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Graduate Medical Education: GMEC Exceptional Candidate Subcommittee

GMEC Exceptional Candidate Subcommittee

The Exceptional Candidate Committee (ECC) is a subcommittee of the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC).  As outlined in ACGME Institutional Requirements [1.13.o.], the GMEC is responsible for review and approval of exceptionally qualified candidates for resident/fellow appointments who do not satisfy the Sponsoring Institution’s resident/fellow eligibility policy and/or resident/ fellow eligibility requirements in the Common Program Requirements.
 
Criteria for Candidate to be Considered ECC

  • Demonstrates clinical excellence in comparison to peers in the residency program.
  • Letter of good standing from residency
  • Letter of support from an ACGME-accredited program with reasoning
  • Evidence of exceptional qualifications.
  • Additional clinical or research training within core specialty or desired subspecialty;
  • Scholarship within core specialty or desired subspecialty; and/or
  • Leadership during or after residency.
  • Evidence of clinical activity within the past two years.
  • Externships, observerships, internships, or clinical practice in another country.
  • Successful completion (pass) of USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 examinations.
  • Program Director submission of completed Exceptional Candidate Criteria Checklist by the agenda closing date.

 
Timeline for Pre-Match Review

  • Programs may submit exceptional candidates for GMEC review prior to the Match, with submissions not exceeding their available quota plus one.
    • Example: Fellowship X has an available quota of three in the MATCH. Fellowship X may submit up to four exceptional candidates for review prior to the MATCH.
  • To be considered, programs should submit complete information packets for each candidate for GMEC review by the prescribed deadline.  
  • The Exceptional Candidate Committee (ECC) will meet on the third Wednesday in August through October to hear exceptional candidate presentations. The ECC will then present recommendations for review and approval at the September, October, and November GMEC meetings.
  • Programs whose candidates were not approved in the September or October GMEC meeting may present additional candidates to be considered for the October or November GMEC meeting, but the total number of submissions may not exceed their available quota plus one.
    • Example: Fellowship X submitted three exceptional candidates in August, with two approved in the October GMEC meeting.  Fellowship X may submit two additional exceptional candidates in September for consideration in the October GMEC meeting, since their available quota is three.
  • Programs may submit approved exceptional candidates on their rank list for the MATCH in addition to their applicants who meet standard eligibility requirements.

 
Timeline for Post-Match Review

  • UnMatched programs may submit exceptional candidates for GMEC review with submissions not exceeding their available quota plus one.
    • Example: Fellowship X has an available quota of three prior to the MATCH. They filled one position in the MATCH. They now have an available quota of two and may present up to three exceptional candidates for review.
  • Given the acuity of the post-MATCH interview process, the ECC will meet on the third Wednesday in December through May to hear exceptional candidate presentations.  The ECC will then submit recommendations to the GMEC for review and approval electronically.
  • An “Emergency” or ad hoc GMEC review will not be offered to ensure that the ECC and the larger GMEC adequately review each candidate.


2026-27 ECC Meetings and Agenda Closing Dates

Agenda Closing Date (Packet Submission Deadline)ECC MeetingGMEC Meeting
August 12, 2026August 19, 2026September 2, 2026
September 9, 2026September 16, 2026October 7, 2026
October 14, 2026October 21, 2026November 4, 2026
December 9, 2026December 16, 2026n/a – electronic R&A
January 13, 2027January 20, 2027February 3, 2027
February 10, 2027February 17, 2027March 3, 2027
March 10, 2027March 17, 2027April 7, 2027
April 14, 2027April 21, 2027May 5, 2027
May 12, 2027May 19, 2027June 2, 2027

Packets should be submitted to Brenda Burks at BEBurks@uams.edu. Please ensure all submissions are complete and received by the agenda closing date to allow adequate review.


If you have questions regarding candidate eligibility or the submission process, please contact the GME Office at AskGME@uams.edu.