As you enter the home stretch of the match application period, you may find yourself wondering if your application efforts (not to mention the expense!) will actually pay off and result in an internship.
Fortunately, the VIRMP releases an annual report highlighting the most recent year’s Match Statistics, which can provide helpful information to help you assess your odds of matching to an internship or residency.
According to the VIRMP’s 2020 Match Statistics, a total of 2,325 individuals submitted internship or residency applications last year. Over 100 of those applicants withdrew their applications, resulting in a total of 2,158 applicants eligible for the match. Veterinarians seeking an internship had a 63.7% likelihood of successfully matching to a program, while the applicant match rate for residencies was 33.1%.
Annual VIRMP Match Statistics are available online going back as far as 2014. In that time period, match rates have been relatively consistent; however, there has been a slight upward trend during that time period.
While residencies are clearly quite competitive, the good news is that you have a relatively high likelihood of successfully matching to an internship after vet school.
If you want to submit an application, but are hesitating due to fear, it’s time to set that fear aside and get your application finished before the January 11, 2021 application deadline!