Pharmacy Residency Match Rates and Predictors

Objective. To determine acceptance rates to postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residencies and examine the impact of several variables on acceptance rate. Methods. Residency match data for every US college and school of pharmacy with a graduating class between 2008 and 2011 were sorted by graduating class and applicant match rates into PGY1 residency programs. Data were analyzed to determine factors influencing PGY1 match rates. Results. The graduating class match rate to PGY1 residencies was 14.2% for all colleges and schools, 16.0% for public colleges and schools, and 12.6% for private colleges and schools. Colleges and schools with a first graduating class greater than 20 years ago matched 16.7% of students to residency programs. Conclusion. Whether the college or school was public rather than private was an influencing factor on both graduating class and applicant match rates. Years since first graduating class influenced applicant match rate only.