smartpick algorithm

How our algorithm works.

Our AI model evaluates residency programs using a multifaceted approach that incorporates a broad set of metrics related to applicant qualifications, program requirements, and historical trends — a high-level look at the methodology, without the implementation details.

Data Collection

  • Collects program-specific data such as residency requirements (e.g., Step scores, USCE, publication expectations), interview trends, and visa sponsorship policies.
  • Uses verified sources, including program websites, ACGME, Freida, Residency Explorer, etc., to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.

Applicant Profiling

  • Matches your profile (e.g., Step scores, experiences, visa needs) against program criteria to identify alignment.
  • Applies thresholds for critical metrics, such as Step score ranges, publication counts, and years since graduation (YOG).

Scoring System

  • Investigates various factors, including program competitiveness, IMG friendliness, and interview composition.
  • Prioritizes factors such as Step score requirements, program tendencies toward specific applicant types, and regional preferences based on your background.

Advanced Filtering

  • Filters programs by applicant-specific preferences like specialty, geographic location, or specific visa sponsorship needs.
  • Incorporates dynamic filters for signals (e.g., program-specific preferences or invitations based on signaling data).

Program Fine Selection

  • Ranks programs using a composite score calculated from key indicators like historical applicant success rates, median Step scores, and program composition.
  • Includes predictive analytics to forecast the likelihood of success based on historical trends and applicant profiles.

Signal & Fit Optimization

  • Suggests strategic use of specialty signals, targeting programs most likely to respond positively to your profile.
  • Highlights programs offering the best match for your qualifications and goals.

Customization & Recommendations

  • Generates a curated list of programs (e.g., top 50 for Silver, up to 300 for Gold) tailored to your unique attributes.
  • Identifies opportunities to maximize application success, whether through focused applications or a broader strategy.

This approach combines data-driven insights with a personalized process to help applicants optimize their residency application strategy and maximize their success in The Match.

FAQ

Questions, Answered.

Still have questions? Talk to support.

It collects program-specific data—Step/Level score ranges, USCE and publication expectations, interview trends, and visa sponsorship policies—from verified sources including program websites, ACGME, FREIDA, and Residency Explorer. Every recommendation is grounded in accurate, up-to-date information rather than guesswork.

After gathering each program's criteria, SmartPick profiles your application—Step/Level scores, clinical experiences, years since graduation, visa needs, and preferences—and measures alignment against the program's thresholds. Programs where your profile clears the critical metrics rank higher than those where it falls short.

Each program receives a composite score built from indicators such as program competitiveness, median Step scores, IMG friendliness, applicant-type tendencies, and regional preferences tied to your background. Predictive analytics on historical match trends then estimate your likelihood of an interview, and programs are ordered by that fit.

Yes. As part of fit optimization, SmartPick identifies where your specialty signals are most likely to be recognized and acted on, so a limited resource is spent on the programs most likely to respond positively to your profile.

Visa sponsorship policies and IMG friendliness are factored directly into scoring and filtering. The model surfaces programs that have historically interviewed applicants with backgrounds like yours, instead of ones that quietly screen them out.

Still have a question?

Talk to us or quickly send us a message via WhatsApp.