How many residency programs should a medical student apply to? While it’s not the million-dollar question, considering that application totals cost applicants both time and money, it is one with high stakes.
Looking at figures from recent application cycles, the numbers of applications filed—while varying widely by specialty—is higher than it was five years ago. But interventions implemented by many specialties are showing promise as strategies to lower application numbers and improve the process for residency applicants and residency programs.
The AMA helps medical students master the residency application process so you can make the right decisions about your career, prepare for interviews, explore residency opportunities—all so you can successfully match.
As applicants embark on the residency selection process, FREIDA™, the AMA Residency and Fellowship Database®, is a comprehensive resources that includes information on more than 13,000 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited residency programs and offers a streamlined user experience.
Additionally, the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Residency Explorer tool offers detailed insight into over 5,000 programs across 25 specialties that applicants can use to evaluate their competitiveness and compare against previous applicant pools.
What is average?
2023 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) —the most recent year for which application data by applicant type is available—the average number of applications to all specialties for graduates of MD-granting public medical schools was 74 (rounded to the nearest whole number). The figure was 71 for graduates of private MD-granting medical schools. The average application total for graduates of DO-granting medical schools in 2023 was 93. International medical graduates (IMGs) averaged 144 applications.
Specialty-specific data from the 2024 Match cycle portends that when final numbers are released by applicant type, they are likely to be down—significantly in some specialties.
In 2024, MD applicants, on average, submitted the most applications in:
- Radiology (diagnostic)—74.
- Neurological surgery—69.
- Orthopaedic surgery—65.
- Psychiatry—62.
- Ob-gyn—62.
In 2024, DO applicants, on average, submitted the most applications in:
- Psychiatry—80.
- Radiology—77.
- Ob-gyn—75.
- General surgery—71.
- Neurological surgery—69.
In 2024, IMG applicants, on average, submitted the most applications in:
- Internal Medicine—107.
- Surgery—74.
- Ob-gyn—69.
- Neurological surgery—67.
- Diagnostic radiology—61.
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The signaling effect
Many specialties saw significant drops in applications in 2024. That can, at least in part, be attributed to the expansion of program signaling— a system that allows applicants to indicate interest in a limited number of residency programs when they submit their applications.
Family medicine used program signaling for the first time during the 2024 application cycle. With signaling implemented, year over year application totals dipped 10 percent with an increase in program signaling.
At least 20 specialties will be using program signaling as part of their application process during the 2025 application cycle. The process differs by specialty, so it’s best to do some research on how each will use signals.
During a recent episode of “AMA Update” Deborah Clements, MD, a former family medicine residency program director who now chairs the board of National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), offered insight on how applicants can best use their signals.
“Use your signals to express your true interest at the time of your application. We understand it's just the beginning of the process,” said Dr. Clements, an AMA member. “And you're operating under assumptions just like we are. You may choose to rank us further down your list or not at all once you are through the process. But signaling sends us an intention that might increase your odds of being offered an interview.”
Dive deeper:
- Application tips, tricks from doctor who oversees the Match
- 4 tips for residency applicants to wisely use program signals
- Applying for residency programs: Fourth-year med students' essential checklist
- The top questions to ask before you submit your residency application
- When it comes to submitting residency applications, cast a wide net
