This year's Match Day held March 19 was the largest on record, according to the National Resident Matching Program, which operates the residency program application system.
Six things to know:
1. A record 48,700 people submitted applications for 38,106 open positions at residency programs — the most available in the program's history. Of these open positions, about 95 percent were filled.
2. A record 5,915 programs participated in Match Day, 88 more than last year.
3. There were 35,194 first-year positions open, up 2.7 percent from 2020.
4. Of the 35,194 positions available for first-year residents, about half were for primary care specialties like family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
5. A record number of MD medical students applied for residency positions (19,866 applicants). Of those applicants, 18,435 matched into a program, marking a 1.8 percent increase from 2020.
6. This year's match also saw a record number of 7,101 DO applicants, a 7.9 percent increase from 2020. Of those applicants, 6,327 matched into a first-year residency program, up 6 percent from last year.