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 all USMLE Step 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 September and the third Wednesday in October to hear exceptional candidate presentations. The ECC will then present recommendations for review and approval at the October and November GMEC meetings.
- Programs whose candidates were not approved in the October GMEC meeting may present additional candidates to be considered for the 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 September, with two approved in the October GMEC meeting. Fellowship X may submit two additional exceptional candidates in October for consideration in the November 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, January, and February 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.
2025-26 ECC Meetings and Agenda Closing Dates
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.