Step 1: Explore the Specialty
Before you pursue a career in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, it's important to be well informed about the specialty. We've put together a great collection of articles and resources which are essential reading for the aspiring physiatrist.
These articles will give you a better idea of the pros and cons of a career in the field, trends in the specialty, and hot-topic issues for trainees.
Hot Topics, Concerns, and Future Directions in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Step 2: Review PM & R Match Data
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) is a highly competitive specialty. In the 2024 NRMP Match, 15% of US MD senior applicants failed to match. The numbers are worse for osteopathic and international medical graduates with failure to match rates of 25% and 48%, respectively. Programs typically receive well over 300-400 applications to fill a relatively small class size.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. MD 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. MD Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. DO 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. DO Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation-Charting Outcomes in the Match for IMGs 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of International Medical Graduates Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Step 3: Understand Residency Selection Criteria
"Overall PM&R is a very competitive residency," writes the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Medicine at Indiana University. "There is a growing interest in the field at this time and it is becoming increasingly more competitive. Acceptance into the best residency programs is quite competitive."
To maximize your chances of matching with your first-choice residency program in PM&R, you must become well informed as early as possible. In particular, you need to know the criteria residency programs use to select residents.
We recommend beginning with the following resources:
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation-2024 NRMP Program Director Survey
Charting Outcomes™: Program Director Survey Results, 2024 Main Residency Match®
Check out these other recommended resources
Step 4: Develop your Strategy for Success
The process of matching into the specialty and/or program of your choice begins well before it’s time to work on the residency application. Success is the culmination of many decisions and actions that take place over a period of several years.
Many medical students struggle to become strong residency applicants not because they are not talented or hardworking, but because they lack knowledge or guidance about the actions they should take to position themselves for future success.
Complicating matters even further is the rapidly changing landscape in residency admissions making it difficult for both residency applicants and mentors to stay well informed. A recent study showed that 75% of faculty advisors had advising concerns due to lack of knowledge of current practices or recent changes to the residency application.
As competition for positions in the physical medicine and rehabilitation residency match intensifies, it's more important than ever to be an informed candidate who has the "right" strategy for success. To develop the optimal strategy, use our book, The Successful Match. It's been designated recommended or required reading by the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Medical Women's Association, and numerous allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
AMSA wrote the book "provides the medical student reader with detailed preparation for the matching process." Fully updated in 2025 with over 1,000 pages of powerful information, the book is a must-have resource to help you stand out from the competition. For more powerful information, sign up for our weekly update.
Step 5: Make the Most of your Preclinical Years
Step 6: Apply for Scholarships and Awards
Winning medical school scholarships and awards can provide a major boost to your residency application, and set you apart from your peers. Awards can be placed in the application, MSPE (Dean's Letter), letters of recommendation, and CV. We have found that interviewers often ask about awards during residency interviews.
Step 7: Assess your USMLE Step 1 Score or COMLEX 1 Score
Your USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX 1 exam score is a major factor used by physical medicine & rehabilitation residency programs in the selection process. In 2018, the mean USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX 1 scores among matched students were 225 and 535, respectively. Among unmatched U.S. seniors and osteopathic students, the mean scores were 215 and 486, respectively.
Step 8: Strive for Success During Clerkships, Observerships and Externships
Grades in required or core clerkships are very important to physical medicine & rehabilitation residency programs. In a NRMP survey of PM&R residency programs, 70% cited "grades in required clerkships" as a factor in selecting applicants to interview." PM&R rotations are also of obvious importance to international medical graduates seeking positions in the field.
Step 9: Prepare a Powerful Residency Application
Step 10: Develop a Powerful Personal Statement
Step 11: Deliver an Impressive Interview Performance
What if I didn't match?
If you were unsuccessful during your initial match cycle, you'll need to sit down with your dean or advisor to review your match strategy. In planning your reapplication, each of the steps above becomes even more important.
For those who seek additional expert assistance, we can provide that. Dr. Desai has had significant experience in helping re-applicants match successfully.
This is provided via a Strategy for Success Session. Dr. Desai will perform a comprehensive review of your credentials, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and provide you with a specific plan to implement tailored to your unique situation.