Residency Explorer™ Tool

Please share your feedback about your experiences using the features on this page. You can share what is working for you, what is not working for you, or offer recommendations on how this page could be changed to serve you better.

Residency Explorer helps medical students and applicants to U.S. residency programs research programs in their specialty of interest and compare themselves to previous matched applicants at those programs.

Residency Explorer is the only resource with original, source-verified data from the reputable organizations involved in the transition to residency.

Residency Explorer delivers insights and information based on:

• Residency applicant data from AAMC (ERAS)
• Matched applicant data from NRMP
• USMLE data from the USMLE Program
• COMLEX-USA data from the NBOME
• Residency program directory information from ACGME
• Program characteristics from the National GME Census Survey, jointly administered by the AAMC and AMA, to which 95% of residency programs self-report information about their programs.

Purpose

The purpose of Residency Explorer is to help residency applicants understand how they compare to applicants who previously matched at programs as well as explore program characteristics across many areas of interest.

Disclaimer

Residency Explorer does not tell you where to apply or predict where you may match to a residency program. It is intended to help you explore and research programs and develop a list of programs for further investigation. We encourage you to consult with a trusted advisor or mentor in the residency application process.

Residency Explorer uses the most recent data available from the reputable organizations involved in the transition to residency. We encourage you to also seek out program information directly from the program’s website.

Feedback

We are always seeking your input and feedback on future iterations of Residency Explorer. Please share your thoughts about the features and data you see – or don’t see – in the tool. Share your feedback in the feedback section in the header of the site.

1. Who do I contact if I have questions about using Residency Explorer?
   For assistance using Residency Explorer, you can click on 'Help' in the upper right corner and click on the Contact Form link. Complete the form and our support team will respond to your inquiry within 1 business day.

2. As a program staff member, how can I update my program's data in Residency Explorer?
   To submit a request to update program data displayed in Residency Explorer, click on 'Help' in the upper right corner and click Contact Support. Complete the form and be sure to select “Data Discrepancy/Data Update Request” as the reason for contacting us. Our support team will respond to your request within 2 business days.

3. How often is program data updated in Residency Explorer?
   Residency Explorer displays the most recent data available from collaborating organizations and sources, including AAMC, NRMP, ACGME, NBME/FSMB, NBOME, and the National GME Census Survey. Data updates from ACGME, ERAS and the National GME Census Survey will be made at the end of the summer and in the fall of 2022. If you are a program user and have questions about your program’s data displayed in Residency Explorer, click on ‘Help’ and use the Contact Form for assistance

4. How can I provide feedback about my experience with Residency Explorer?
   All users of Residency Explorer are encouraged to provide feedback about their experience and use of Residency Explorer by clicking on the "Feedback" link in the top navigation bar and typing in feedback details. This information will be collected and shared with the product team.

5. How should I use the data in Residency Explorer?
   Residency Explorer does not advise you where to apply or predict where you may match to a residency program. It is intended to help you develop a list of programs for further investigation. Refer to programs' websites for detailed information about educational aims, unique features, patient populations, positions on diversity and inclusion, and other important attributes. We encourage you to consult with a trusted advisor or mentor as you research programs.

6. Why have these organizations collaborated to create this tool?
   The AAMC, AACOM, ACGME, AMA, ECFMG, FSMB, NBME, NBOME, and NRMP embrace the belief that our shared constituents—students, advisors, deans, program directors, and others—will benefit if we work together to develop a single resource that helps students understand historical outcomes, assess their candidacy, and make informed decisions.

7. How many specialties can I explore at one time?
   You will be able to explore 1 out of 25 specialties at a time. You can select a different specialty to explore by clicking on the specialty name located at the top of the page.

8. How many times can I input my USMLE or COMLEX-USA scores?
   You will be limited to 3 entries of your scores for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK or COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE. This entry limit will be applied across all specialties not per specialty. You will see a countdown indicating how many entries you have left. You will not be able to delete or reset the number of entries. Once you have reached the maximum of three entries, you cannot enter more.

9. Do I enter a failed USMLE or COMLEX-USA score?
   You may enter up to three scores for USMLE Step 1 and for Step 2 CK and three scores for COMLEX-USA Level 1 and for Level 2-CE in Residency Explorer. If you choose to add a failed score, it will be counted toward your total of 3 entries. You will not be able to delete or reset the number of entries. Once you have reached the maximum of three entries, you cannot enter more.

10. Is Residency Explorer mobile compatible?
    Residency Explorer is designed primarily for a desktop or laptop. There may be elements of Residency Explorer that are compatible within a phone or tablet environment, but it is not currently designed for a mobile environment.

11. I don't see comparative data to applicants who've previously matched to a program. Why is that?
    Residency Explorer uses historical data on matched applicants in the NRMP Main Residency Match. To protect privacy and confidentiality, there needs to be at least 10 matched applicants at a program to offer comparative data. Residency Explorer does not display comparative data for some programs with a small number of residents in order to protect the privacy of those residents. Also, many programs that have achieved ACGME accreditation in the last three years under single accreditation do not have enough historical data in the NRMP Main Residency Match to display comparative data. For these programs, the data available in Residency Explorer will improve over time. For all programs, we encourage you to consult with the program's website for additional information on program characteristics, application requirements, and resident information.

12. Why is the percentage listed on the Explore results page different from what’s listed on the Program’s page?
    On the Program Search Results page, the percentage reported is the percentage of APPLICANTS matched to a program. On the Program Details/Profile page, the percentage reported is the percentage of RESIDENTS entering a program.