The San Francisco Match Program: Alternative to the NRMP
There are not many residency programs that are available to international medical graduates in the United States.
The National Residency Match Program – NRMP – is the primary one for IMGs to apply for residency positions.
However, there is an alternative program.
The San Francisco Match Program is one alternative program that offers matches for both residency and fellowship positions in the US.
There are about twenty-two (22) specialties that the San Francisco Match Program works with.
The program has been around for 40 years.
Each specialty has different dates for applications. However, all positions – whether resident or fellow – start in July of the next calendar year. So if you apply in 2022, the position will begin in 2023.
Residency Positions
As of 2022, there are only 2 specialties that have residency programs offered by the San Francisco Match Program.
They are:
OPTHALMOLOGY
PLASTIC SURGERY
Opthalmology (eyes)
The San Francisco Match Program offers a chance to do an opthalmology residency program with institutions that participate in the match.
International medical graduates will need Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification in order to apply.
Residency programs will be 4 years.
Applications are submitted through the San Francisco Match Program portal site, the Central Application Service, otherwise known as CAS.
The application fee is $150 and the CAS fee is $60.
You will also need to take an assessment called the Altus Suite. This assessment has three components.
- Judgement-based assessment
- One-way video interview
- Values-based assessment
Application period opens: July 1, 2022
Plastic Surgery
The San Francisco Match Program allows candidates to apply for plastic surgery residency positions.
The process is the same. Applicants go through the CAS system, and the same fees apply.
There is no Altus Suite for this residency match.
For 2022, there is no match opening. Please check back again for updates.
Fellowship Positions
As stated, the San Francisco Match Program offers 22 fellowship positions.
The fees will vary depending on the program; typically, they run from $50 to $100. The fee for the CAS system is also $60.
Each program has requirements based on the specialty society or organization’s guidelines and requirements for education and training. It is important to check the requirements before applying through the San Francisco Match Program.
Opthalmology Fellowship applications open on July 1, 2022.
Plastic Surgery Fellowship applications open on September 20, 2022.
Is the San Francisco Match Program Right For You?
This question is a valid one.
The San Francisco Match Program overlaps with the NRMP one in many ways. Some candidates apply through both pathways, depending on the program.
The specialty organizations still maintain strict education and experience requirements.
As there are only 2 residencies available, it is not a solid course for most IMGs, or AMGs, for that matter.
For fellowships, there are some good pathways for doctors looking to directly go into fields.
Urology Match
As of 2022, there is no information about a match program for urology residency or fellowship through the American Urological Association.
Final Thoughts
For IMGs, the NRMP is the best option for you.
The NRMP simply offers a lot of chances and residencies to go for. It is more streamlined, and as they work specifically with the ECFMG and other institutions as well, all your information goes to one place.
For more information, please check out the official sites.
SFMatch.org https://sfmatch.org
For those of you preparing for the NRMP, here is a guide to preparing for your interviews.
