2025 NRMP data · moderately competitive

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ERAS Application Editing

Specialty-specific review for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) applicants. Matched applicants averaged Step 2 CK 248. We help you meet that bar.

89.1%
US MD match rate
55
Programs
240
PGY-1 positions
100%
Fill rate
What programs see

Top concerns in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation applications

The patterns reviewers flag most often when screening Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation candidates.

Concern 1

Generic personal statement that could describe any specialty

Concern 2

No PM&R-specific elective or sub-I rotation

Concern 3

Missing letter from a physiatrist

Concern 4

Underestimating PM&R competitiveness at academic programs

Concern 5

Limited understanding of the scope of the specialty in the personal statement

What reviewers weight

What Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PDs prioritise

  • Specific patient encounter demonstrating the value of rehabilitation

  • PM&R-specific clinical or research experience

  • Letter from a physiatrist who supervised you

  • Step 2 CK above 240

  • Involvement with disability advocacy or rehabilitation research

Scores & metrics
Step 2 CK · matched248
Step 2 CK · unmatched241
Research experiences3.4
Publications / abstracts8.6
Avg programs ranked13
Program signals8
Application tips

How we help Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation applicants compete

Three concrete moves we'll work through with you, drawn from current NRMP / Charting Outcomes data.

1

Complete at least one PM&R elective and secure a letter from a physiatrist — the field is small (55 programs, 240 positions) and PDs value direct clinical exposure.

2

Apply to all 55 PM&R programs given the small number of positions; DO seniors filled 37.5% of positions in 2025, indicating strong DO competitiveness.

3

Use all 8 signals for your top geographic and academic programs; PM&R filled 100% of its 240 positions in 2025.

Cycle trends

What's changed in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation recently

  • PM&R filled all 240 PGY-1 positions (100%) in the 2025 NRMP Match, with a strong DO representation (37.5% of filled positions).
  • ERAS signaling (8 flat-tier signals) was implemented for PM&R in the 2023-2024 cycle.
  • Growing interest in PM&R driven by musculoskeletal medicine, sports medicine, and interventional pain management has increased program selectivity at top academic centers.

Ready to compete in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

We'll pair you with a reviewer who's served on Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation selection committees. Your personal statement, CV, and signal strategy — line-edited against the bar above.

Application Ready · $899Compare All Tiers

Data sourced from NRMP / AAMC, NRMP / AAMC. Match year 2025.