Match Blog
Residency Program Signaling Guide 2026:
How to Use Your Signals to Improve Interview Chances
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Program signaling has become an increasingly important part of the residency application process. Through MyERAS, applicants can send a limited number of signals to their selected programs. They are intended to communicate a genuine and strong interest in that program. Signals do not guarantee an interview, but they can help programs identify applicants who are interested. Because you only receive a limited number of signals, it is critical to carefully decide where you will use them. Below we will explain how signaling works, and what you can do to maximize signal yield.
Table of Contents
What Is Residency Program Signaling and Why Does It Matter?
1. What Is a Residency Program Signal?
A signal is a way for applicants to show a strong interest in specific programs. Signaling gives the applicant a standardized method to identify programs they are most interested in attending.
2. How Program Signaling Works in MyERAS
On MyERAS, you assign the signals to each program. Programs can see the signal you gave them but cannot see which other programs you have signaled.
Also, watch our video: How to Complete the ERAS® Residency Application: Step-by-Step Tutorial
3. Which Specialties Use Program Signals?
Nearly all specialties participate in signaling now. Below is a comprehensive table as of July 2026 regarding specialty type and signal system (single-tier vs two-tiered).
Need help deciding which residency programs to signal? Our experienced advisors can help you build a strategic signaling plan that maximizes your interview opportunities. Learn more here.
2027 ERAS Residency Program Signaling by Specialty
Signal type and number available for each participating residency specialty
| Residency Specialty | Signal Type | Signals Available |
| Anesthesiology | Two-tier | 5 gold, 10 silver |
| Child Neurology | Two-tier | 3 gold, 6 silver |
| Dermatology | Two-tier | 3 gold, 25 silver |
| Diagnostic Radiology | Two-tier | 6 gold, 9 silver |
| Family Medicine | Single-tier | 5 |
| General Surgery | Single-tier | 15 |
| Internal Medicine | Two-tier | 3 gold, 12 silver |
| Internal Medicine/Medical Genetics | Single-tier | 3 |
| Internal Medicine/Pediatrics | Single-tier | 5 |
| Internal Medicine/Psychiatry | Single-tier | 2 |
| Interventional Radiology – Integrated | Single-tier | 8 |
| Neurodevelopmental Disabilities | Single-tier | 2 |
| Neurological Surgery | Single-tier | 25 |
| Neurology | Single-tier | 8 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | Single-tier | 30 |
| Otolaryngology | Single-tier | 25 |
| Pathology | Single-tier | 5 |
| Pediatric Medical Genetics | Single-tier | 3 |
| Pediatrics | Single-tier | 5 |
| Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | Single-tier | 3 |
| Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | Single-tier | 20 |
| Plastic Surgery – Integrated | Single-tier | 20 |
| Psychiatry | Single-tier | 10 |
| Public Health and General Preventive Medicine | Single-tier | 3 |
| Radiation Oncology | Single-tier | 4 |
| Thoracic Surgery – Integrated | Single-tier | 4 |
| Transitional Year | Single-tier | 12 |
| Urology | Single-tier | 30 |
| Vascular Surgery – Integrated | Two-tier | 3 gold, 12 silver |
Source: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), “Program Signaling for the 2027 MyERAS Application Season.” Current as of July 29, 2026. Specialty and program participation may change; verify before publication.
4. Do Program Signals Increase Your Chances of Receiving an Interview?
Data shows program signals can significantly increase the likelihood of receiving an interview, although benefit is highly variable by applicant type and specialty. In general, gold signals confer the highest chance of interview, then silver signals, then no signal at all. The data shows that signaling matters but does not compensate for a non-competitive applicant. Please use the below link to review the AAMC dashboard for data regarding your specific specialty.
Example with Anesthesiology (percentage who received interview based on signal sent)
MD – 67% gold, 43% silver
DO – 59% gold, 25% silver
IMG – 15% gold, 3% silver
The dashboard can be found under AAMC ERAS Statistics → ERAS Specialty Program Signaling to Interview Dashboard. Select Residency, 2026-2027 ERAS, and pick your specialty. This data is the most recent available for 2026-2027 based on the completion of the 2025-2026 ERAS cycle.
https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/publication/eras-statistics
How to Decide Which Residency Programs to Signal
1. Start With Genuine Program Interest
Choosing where to send signals should be based on more than a program’s perceived prestige. The number one mistake people make is wasting signals on programs that they have a very slim chance to interview at, let alone match at. Your signals should be sent to programs that you are genuinely interested in AND are competitive at.
2. Confirm That You Meet the Program’s Eligibility Requirements, Evaluate your competitiveness
Particularly important for anyone graduating from an international medical school outside the U.S., you need to confirm you meet the program’s requirements. Check for things like: board scores of interviewed applicants, do they consider applicants who have needed to repeat a step exam, graduation year eligibility, visa sponsorship, and whether they consider reapplicants. You can view individual program statistics at the link below:
https://www.residencyexplorer.org.
I think the most critical step of deciding where to signal is seeing how the program values each signal. Looking at the percent interview based on signal sent does not tell you the whole picture. You need to look at the candidates they interviewed and who sent what signal. This shows you how a program weighs a gold versus silver signal (most programs will tell you as long as you signal there is no difference, but the numbers never lie). Images of how to do so are attached below.
Source: Residency Explorer™
3. Consider Program Fit, Training Opportunities, and Career Goals, Consider Geographic Preferences and Personal Connections
Signal programs that align with your personal priorities and professional goals. Consider the program’s clinical rotation schedule, patient population, research opportunities, fellowship match history, in-house fellowship opportunities, location, culture, and any meaningful ties you have. Meaningful ties can come from personal connections with program faculty or leadership, family in the area, prior history of education, work, or clinical experience in the area, among other things. The strongest signals go to programs where your career interests and aforementioned connections align.
Also, watch our video: ERAS Signaling and Applying to Residency Programs
How to Build a Strategic Program Signaling List
1. Divide Programs Into Reach, Target, and Attainable Categories Balanced with Realistic Interview Chances
Most importantly, review the text from the prior section and follow the images to understand how programs weight signals. Group programs based on how your application compares to their typical interviewees. Recognize that there are no “safety” programs; all are competitive in their own right. When trying to identify reach, target, and attainable, aim to be at the median for both scores and research. At the minimum, you should aim to be in the 10th percentile of interviewees for these statistics. It is acceptable to include reach programs of which you have an exceptionally strong connection, either geographically or by way of a faculty member.
2. How to Assign Gold and Silver Signals
Gold signals should generally go to the programs you would most want to attend among those where your candidacy has a plausible path to an interview. Do not demote a true first-choice program solely to game interview yield, but do not treat signals as wish-list entries divorced from competitiveness. The caveat is, should you do a rotation or be a home student, and the program explicitly tells you either 1. Not to signal them or 2. Send a silver signal, follow their instructions.
The two tiered signaling system is especially unforgiving. Compare dermatology to orthopedic surgery. Dermatology has 3 gold signals and 25 silver; Orthopedic surgery has 30 regular signals. Dermatology programs have shifted towards reviewing their gold signals first, and, if there are still interview spots, reviewing those applications that sent silver. In these types of scenarios, it is extremely hard to pull interviews outside of your golds, making their selection very important. See the latest Charting Outcomes in the Match 2026 for average interview yield of matched and unmatched applicants here.
3. Strategy For Specialties With a Few Signals vs a High Number of Signals
In specialties with a high number of signals (i.e., orthopedic surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, PM&R, etc.) it is highly unlikely that you will yield interviews outside of your signals. In the case of dermatology (28 signals), not sending a signal to a program means they are outside of your top 28 programs. In a specialty where they only interview 40-60 out of 500+ applicants, it is exceedingly unlikely that you will get an interview when the program is not even in your top 28.
In specialties with a low number of signals (i.e., family medicine, pediatrics, pathology, etc.) it is very likely that you will still yield interviews outside of your signals. Therefore, in high signal specialties, take extra time to decide where you send your signals.
4. Should You Signal Your Home Program?
Per above. If it is one of your top programs, signal them to show your interest. If you were instructed by a high-ranking faculty member not to signal them (think: Chair, PD, APD) then do not signal them. Otherwise, follow the above instructions.
5. Should You Signal a Program Where You Completed an Away Rotation?
Same as above.
ERAS Application Template, 20+ Personal Statement Examples, Interview Prep, LOR, MSPE Resources & More!
Common Program Signaling Mistakes
1. Signaling Only Highly Competitive or Prestigious Programs/Assuming a Signal Guarantees an Interview
Avoid concentrating nearly all of your signals among highly selective programs unless your application and connections make that list realistic. Most applicants should maintain a deliberate balance between ambitious choices and programs where their credentials align more closely with prior interviewees. More importantly, even if you get an interview, the likelihood of being ranked high enough to match is low. Remember, a signal does not guarantee an interview, and you want to maximize your interviews as there is a direct correlation between more interviews and chances of matching.
2. Using Signals on Programs Where You Are Ineligible
Make sure to review the aforementioned statistics for each program. You cannot afford to waste even one signal. You need to ensure all your signals are sent to programs that have a high chance of extending you an interview. Wasting a signal on a program you are not eligible for is a critical error.
3. Assuming Home and Away Programs Do Not Need Signals
Your home institution and away rotations are often your strongest connections, and the data supports that (see below). If it is not clear, ask to meet with the chair, PD, or APD and hear their thoughts on signaling. Directly express your high interest, but ask them what they recommend to signal them.
The below percentages of total matriculating applicants who matched at their home institution or away rotation site:
Orthopedics: 71%¹
Dermatology: 60%²
ENT: 51%³
Plastic Surgery: 45%⁴
General US MD graduates matching at residency programs affiliated with their home medical school: 22.8-24.9% (from 2015-2016 through 2021-2022.)⁵
- Tran DH, Cohn RM, Schiff AP, Saraf SM, Rumps MV, Mulcahey MK. Away Rotations Have Increased Importance for Matching in Orthopaedic Surgery. JB JS Open Access. 2025;10(1):e24.00182. Published 2025 Mar 18. doi:10.2106/JBJS.OA.24.00182
- Figueroa Baiges, A., Cao, S. Z., Osborne, G. A., Fossum, S. L., Jenkins, B. A., & Mervak, J. E. (2026). Away rotations and recent trends in the dermatology residency match. Clinics in dermatology, 44(4), 589–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2026.05.010
- Nathan, A. S., Richards, P. Q., Ryll, L. S., Garg, N., Garcia, A., Kan, K., & Levi, J. R. (2023). The Home Program Advantage in the Otolaryngology Residency Match. Journal of surgical education, 80(12), 1877–1884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.08.002
- Egan KG, Nauta A, Butterworth JA. Effect of COVID-19 Restrictions on 2021 Integrated Plastic Surgery Match Outcomes. J Surg Educ. 2022;79(1):249-252. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.06.016
- https://www.aamc.org/media/57831/download?attachment=&utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Sending Letters of Interest After Signaling
A signal already communicates meaningful interest, so applicants should not automatically follow every signal with an email. Additional outreach is most defensible when it adds something new: a meaningful application update, a recent connection with the program, or a concise and specific explanation of fit. Repeated or generic emails are unlikely to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Residency Program Signaling
Can Programs See Where Else I Sent Signals?
No. Programs can only see whether they received your signal, and, when applicable, whether it was gold or silver. They cannot see where else you signaled.
What Happens If I Do Not Signal a Program?
They may still review your application or interview you. It depends heavily on which specialty you are applying to. In general, the likelihood of an interview after not sending a signal is much lower than if you were to send a signal.
Should I Apply to Programs I Cannot Signal?
Yes, provided you meet their requirements and are in a financial position to do so. Understand that these are relatively low-yield.
Can I Change My Signals After Submitting ERAS?
For the 2026-2027 residency cycle, signals sent with submitted applications may be changed until programs can see the applications on September 23rd at 9AM EST. After that, signals cannot be changed.
Do Signals Affect a Program’s Rank List?
Signals are designed primarily to help programs decide whom to interview. Applicants should not assume that a signal will improve their position on a program’s final rank list.In general, review the statistics on residency explorer to get a better understanding of how programs value signals. Most programs will give an answer like “We weigh all signals the same”, however, the numbers might tell a different story.
Can a Signal Overcome a Weakness in My Application?
No, do not make this mistake! Focus on signaling the programs that you have a strong chance of matching at (i.e., personal or geographic connection, strong faculty connection, stats in-line with average accepted applicant)
Should I Mention a Signal in My Personal Statement or Email?
Usually not. The program has already received your signal and takes it into consideration. Additional communication should provide meaningful program-specific reasons, which can be done in the personal statement.
What Should I Write in a Program Signal Explanation?
Certain specialties require this (Anesthesiology, PM&R, Integrated Plastic Surgery, and Radiation Oncology). Simply explain professional, personal, or geographic reasons that the program aligns with your goals. Do not discuss ranking intentions.
Example of signal explanations:
Plastic Surgery — UT Southwestern
UT Southwestern stands out to me for the resident-run Parkland service and its breadth in hand, craniofacial, lower-extremity, and microsurgical reconstruction. The autonomy and reconstructive exposure align closely with my goal of becoming an academic microsurgeon.
Anesthesiology — Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins’ Critical Care Scholars Track is a major reason I am signaling the program. The integrated ICU training, longitudinal mentorship, and pathway into critical care fellowship align directly with my goal of a career in academic anesthesiology and critical care.
Final thoughts
Program signaling can meaningfully improve your chances of receiving residency interviews, but only when used strategically. Focus on programs that align with your interests, qualifications, career goals, and geographic preferences, while avoiding the assumption that a signal guarantees an interview. A balanced, well-researched signaling list will always be more effective than simply choosing the most prestigious programs.
For those gearing up for the Match, be sure not to miss out on our all-inclusive Match package! It includes personal statement editing, ERAS application editing, residency advising, and interview preparation, all in one package! All by expert physician advisors! Learn more here!
Good Luck with your residency application and don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any questions.
Anthony Thompson, MD
Dermatology Resident
University of Central Florida
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