title: Applicant Characteristics Associated With Selection for Ranking at Independent Surgery Residency Programs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated characteristics of applicants selected for interview and ranked by independent general surgery residency programs and assessed independent program application volumes, interview selection, rank list formation, and match success.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and academic information was analyzed for 2014-2015 applicants. Applicant characteristics were compared by ranking status using univariate and multivariable statistical techniques. Characteristics independently associated with whether or not an applicant was ranked were identified using multivariable logistic regression modeling with backward stepwise variable selection and cluster-correlated robust variance estimates to account for correlations among individuals who applied to multiple programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Electronic Residency Application Service was used to obtain applicant data and program match outcomes at 33 independent surgery programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  All applicants selected to interview at 33 participating independent general surgery residency programs were included in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Applicants were 60% male with median age of 26 years. Birthplace was well distributed. Most applicants (73%) had ≥1 academic publication. Median United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE) Step 1 score was 228 (interquartile range: 218-240), and median USMLE Step 2 clinical knowledge score was 241 (interquartile range: 231-250). Residency programs in some regions more often ranked applicants who attended medical school within the same region. On multivariable analysis, significant predictors of ranking by an independent residency program were: USMLE scores, medical school region, and birth region. Independent programs received an average of 764 applications (range: 307-1704). On average, 12% interviews, and 81% of interviewed applicants were ranked. Most programs (84%) matched at least 1 applicant ranked in their top 10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participating independent programs attract a large volume of applicants and have high standards in the selection process. This information can be used by surgery residency applicants to gauge their candidacy at independent programs. Independent programs offer a select number of interviews, rank most applicants that they interview, and successfully match competitive applicants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, Virginia. Electronic address: jonathan.dort@inova.org.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dort
authors.affiliation: Advanced Surgical Technology and Education Center, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, Virginia.
authors.forename: Amber W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Trickey
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Gundersen Medical Foundation, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Kara J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kallies
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Amit R T
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Iowa Methodist, Des Moines, Iowa.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sidwell
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Benjamin T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Jarman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D010560:Personnel Selection; D014481:United States
keywords: ERAS; Medical Knowledge; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Systems-Based Practice; applicant ranking; application; demographics; graduate medical education; independent programs; interview; program director; resident match; surgery residency