The Pediatric Match Frenzy: An Overview and an Approach for Mentoring Medical Students.

Applying for a pediatric residency position has become an increasingly stressful event and recently medical educators have described it as a "Match Frenzy." Match statistics demonstrate increased competition for pediatric residency positions and a record number of applications. Faculty who mentor medical students are now challenged to counsel them through the intensified process and pediatric residency programs are now forced to navigate the rising number of applications. We define the Match Frenzy and its implications, review historical and current match statistics, and describe a data-driven approach to the problem. Through mitigating the frenzy surrounding this process, we can help students and residency programs better allocate their precious resources.