Violations And Misconduct: Defining Match Infringements

what constitutes as a violation of the match

Match violations can have severe repercussions on applicants, including being banned from the match for life. The NRMP requires all match participants to behave in an ethical and professionally responsible manner. Alleged breaches of match policy are taken seriously and are subject to violation investigations. Violations include an applicant not withdrawing from the match and applying for, discussing, interviewing for, or accepting a concurrent year position after the Rank Order List Certification Deadline. Other violations include a program asking an applicant to reveal identifying information about other programs they have applied to or plan to apply to, or offering a position to an applicant who is matched to a concurrent year position in another program.

Characteristics Values
Applicants not withdrawing from the NRMP match Securing a position during the AOA Scramble
Applicants applying for, discussing, interviewing for, or accepting a concurrent year position After the Rank Order List Certification Deadline and/or Match Day
Applicants initiating contact outside of ERAS during SOAP N/A
Programs asking applicants to reveal the names, specialties, geographic location, or other identifying information about other programs N/A
Programs offering a position to an applicant matched to a concurrent year position in another program N/A
Applicants failing to start training without first obtaining permission from NRMP N/A
Applicants not obtaining a waiver from NRMP N/A
Applicants failing to honour a match N/A
Applicants resigning within 45 days of the appointment contract start date N/A
Applicants contacting a program about a position during the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program N/A

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Applicants must not apply for, discuss, interview for, or accept a concurrent year position after the Rank Order List deadline

Applicants are strictly prohibited from applying for, discussing, interviewing for, or accepting a concurrent year position after the Rank Order List deadline. This is a serious violation of NRMP policy, which requires all Match participants to behave in an ethical and professionally responsible manner.

The NRMP takes alleged breaches of Match policy very seriously, and suspected violations should be reported to the designated email address. Applicants found in violation of this policy may face sanctions, including being barred from accepting or starting a position in any program sponsored by a Match-participating institution, or even being barred from participation in future NRMP Matches.

It is important to note that applicants are expected to honour the Match and see it through. If an applicant expresses a loss of interest in a program, they are expected to request a waiver from the NRMP, who will review the case individually. Without this waiver, applicants are obligated to proceed with the Match.

To avoid any misunderstandings, applicants should familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations of the Match process, including the deadlines for the Rank Order List and the procedures for obtaining a waiver. By adhering to these guidelines, applicants can ensure they are acting in compliance with NRMP policies and maintaining the professional standards expected of them.

In summary, applying for, discussing, interviewing for, or accepting a concurrent year position after the Rank Order List deadline is a significant violation that can have repercussions on an applicant's participation in the Match and their future opportunities. It is crucial for applicants to conduct themselves ethically and responsibly throughout the entire process.

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Applicants must not initiate contact outside of ERAS during SOAP

It is essential to understand the NRMP's policies and guidelines to avoid any violations during the SOAP process. Here are some detailed instructions and explanations regarding the requirement that applicants must not initiate contact outside of ERAS during SOAP:

  • Understanding the ERAS System: ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) is a platform used for residency applications. It is a centralized system that allows applicants to submit their applications, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and other supporting documents. All applications and materials pertaining to the SOAP process must go through ERAS.
  • Communication Policies during SOAP: During the SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program) process, applicants must not initiate any form of communication with residency programs outside of the ERAS system. This includes verbal, written, or electronic communication. Applicants must wait for programs to initiate contact after they have applied through ERAS. Any unauthorized contact initiated by the applicant may result in a finding of a Match Violation, and programs are required to report such instances to the NRMP.
  • Consequences of Violation: Violating the SOAP communication policies can have serious repercussions. The NRMP takes alleged breaches of Match policy very seriously. Applicants found in violation may face sanctions, including being barred from accepting or starting a position in any program sponsored by a Match-participating institution or even being banned from participation in future NRMP Matches. Match violators can face consequences ranging from one to three years or permanent exclusion.
  • Maintaining Ethical Standards: The NRMP expects all Match participants, including applicants, to behave in an ethical and professionally responsible manner. This includes adhering to the Match Participation Agreement, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of each participant. By electronically signing this agreement, applicants commit to following the established guidelines and policies of the NRMP and SOAP processes.
  • Preparation and Awareness: To avoid any unintentional violations, applicants should familiarize themselves with the NRMP's policies, guidelines, and repercussions. It is essential to understand what constitutes a Match Violation and to seek clarification if needed. Applicants should also be well-prepared for the SOAP process, including researching programs, staying available and accessible during the SOAP period, and seeking guidance from experienced mentors or advisors.
  • Reporting and Addressing Violations: If an applicant inadvertently receives communication from a program to which they have not applied through ERAS, it is their responsibility to report such instances to the NRMP. Additionally, if applicants have concerns about potential violations, they should seek legal advice from attorneys experienced in NRMP-related matters to ensure their rights and interests are protected.

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Applicants must not contact a program about a position while participating in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program

The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) is a system that provides a second chance for applicants to find a residency position and for programs to fill any remaining spots. SOAP was established by the NRMP in 2012 to replace the Scramble, a chaotic process where applicants would flood programs with communication and use their contacts to advocate on their behalf.

During SOAP, applicants are not permitted to contact a program about a position. Applicants must wait for the program to initiate contact and must have applied to the program through ERAS. This is a common violation of the match, as applicants are keen to secure a position and may attempt to contact programs directly or through personal connections. However, doing so may result in repercussions such as being barred from the Match for a year or, in extreme cases, banned from the Match for life.

To avoid violating the match, applicants should not contact programs outside of ERAS after they have applied. This includes not having friends, family, advisors, or consultants advocate on their behalf. Applicants should also remind their faculty and mentors not to contact programs. Instead, applicants should wait for programs to contact them for interviews, which usually take place by phone, video, or in person for local applicants.

Offers are typically made on Thursday morning and occur in four rounds, with each round lasting two hours. Applicants who receive an offer have the choice to accept, deny, or allow the offer to expire. It is important to note that expired offers will not be presented again in subsequent rounds, and the availability of openings drops radically during the second round of SOAP. Therefore, applicants are advised to accept the first offer they receive.

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Applicants must not reveal identifying information about other programs they have applied to

If an applicant does reveal this information, sanctions can be levied against them, including being barred from accepting or starting a position in any program sponsored by a Match-participating institution, being barred from participation in future NRMP Matches, and being identified as a Match violator in the R3 system.

It is important to note that applicants are not required to keep this information confidential to protect the programs they are applying to but rather to ensure fairness and ethics in the application process. Applicants who do not comply with these requirements may be viewed as unprofessional or unethical, which could impact their reputation and future career prospects.

Additionally, applicants should be aware that they are not allowed to contact a program about a position while participating in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). The program must initiate contact first, and the applicant must have applied through ERAS. Violating this rule could result in similar sanctions to those for revealing identifying information about other applications.

To avoid any misunderstandings or accidental violations, applicants should familiarise themselves with the NRMP policies and procedures, including the rules for SOAP and the definition of identifying information. Applicants who have questions or concerns about compliance with NRMP policies can seek guidance from organisations like Abramson & Abramson, LLC, which provides counsel and representation in these matters.

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Applicants must not resign within 45 days of the start date of their appointment contract

Once a match between an applicant and a program is made, both parties are obligated to see it through. Applicants who express that they are no longer interested in a program must request a waiver from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). If the waiver is denied, the applicant is still expected to show up and train in the program.

Resigning within 45 days of the start date of the appointment contract is considered a match violation. Applicants who do not honor their match and fail to obtain a waiver from the NRMP are typically barred from the Match for a year and cannot accept a position from any institution that participates in the Match for a year. Repercussions for match violators can range from one to three years or even a lifetime ban.

To avoid being considered a match violator, applicants must not resign within 45 days of the start date of their appointment contract. If an applicant wishes to resign, they must first request a waiver from the NRMP. If the waiver is granted, the applicant is no longer bound to the match and can resign without penalty.

It is important to note that applicants are not authorized to release themselves from a binding commitment. Only the NRMP can release an applicant from a match commitment, and these requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who fail to obtain a waiver before resigning will be considered match violators and may face sanctions such as being barred from accepting or starting a position in any program sponsored by a Match-participating institution or being identified as a match violator in the R3 system.

Frequently asked questions

No. Programs are not allowed to ask applicants about their ranking preferences, nor are they allowed to ask for identifying information about other programs the applicant has applied to or intends to apply to. Asking an applicant about their ranking preferences is considered a match violation.

No. Applicants are expected to honor their match and are obligated to see it through. Applicants cannot apply for, discuss, interview for, or accept a position in another program until a waiver has been granted by the NRMP. Failing to honor a match without a waiver is considered a violation.

If an applicant is no longer interested in a program, they must request a waiver from the NRMP. Only the NRMP can release an applicant from a match commitment. If a waiver is not granted and the applicant does not show up for training, they will be considered a match violator.

Asking applicants about their marital status, race, or religious practices is not considered a match violation. However, these questions are not encouraged, and any issues would fall under the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

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