Characteristics of highly ranked applicants to general surgery residency programs

Steven C. Stain, Jonathan R. Hiatt, Ashar Ata, Stanley W. Ashley, Kevin K. Roggin, John R. Potts, Richard A. Moore, Joseph M. Galante, L. D. Britt, Karen E. Deveney, E. Christopher Ellison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Importance: With duty hour debates, specialization, and sex distribution changes in the applicant pool, the relative competitiveness for general surgery residency (GSR) is undefined. Objective: To determine the modern attributes of top-ranked applicants to GSR. Design: Validation cohort, survey. Setting: National sample of university and community-based GSR programs. Participants: Data were abstracted from Electronic Residency Application Service files of the top 20-ranked applicants to 22 GSR programs. We ranked program competitiveness and blinded review of personal statements. Main Outcomes and Measures: Characteristics associated with applicant ranking by the GSR program (top 5 vs 6-20) and ranking by highly competitive programs were identified using t and χ2 tests and modified Poisson regression. Results: There were 333 unique applicants among the 440 Electronic Residency Application Service files. Most applicants had research experience (93.0%) and publications (76.8%), and 28.4% had Alpha Omega Alpha membership. Nearly half were women (45.2%), with wide variation by program (20.0%-75.0%) and a trend toward fewer women at programs in the South and West (38.0% and 37.5%, respectively). Men had higher United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores (238.0 vs 230.1; P < .001) but similar Step 2 scores (245.3 vs 244.5; P = .54). Using bivariate analysis, highly competitive programs were more likely to rank applicants with publications, research experience, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, higher Step 1 scores, and excellent personal statements and those who were male or Asian. However, the only significant predictors were Step 1 scores (relative risk [RR], 1.36 for every 10-U increase), publications (RR, 2.20), personal statements (RR, 1.62), and Asian race (RR, 1.70 vs white). Alpha Omega Alpha membership (RR, 1.62) and Step 1 scores (RR, 1.01) were the only variables predictive of ranking in the top 5. Conclusions and Relevance: This national sample shows GSR is a highly competitive, sex-neutral discipline in which academic performance is the most important factor for ranking, especially in the most competitive programs. This study will inform applicants and program directors about applicants to the GSR program.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)413-417
Number of pages5
JournalJAMA Surgery
Volume148
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characteristics of highly ranked applicants to general surgery residency programs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this