Applying to Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Programs: Trends in the Past 5 Years of the Match

Abstract

Within the setting of increased applicant competitiveness, the authors recommend maximizing subjective qualities in order to differentiate themselves from a highly eligible applicant pool. In addition, applicants should diversify the types of programs at which they interview to maximize their chances of matching.

Integrated Plastic Surgery Applicant Review: Important Factors and Selection Criteria

“…With a strong emphasis on research, there is a new rise in the number of students taking time off from medical school to pursue dedicated research fellowships. 1 , 3 Mehta et al 1 recently reported that, on average, research fellows publish 5.25 articles and give 5.4 oral presentations and 3 poster presentations per year, exceeding the productivity expectations of polled faculty. Most importantly, the match rate from 2013 to 2016 for those who completed a research fellowship was significantly higher than that for those who did not (97% versus 81%).…”

“…The most important and commonly cited objective criteria considered in selection of plastic surgery applicants are research productivity, USMLE scores, AOA membership, and medical school reputation. 1 , 3 , 5 – 8 …”

“…1 , 4 , 8 The mean number of publications authored by matched plastic surgery applicants has increased considerably over the last decade (3.4 in 2007 versus 14.2 in 2018). 3 , 6 However, a 2006 study reported that, while applicants with one or more publications received significantly more interview invitations than those with none, the quantity of an applicant’s publications did not correlate with the number of interview invitations. 9 In 2018, unmatched applicants reported a mean of 14.9 abstracts, presentations, and publications, while matched applicants reported 14.2.…”

“…Integrated plastic surgery applications routinely report some of the highest rates of AOA membership. 3 , 6 This honorary membership was once thought to be the most important objective criterion in assessing an applicant’s academic potential but has taken on relatively less importance in recent years. 3 , 7 While still of value and associated with match success, AOA membership demonstrated decreasing relative match index from 2009 to 2014 and was found to be a weak predictor of success in the match.…”

“… 3 , 6 This honorary membership was once thought to be the most important objective criterion in assessing an applicant’s academic potential but has taken on relatively less importance in recent years. 3 , 7 While still of value and associated with match success, AOA membership demonstrated decreasing relative match index from 2009 to 2014 and was found to be a weak predictor of success in the match. 3 , 7 This shift in importance is likely due to institutional variability in AOA availability and selection criteria, as well as increasing applicant competitiveness in other areas.…”