Post-Interview Communication: Thank-Yous and What Is Allowed

Contact after an interview is allowed but narrow. NRMP lets you and a program exchange clarifying information, and thank-you messages are common practice, but neither side may use post-interview contact to influence or find out the other's ranking. This page explains what NRMP's conduct rules say, what is custom rather than rule, and how to respond if a program crosses the line. It builds on the rules summarized in interview season overview.

What the NRMP rules say #

The Match Participation Agreement binds applicants and programs from registration through the start of training. NRMP publishes plain-language codes of conduct for each side.

For applicants, the code says applicants may request and exchange clarifying information with programs after the interview, but must not solicit or engage in post-interview communication to influence or ascertain a program's ranking intentions.

For programs, the corresponding code says the recruitment team may exchange clarifying information with applicants but must not solicit or require post-interview communication to influence applicants' ranking preferences.

NRMP's Policy Corner (November 2024) summarizes the Match Participation Agreement section on what programs may not do at any stage of interviews, matching or onboarding. Programs may not:

• Ask you to reveal your preference signals (in specialties that use signaling).
• Ask you to reveal which interviews you were offered, accepted, declined or attended.
• Ask you to reveal your ranking preferences.
• Suggest or say that your place on a rank list or SOAP preference list depends on submitting a verbal, electronic or written statement of your preference.

NRMP's applicant materials add that you may keep private where you applied or interviewed, your signals and your ranking, and that expressing interest to a program is allowed. Treat the code documents as the primary source and check them for your cycle, because NRMP updates its policies.

Thank-you notes: practice, not rule #

• Not required. NRMP does not require them, and the code of conduct does not make them a condition of ranking. Applicants often worry that skipping one will look bad. That worry is understandable, but it is not a rule, and practices vary by program.
• Commonly sent. A brief, individual email within a few days to the interviewers and the coordinator is a professional courtesy at many programs.
• Some specialties discourage them. For example, the dermatology program director association has said communication of preference such as letters of intent and thank-you letters should not be sent. Check your specialty's program director association or society for current guidance. Specialty norms differ and change.
• Check the program's own instructions. Some programs say in the invitation how they want to be contacted or that they will not read post-interview messages.

If you send one #

1. Keep it short: two to four sentences.
2. Thank the person for their time, and mention one specific thing you learned or discussed.
3. Use it for clarifying information only if needed, such as a document you promised or a factual question.
4. Do not ask where you rank, and do not ask what you should do to rank higher.
5. Proofread. Use the person's correct name and title.

An illustrative template (not a script to copy): "Thank you for speaking with me on Tuesday. I enjoyed hearing about the new simulation curriculum, and it made me more interested in how residents are involved in teaching. I appreciated the chance to interview."

Expressing interest versus making a commitment #

NRMP says expressing interest to a program is allowed, and also says ranking information is confidential and you are not obligated to share it. In practice that means:

• You may say honestly that a program is a top choice, if it is. You can also say you are very interested.
• Do not say it if it is untrue. Telling several programs they are your first choice is a professional risk, and your statement does not bind you.
• The matching algorithm uses your rank order, not what you told programs. For why your list should reflect your real preference, see how the Match algorithm works and rank order list strategy.
• A program's statement such as "we will rank you highly" is not binding. Some programs may say it. It should not change your list.

If a program contacts you after the interview #

Programs may share clarifying or informational messages, such as schedule updates, requests for missing documents or follow-up about visas. A program may also tell you that it is interested. Reasonable responses:

• Information requests: answer accurately and promptly.
• Messages of interest: thank them and say you appreciate it. You do not have to reciprocate.
• Requests to reveal your ranking or other interviews, or to commit: you may decline politely, for example "I'm keeping my rank list private, but thank you for your interest." Keep a copy of the message and report it to NRMP if the request is persistent or ties your ranking to your answer.

Rank list locking pilot #

For the 2027 Main Residency Match, internal medicine, pediatrics and vascular surgery programs may voluntarily lock their certified rank order lists in NRMP's system, which NRMP is studying in a multi-year pilot. A locked list cannot be changed. NRMP's published pilot materials describe this as a way to show that post-interview contact or visits will not change a program's list. Locking is voluntary, and NRMP's applicant materials say participation and lock status are visible to applicants in the NRMP system. Check the NRMP pilot page for current details, because the pilot's rules and participating specialties may change.

What does not count as post-interview communication #

• Scheduling and logistics before the interview.
• Pre-match onboarding, such as licensing and visa paperwork, after you match.
• Requests to correct an error in your application, such as a changed score or new document. Updating your application through the proper channel is expected: NRMP says you must communicate relevant changes to programs.

A practical routine #

1. Write notes about each interview the same day.
2. Decide whether to send a thank-you, based on your specialty's norms.
3. Send it within a few days, short and specific.
4. Make your rank list from your own notes and preferences.
5. Do not share your list unless you choose to, for example with your advisor.