Mayo Medical School Students to Participate in "Match Day" on March 19

Monday, March 16, 2009

WHAT: Students in Mayo Medical School's class of 2009, along with approximately 16,000 medical school seniors throughout the United States, are awaiting Match Day on Thursday, March 19. That day, they learn where they will undertake their residency training.

The ceremonial opening of envelopes on March 19 reveals the results of a two-way selection process: matching the top choices for residency programs among medical students to the top choices for residents among residency programs throughout the United States.

The Match Day event also marks each participant's progression from student to practicing physician. Becoming a physician is a long and rigorous academic pursuit, requiring four years of medical school and three to 11 years of residency and fellowship training.

Mayo Medical School was established in 1972, and accepts 50 students from more than 3,700 applicants annually. Mayo Medical School has a 100 percent graduation rate, and more than 90 percent of its senior students annually "match" within their top three residency choices.

WHO: This year, 33 Mayo Medical School seniors will participate in Match Day. Students will gather for a reception at 11 a.m. Envelopes containing the all-important residency information will be handed out at noon.

Local media are invited to attend. Students will be available for interviews between 11:15 and 11:55 a.m. Please contact John Murphy at 507-284-5005 to confirm attendance.

WHEN: Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Mayo Foundation House, 701 Fourth Street S.W., Rochester

Residency matches are coordinated by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), a private, not-for-profit corporation established in 1952 to provide a uniform date of appointment to positions in graduate medical education throughout the United States. The system is designed to ensure equity and fairness for all students and training programs. Match Day takes place at the same time on the same day for all graduating U.S. medical students. NRMP is sponsored by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Hospital Association, and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

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