VCU fourth-year medical students learn their fates on National Match Day

By Erin Lucero
Office of Development, School of Medicine

When the clock strikes noon on March 16, fourth-year students from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine will learn where they will spend the next several years of their lives.

Gathered at the Woman’s Club of Richmond, 211 E. Franklin St., the 163 medical students will participate in the tradition of National Match Day. At noon, they – and thousands of other fourth-year students from medical schools across the United States – will receive sealed envelopes that contain the name of the residency program to which they have been matched.

The National Resident Matching Program started more than 40 years ago. It matches graduating medical students with hospitals for internships and residencies. In December and January, the students interview at sites around the country. By the end of February, they have ranked their choices in order of preference, and the hospitals have done the same with their top candidates. These submissions are matched by computer in Washington, D.C., and the results will be delivered to students around the country on March 16.

At VCU’s School of Medicine, most students are usually matched to one of their top three choices of residency sites.