Match FAQ's
Version: 10/01/2025
1) What is the benefit of preference signaling (PS) to the applicant? What is the benefit of PS to the program?
Over the years, the number of applications submitted per applicant had climbed to over 70, while the total number of applicants had not changed. The high volume of applications made it difficult for candidates to distinguish themselves within the large pool; likewise, programs found it challenging to identify specific applicants uniquely interested in their institution. PS affords applicants a reliable and equitable mechanism to demonstrate interest in a subset of programs.
Each candidate participating in the Urology Match will have 30 signals of equal weight.
2) What is new for preference signaling and how will they work for the 2025 application cycle?
New for 2025, the preference signaling process will move into the ERAS program, instead of through AUA. Beginning September 3rd, 2025, applicants will begin to complete their ERAS application and will identify and select residency programs to apply and send their 30 preference signals. On September 24th, ERAS will open and residency programs will have access to applicant ERAS applications and applicant preference signals will be noted in ERAS.
3) Does signaling conflict with SAU Code of Conduct/Match rules?
No, as long as other Match rules are followed. The SAU Code of Conduct outlines the need for professional and ethically responsible behavior from applicants and programs. The rules are intended to allow participants to be able to consider selection decisions without coercion or pressure. Applicants and programs may express their interest in each other. However, they shall not solicit verbal or written statements implying a commitment. It is recommended that applicants keep their interview and ranking preferences confidential. Programs cannot request applicants disclose information about programs to which they have or may apply, interview, or rank. Violation of these restrictions may be referred to the SAU for investigation of a possible Match violation.
4) How does signaling affect applicant or program rank lists?
Preference Signaling is intended to improve the distribution of interviews. Programs are encouraged to use signals as part of the holistic review of candidates and as one of many criteria for selection to interview. Typically, programs have much more information on applicants following the interviews to construct rank lists. Applicants and programs should construct rank lists based on their true preference of matching.
5) What is the expected program code of conduct?
Programs will abide by the following:
- Programs shall NOT disclose identification of applicants who have signaled.
- Programs shall NOT ask interviewees where they have signaled.
- Programs shall NOT publicly disclose the number of signals received by applicants.
1) Is it true that interviews can be in person, virtual or hybrid this year?
This is correct: the SAU is permitting all of these interview formats this year. This decision was based on survey information and direct feedback from applicants and programs, with no clear consensus on a preferred format. Specifically, a 2024 program director survey found that 43% of programs were in favor of virtual interviews and 57% for in person (80% response rate).
The SAU supports constituents choosing the format that works best for their particular program.
2) How will candidates know a program’s plan for interview format on a given interview day?
These interview dates and formats will be posted on the SAU website, individual departmental communication channels (ie websites), and within the interview offer itself. This must be declared by all programs by October 15th, 2025.
3) How will programs run hybrid interviews?
Hybrid interviews could be offered in two different ways:
- The program offers some interview dates in person and other dates virtual (for example for their home students or visiting subinterns). The program decides and offers applicants an interview on a specific date with a specific format.
- The applicant can choose in person or virtual on their given date. The program must honor their selection and be able to accommodate both in person and virtual interviews on the same date.
This is detailed on the Interview Offer Summary page.
4) Can you give an example communication for invite, waitlist, decline?
“We are delighted to offer you an in-person interview with our program on November 23rd at Anytown, State. Please confirm on October 27th if you accept this interview offer. We are also holding in-person interviews December 7th and are able to put you on a waitlist for this date (though not guaranteed) if you cannot attend on November 23rd. There is an optional social event with our residents the evening of November 23rd following the interview from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Eastern.”
“Thank you for applying to our program. We would like to offer you a spot on our Waitlist this year. We will reach out to let you know if an interview position becomes available.”
“There were many qualified candidates this year, but, unfortunately, we will not be able to offer you an interview. Best of luck in the interview process and the Match.”
5) Do we need to notify candidates that we plan to decline?
Yes — all groups need to be notified on October 24th, 2025. See recorded webinar from July 15, 2024.
6) It is after 2:00 p.m. Eastern on October 27th, 2025, and we did not hear a response from a candidate we invited to interview.
This is considered a Match violation. Please report it to the SAU. See Match Violation policies and procedures.
Also, if the applicant has not responded on the aforementioned date and time, it is within the program’s purview to rescind that original invitation and to instead offer that interview spot to another candidate.
7) When can we start to communicate with our waitlist candidates to fill any open interview slots?
This starts October 27th, 2025 after 2:00 p.m. Eastern. See the timeline.
8) After Flush Day, an applicant confirmed an interview with us, and then asked to change format of interview.
Applicants can accept interview offers from a waitlist after Flush Day. They cannot cancel any interview offers after that point. Though not required, the interview platform can be changed at the discretion of the program leadership if the program is offering hybrid interview formats on that interview day.
9) After Flush Day, an applicant confirmed an interview with us, and then cancelled.
This is considered a Match violation. Please report it to the SAU. See Match Violation policies and procedures.
10) What are the rules for programs that wish to provide stipends or support applicant interview costs?
The SAU board has conducted extensive breakout sessions, surveys, and discussions with SAU membership at multiple SAU meetings. The goal is to enhance fair and equitable applicant support, while maintaining the integrity of the recruitment process.
- Within reasonable limits, programs are permitted to offer financial support for applicants’ food and lodging to offset applicant expenses. This support should not exceed the cost of room and board.
- Programs are prohibited from funding, supporting, or providing a stipend for airfare or travel
- Programs may not offer gifts to selected applicants, but may provide a modest recruitment gift or swag (~ $25 or less in value) if provided to all interviewees and sent prior to or at the interview, in order to avoid post-interview communication.
- Programs may continue to offer stipends to support visiting student rotations.
11) Are applicants allowed to visit a program after interviews are complete (“a second look”)?
No. Post-interview visits are prohibited. Programs are not allowed to offer or require a visit after interviews are completed, regardless of the interview format offered. Applicants may visit the city of a particular program after the interview but are not allowed to meet or communicate with anyone in the program including the chair, program director, faculty, or trainees in the program.
1) How many signals will I receive?
Each applicant will have the option to send 30 equally weighted signals.
2) Is signaling required for applicants?
No, applicants are not required to participate in the signaling process.
3) Does the signaling process limit the number of programs to which applicants may apply?
No, there are no restrictions on the number of applications an applicant submits.
4) Should I signal my home program and programs where I did an away rotation?
It is recommended that applicants send a signal to all programs in which they are genuinely interested, and this includes signaling home and visiting programs, if appropriate.
5) How will I know that programs receive my signals?
New for 2025, signals will be imbedded in the ERAS application. Candidates will identify and assign their 30 equally weighted preference signals to their preferred programs during the application process. On September 24th, ERAS will open and residency programs will be able to review application materials from those candidates who applied to their residency, including a notation regarding a preference signal. There will be no direct communication between applicants and programs to exchange signals.
6) Does a signal guarantee an interview?
No. A signal does not guarantee an interview offer from the recipient program. However, past data suggests there is a higher likelihood of receiving an interview from a signaled program.
7) I did not hear a status (accept, waitlist, decline) from a program on October 24th, 2025 by the end of day (midnight PST).
This is considered a Match violation. Please report it to the SAU. See Match Violation policies and procedures.
8) I have conflicting interviews, what do I do?
A response must be given by October 27 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern to all programs. Applicants should only accept one offer if two interviews conflict. If the candidate is later given an offer by a different program after 2:00 p.m. Eastern that conflicts with an originally accepted interview, then the candidate is permitted to decline the originally accepted interview only on Flush Day. All interview offers should be reconciled on or by Flush Day, October 28th, 2025 by 6:00 p.m. Eastern. An applicant can continue to accept interviews after this date if there are no conflicts, but no interviews should be cancelled after this date or it will be considered a match violation. See match timeline.
9) Can I do two virtual interviews in the same day?
While this is theoretically possible, double-booking interviews on a single day is not encouraged.
10) I want to contact a program over the weekend (October 24 – October 26) to clarify something.
Applicants should not contact programs until October 27th, 2025 after 8 am Eastern to accept, decline or clarify the circumstances surrounding their interview offer.
11) How many students do programs keep on a waitlist.
This is variable and program dependent.
12) I need to cancel an interview after Flush Day.
This is considered a Match violation. See Match Violation policies and procedures.