the next most popular specialties. California, Massachusetts, and New York remained the most popular destinations.
Members of Geisel’s class of 2021 will begin their residencies at some of the most prestigious programs in the U.S., including Harvard/Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and many others.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021! Check out our 2021 Match event video below.
