More Signals, Fewer Apps: Residency Match Saves Millions

Residency applicants used to flood programs with applications. A system called preference signaling launched in 2021 to change that. By 2026 it covers 27 specialties. Applicants can now flag their top choices.

Researchers dug into ERAS data from 2022 through 2026. They tracked 22 specialties and over 70,000 applicants. Specialties got grouped by signal limits: high means 20 or more, medium means 8 to 19, low means 7 or fewer.

High-signal specialties all saw applications per person drop. The average fell about 28. Some plunged nearly 47. Medium and low groups showed mixed results. A few even had more applications.

The fee side tells a similar story. Overall the system saved an estimated $7.4 million. High-signal specialties alone saved nearly $3 million. Yet eight medium and low specialties ended up costing applicants more.

Giving applicants more signals reliably cuts volume and cost. Fewer signals don't guarantee the same effect.