Short answer: rank every program where you interviewed and would truly be willing to train, in the order you actually prefer them, not in the order you think you will match. Leave out any program you would not accept, check each program’s track and visa sponsorship, and certify your list in the NRMP R3 system well before 9 p.m. ET on March 3, 2027.
Your rank order list (ROL) is the last major decision of the Match. After months of applications and interviews, it decides where you will spend the next three or more years. Many applicants, especially international medical graduates (IMGs), worry about “gaming” the list. You cannot game it, and trying usually hurts. This guide explains how the list works, how to order it, and the mistakes our physician advisors see most often.
Key rank order list dates for Match 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| January 29, 2027 | Standard NRMP registration deadline (late fee after this) |
| February 1, 2027 | Rank order list entry opens in the R3 system |
| March 3, 2027, 9 p.m. ET | Rank order list certification deadline. Also the deadline for IMGs to meet ECFMG verification requirements |
| March 15, 2027 | You learn whether you matched. SOAP begins for eligible applicants |
| March 19, 2027 | Match Day |
Dates are from the NRMP 2027 Main Residency Match calendar. Always confirm on the NRMP website, as dates can change. See our full application timeline for the rest of the season.
How the Match uses your list
You and every program each submit a ranked list to the NRMP. The matching algorithm then tries to place you in the most preferred program on your list that also ranked you highly enough to offer you a position. In plain terms, the algorithm works in your favour: if a program you ranked higher also wants you, you will match there rather than at a program you ranked lower.
This is why the NRMP itself advises applicants to rank programs in order of true preference, not perceived chances of matching. Moving your dream program lower because you think it is “out of reach” does not raise your chances anywhere else. It only means you could miss a program you would have matched at.
Step 1: Review every interview while it is fresh
Make notes within a day of each interview. By February, programs blur together. Score each program on the same factors so you can compare them fairly:
- Training quality: clinical volume, teaching, board pass rates and where graduates go next.
- Fit and culture: how residents described the program, and how supported you felt on interview day.
- Career goals: fellowship placement, research opportunities and mentorship in your area of interest.
- Location and life: family, cost of living, community and support network.
- Visa: whether the program sponsors the visa you need (J-1 or H-1B). This is essential for many IMGs.
Step 2: Rank in your true order of preference
Put the program you most want to train at first, then the next, and so on. Ask yourself one simple question for each pair: “If both offered me a position, which would I choose?”
It is fine to rank a “reach” program first if you interviewed there. If a program told you that you are “ranked to match”, it is still best to rank by your own preference. Programs and applicants can both express interest, but under NRMP rules no one can ask you how you will rank, and statements of interest are not binding.
Step 3: Check your list carefully
- Only rank programs you would accept. A match is a binding commitment, so leave off any program where you would not be willing and able to train.
- Do not rank programs where you did not interview. Programs only rank applicants they have interviewed, so no match can happen there.
- Include enough programs. Rank every acceptable program where you interviewed. A short list is the main reason applicants go unmatched.
- Check tracks and program codes. Many programs have several tracks, such as categorical, preliminary or primary care. Make sure you rank the right one.
- Advanced positions? If you rank PGY-2 advanced positions, you can add a supplemental list of PGY-1 preliminary positions.
- Mind the fees. Up to 20 unique programs on your primary list are included in your registration. Ranking more is allowed but adds a fee.
Step 4: Certify early, and re-certify after any change
A list only counts once it is certified in the R3 system. You will see your status change from “Ranking” to “Certified” and receive a confirmation email. You can still edit the list until the deadline, but any change must be certified again or it will not be used. Do not wait until the final evening, when the system and your internet connection may let you down.
Extra steps for IMGs
- ECFMG requirements: you must meet the ECFMG verification requirements by the rank order list deadline of March 3, 2027 to take part in the Match. Check your status with ECFMG well before then. Our USMLE and ECFMG guide explains the basics.
- Visa sponsorship: confirm with each program which visas it sponsors before you rank it.
- Have a SOAP plan: if you are worried about matching, prepare your documents for SOAP now, so you are ready if you need it in Match Week.
Not sure how to order your list?
Book a residency strategy consultation with a Resiyay physician advisor. We will go through your interviews, priorities and visa needs, and help you build a list you feel confident certifying.
Common rank order list mistakes
- Ranking by where you think you will match instead of where you want to train.
- Leaving the list too short, or leaving off acceptable programs you interviewed at.
- Ranking a program you would not actually accept.
- Ranking the wrong track or a program that does not sponsor your visa.
- Changing the list after certifying and forgetting to re-certify.
- Waiting until the last few hours before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How many programs should I rank?
Rank every program where you interviewed and would be willing to train. Ranking more acceptable programs does not hurt your chances at the programs at the top of your list.
Can I change my rank order list after certifying it?
Yes, until 9 p.m. ET on March 3, 2027. But any change means you must certify the list again, or the new version will not be used.
Should I tell a program it is my first choice?
You can send a letter of intent to the one program that is truly your first choice. Never tell more than one program they are your first choice. See our letter of intent guide.
What if I only had a few interviews?
Rank every acceptable program you interviewed at, consider ranking a back-up specialty if you interviewed in one, and prepare for SOAP in case you need it. A strategy session can help you plan.
