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Editorial notice. MDCaribbean is an independent research resource. We use official sources where available and flag gaps in the evidence. Verify important information with the relevant school, regulator or other official authority before making a decision. Read the evidence status.

Residency outcomes guide

A match rate is meaningless without its denominator.

Schools may report placements, first-time attainment, eligible graduates or multi-year rates. These are not interchangeable, and none describes students who never reached the application stage.

Quick answer

Ask for one cohort table: entrants, students who reached clinicals, on-time graduates, graduates who applied, applicants who matched, SOAP or post-Match placements, specialties and year. Compare school claims with NRMP’s independent IMG data, not with a differently defined school percentage.

01

Distinguish Match from placement

A residency appointment can be obtained through the Main Residency Match, SOAP, another matching plan or a permitted route outside the Match. Schools may combine these under placement or attainment.

02

Find the denominator and time window

A rate based on eligible applicants can look strong while omitting students who were dismissed, delayed, did not graduate or did not apply. A multi-year placement window can also count graduates who secured a position after their graduation year.

  • Entering cohort size
  • Graduation rate and time to degree
  • Number applying in the reported cycle
  • First-time versus eventual placement
03

Study specialty and geography

Named placement lists are useful evidence. Review specialties, states or provinces, program types and whether placements align with your own goals. Competitive specialties require a more individualized risk assessment.

04

Use NRMP data as context

NRMP publishes independent results for U.S. citizen and non-U.S. citizen international medical graduates. These are broad applicant-group benchmarks, not school rankings.

Questions applicants ask

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Caribbean medical school match rate?

A percentage is only useful when its cohort, eligibility rules, timing and placement definition are disclosed. Compare the underlying counts and attrition, not the headline alone.

Is a residency placement rate the same as an NRMP match rate?

Not always. Placement may include SOAP, later offers or permitted positions outside the Main Residency Match.

Do Caribbean graduates match into competitive specialties?

Some do, but outcomes vary by applicant, school, specialty and year. Named placement lists and NRMP IMG data provide better context than anecdotes.