First Look: AY 2024 Match

Matched Candidates in Nephrology Down 11% in AY 2024

Key Takeaways from the AY 2024 Nephrology Match

Only 321 candidates matched into nephrology in the appointment year (AY) 2024 Match, down 11% from last year. Data released today by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) revealed:

• A total of 94 out of 180 nephrology training tracks in the AY 2024 Match filled (52%), with 66% of the 488 fellowship positions offered claimed on Match Day.

• 117 international medical graduates (IMGs) obtained nephrology positions, similar to AY 2023. IMGs comprised 36% of nephrology trainees this year.

• Matched allopathic candidates were down 20% to 82 residents in AY 2024; 53 DOs entered nephrology as well as 69 US-IMGs who comprised 21% of all matched fellows for AY 2024.

Match Results in Detail

Fellows

Of 327 candidates preferring nephrology 307 obtained a nephrology fellowship position in AY 2024. Allopathic residents entering nephrology declined 20% from AY 2023, with IMGs down 3%, DOs down 9%, and US-IMGs down 10% (see Table 1). The ratio of nephrology candidates declined to 0.67 candidates/position.

Table 1: Nephrology Candidate Trends AY 2018–AY 2024*

Variable	AY 2018	AY 2019	AY 2020	AY 2021	AY 2022	AY 2023	AY 2024	Trend
Total Applicants	304	325	330	391	382	404
Applicants Prefer Nephrology	282	288	298	349	337	368	327
Applicants Prefer Nephrology Matched	271	274	273	326	315	345	307
Applicants Matched Other	7	20	2	0	1	2	1
Applicants Did Not Match	12	14	23	23	21	21	19
Total Matched	285	291	291	345	335	359	321
US MD Matched	91	80	69	89	96	103	82
DO Matched	34	38	45	43	56	58	53
US-IMG Matched	52	59	59	73	63	77	69
IMG Matched	108	114	118	139	120	121	117
Canadian Matched	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Fifth Pathway Matched	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

*Note: Total Applicants for AY 2024 not reported on Match Day.
Source: NRMP.

Fewer US MDs and Fewer IMGs Matched into Nephrology in AY 2024

94% of Candidates Preferring Nephrology Matched in AY 2024

The Ratio of Candidates to Nephrology Positions Declined to 0.67

Nephrology Training Tracks

In AY 2024, 180 nephrology training tracks (e.g., Clinical, Research, or Critical Care–Nephrology) were offered in the nephrology Match, of which 52% filled all of their available slots. There were 488 positions offered for AY 2024, a decrease of 1% over AY 2023 (see Table 2).

Table 2: Trends—Nephrology Match Training Tracks AY 2018–AY 2024

Variable	AY 2018	AY 2019	AY 2020	AY 2021	AY 2022	AY 2023	AY 2024	Trend
Offered Positions	474	464	469	474	484	493	488
Filled Positions	285	291	291	345	335	359	321
Unfilled Positions	189	173	178	129	149	134	167
% Filled Positions	60	63	62	73	69	73	66
Offered Tracks	163	163	169	170	178	178	180
Filled Tracks	69	71	70	96	93	103	94
Unfilled Tracks	94	92	99	74	85	75	86
% Filled Tracks	42	44	41	57	52	58	52

Source: NRMP.

Proportion of Filled Training Tracks Decreased in AY 2024

94 Training Tracks Filled All Fellowship Positions

66% of Fellowship Positions Filled, Down 10%

Fewer Positions Were Offered This Year, 167 of Which Were Unfilled

Predicting Match Outcomes Using July ERAS Data

There is a moderately strong linear relationship between the number of nephrology candidates in July with that year’s total matched fellows (ordinary least squares, R²=0.9). The model is limited by a low level of information, with data available only from the AY 2014 cycle onward. Yet the model makes some intuitive sense given that candidates applying to nephrology fellowships in July are committed to pursuing the specialty. In AY 2024, there were 313 candidates in July, with the model predicting 312 matched fellows, 9 fewer than this year’s final total of 321.

Linear Regression of ERAS Nephrology Candidates in July with Matched Fellows