When residency program signals matter—and when they probably don’t

A relatively new aspect of a medical student’s physician residency application—program signaling, a system that allows applicants to indicate interest in a limited number of programs—has quickly become a key factor in the residency-selection process. 

According to a 2024 survey from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), nearly 80% of responding program directors from specialties in which signaling was available said signals affected how they screen applications—and 70% said signals influence who gets an interview.

As applicants begin putting together their application packet for the 2026 Match cycle, here’s a few tips to create a strategy that allows for the most effective use of your signals. 

Specialty specific strategy

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, at least 27 physician specialties will use program signaling as part of their application process for the upcoming Match cycle. Of those specialties that use signaling, the system generally follows one of three models.