Best Practices for Advising Students for the NRMP Match in Family Medicine

Faculty career advisors (FCAs) are crucial in guiding medical students toward successful National Resident Matching Program outcomes in family medicine. Our specialty is experiencing an evolving landscape, characterized by an increase in postgraduate year-1 positions, shifts in applicant demographics, rising application numbers, and the recent implementation of program signaling and geographic preference setting. This professional development perspective offers FCAs strategies to navigate these complexities beyond Strolling Through the Match and other related materials. Key areas addressed include defining program fit for individual applicants, determining an optimal range of application numbers, and providing tailored advice for diverse student situations including "high-performing," "midrange," "at-risk," dual-specialty, and couples-matching candidates. We explore current insights on navigating virtual versus in-person interviews, strategically utilizing program signals, and successfully managing the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program. Our guidance aims to equip FCAs, students, and key stakeholders with practical, anecdotal, and evidence-informed approaches to support all students applying to family medicine in achieving optimal match results.