title: The predictive value of application variables on the global rating of applicants to a general surgery residency program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Selection of applicants to residency programs can involve a great deal of variability. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between different subjective and objective application variables and the global rating score (GRS) of applicants to a general surgery residency program.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of data collected from the Electronic Residency Application Service on 188 applicants to a general surgery residency program from 2010 to 2013. Subjective variables including letters of recommendation (LORs), personal statements (PSs), and volunteer work were blindly assessed by raters using a literature-based method of evaluation. Objective data included several variables, such as United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores. Each applicant received a GRS, which was a faculty-given numerical value reflecting both interview performance and overall application strength. The effect of subjective and objective variables on the GRS was determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Geisinger Medical Center, a rural moderate-sized general surgery residency program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all the application variables examined, bivariate analysis indicated that having no prior residency (p = 0.0023), prior medical work (p = 0.0329), higher USMLE Step II Clinical Knowledge scores (p = 0.0021), higher overall PS score (p = 0.0125) and PS Written Expression score (p = 0.0007), and LORs from surgeons in leadership positions (p = 0.0029) have a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the GRS. Of these factors, USMLE Step II Clinical Knowledge score, PS Written Expression score, no prior residency, prior medical work, and LORs from surgeon in lead position had a significant effect on GRS based on multivariate stepwise regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our analysis identifies specific surgical resident applicant variables that are predictive of the GRS. Interestingly, most of these factors were objective. This may allow for the development of a more quantitative tool for selection of applicants.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plank
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dove
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Woll
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hunsinger
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blansfield
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: mmshabahang@geisinger.edu.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shabahang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012570:School Admission Criteria / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; Systems-Based Practice; admissions; general surgery; predictive factors; residency