Interview preparation guide
Ranking only programs where you would train: residency interview preparation guide
NRMP's ranking guidance is blunt: rank only programs where you are able and would be happy to train, because putting a program on your rank order list creates a binding commitment if a match occurs. A rank you hope to avoid is a contract you have already signed.
How to prepare
- 1
Treat every rank as a commitment
NRMP states that putting a program on your ROL creates a binding commitment if a match occurs, and tells you to review carefully each program's eligibility requirements and the contract you will be expected to sign. You should receive that information from programs during the application and interview process.
- 2
Do not rank programs where you did not interview
NRMP's rule is mechanical: programs do not rank candidates they have not interviewed, and no match will occur. A non-interviewed program on your list is a dead slot, not a lottery ticket.
- 3
Apply the happy-to-train test to every line
The NRMP standard is 'able and would be happy to train'. If a program would genuinely make you miserable, ranking it low does not make matching there better. The place to make that judgment is before certification, not after Match Day.
A practical exercise
Eligibility requirements reviewed per program: [yes/no]. Contract reviewed per program: [yes/no]. Interviewed at every ranked program: [yes/no]. Happy-to-train test passed per line: [yes/no].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
NRMP's ranking guidance is blunt: rank only programs where you are able and would be happy to train, because putting a program on your rank order list creates a binding commitment if a match occurs. A rank you hope to avoid is a contract you have already signed.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview outcomes. Formats and policies vary by program, so follow your actual invitation, the R3 system and school guidance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Ranking a program as a 'safety' you would actually refuse to attend.
- Assuming a low rank is low risk; a binding commitment binds at any position.
- Leaving a non-interviewed program on the list as a fantasy option.
Check your preparation
- Would I genuinely be able and happy to train at every program on my list?
- Have I reviewed each program's eligibility requirements and contract?
- Did I interview at every program I am ranking?
Questions for your practice review
- Am I able and happy to train at this program if it is my match?
- Have I read this program's eligibility requirements and contract terms?
- Did I interview here, or am I holding a dead slot?
Common questions
What if I am unsure about one program?
Unsure is different from unwilling. NRMP's bar is able and happy to train, and our guide on checking your confidence in a program helps you separate solvable doubts from real refusal. If a program fails the test, leave it off.
Does ranking more programs change my odds?
List length and match probability are data questions; our blog guide on how many interviews it takes to match covers NRMP's rank-list data. The binding-commitment rule applies to every line regardless of length.
Is this current for the 2027 ERAS season?
The cited guidance is published by AAMC and NRMP as current for applicants in the 2027 ERAS season. Program formats, policies and Match dates change year to year, so confirm the details with each program and the current NRMP schedule.
Related guides
Sources
This page is general editorial guidance based on the sources above. It is not a prediction of any program's questions or a statement of its current policies.