title: The Cost of Getting Into Orthopedic Residency: Analysis of Applicant Demographics, Expenditures, and the Value of Away Rotations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about the demographics and expenditures of applicants attempting to match into the competitive field of orthopedic surgery. In attempt to better inform potential applicants, the purposes of this work are to (1) better understand the demographics of successfully matched applicants, (2) determine the monetary cost of applying, and (3) assess the value of away rotations for improving chances of a successful match.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective comparative survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rochester, MN.
  
  
  METHODS
  A week following the 2015 Orthopedic Surgery Residency Match, a survey was sent to 1,091. The survey focused on applicant demographics, number of programs applied to, cost of applying, and the value of away rotations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 408 applicants completed the survey (response rate = 37%). Of these, 312 (76%) matched and 96 (24%) did not match into a US Orthopedic Surgery Residency. Of the matched applicants, 300 (96%) were from US allopathic medical schools, 9 (3%) US Osteopathic Schools, and 3 (1%) were international graduates. Males comprised 84% of these applicants whereas 16% were female. The mean number of programs applied to was 71 (range: 20-140). On average, applicants were offered 16 interviews (range: 1-53) and they attended 11 (range: 0-12). Completing a rotation at a program increased an applicant׳s chances of matching into that program by a factor of 1.5 (60% vs 40%). Of the applicants who matched, most applicants matched to an orthopedic residency in the same region where the applicant attended medical school (58%). The average cost of the application was $1,664 (range: $100-$5,000) whereas the cost of interviews (travel, food, etc.) was $3,656 (range: $15-$20,000). Total expenditures ranged from $450 to $25,000 (mean = $5,415). Over 8% of matched applicants spent >$10,000.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gaining acceptance into orthopedic surgery residency remains a very competitive process. Away rotations appear to correlate strongly with match status; however, the process remains quite expensive for applicants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rochester, Minnesota. Electronic address: camp.christopher@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Camp
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Arlen D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hanssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsIowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orthopedics, Orlando, Florida.
authors.forename: George J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Haidukewych
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Oakes
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Norman S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Professionalism; Systems-Based Practice; cost; medical students; orthopedic surgery; residency application