The results of ASCO’s Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch) for 2016 were released on March 7. This year, 223 optometry residency sites, which had 429 available positions, participated. Last year, 210 participating residency sites had 411 available positions. In 2016, 81% of positions were filled, and 72% of applicants matched with a program. Matched applicants submitted an average of 4.5 applications each. After the match, unmatched applicants and programs with open positions are free to contact each other directly, independent of ORMatch, to fill available positions.
ORMatch, which is administered by National Matching Services Inc., is in its fourth year of operation since being established by ASCO. It matches students and optometry residency programs based on a mutual ranking algorithm. Questions about ORMatch can be e-mailed to Paige Pence, Director of Student and Residency Affairs.