Current Interview Trail Metrics in the Otolaryngology Match

Abstract

Objectives To identify how applicants to otolaryngology residency determine how to apply to, interview with, and rank programs on the interview trail and to determine the extent of the financial burden of the otolaryngology interview trail. Study Design Web-based survey distributed in March and April 2016. Setting Otolaryngology residency applicants throughout the United States. Subjects and Methods Applicants to otolaryngology residency during the 2016 match cycle and current otolaryngology residents were surveyed. Results Median number of applications, interview offers, interviews attended, and programs ranked was not different during the 2016 match and the previous 5 match years. The most important factor affecting the number of applications was the need to apply widely to ensure sufficient interview offers. The most common reason for declining an interview offer was scheduling conflict. Applicants during the 2016 match spent a median of $5400 applying and interviewing for otolaryngology residency. Conclusions Median number of applications, interview offers, interviews attended, and programs ranked has not changed. The most cited reason for applying to many programs was to increase the chances of matching, but this is not statistically likely to increase match success. We advocate for continued attempts to make the otolaryngology match process more transparent for both applicants and resident selection committees, but recognize that applicants are likely to continue to overapply for otolaryngology residency positions.

I dream of Gini: Quantifying inequality in otolaryngology residency interviews

“…Furthermore, applying to residency is expensive. Cabrera‐Muffly et al reported that the average OHNS applicant spent $5,400 on application fees and interview travel expenses . Chang and Erhardt estimated that the aggregate OHNS application cost was approximately $560,395 in 2015 .…”

“…This is supported by the NRMP applicant survey, which showed that in 2017 matched applicants received 19 interview offers but were only able to attend and rank 14 . Furthermore, according to Cabrera‐Muffly et al, 74% of applicants reported declining an interview offer due to scheduling conflicts . In comparison, fields such as diagnostic radiology tend to offer a wider selection of interview dates, and thus conflicts may play a role in mitigating hoarding.…”

“…Cabrera-Muffly et al reported that the average OHNS applicant spent $5,400 on application fees and interview travel expenses. 18 Chang and Erhardt estimated that the aggregate OHNS application cost was approximately $560,395 in 2015. 8 As a result, although candidates may wish to attend more interviews, they may be financially limited in doing so.…”

“…10 Furthermore, according to Cabrera-Muffly et al, 74% of applicants reported declining an interview offer due to scheduling conflicts. 18 In comparison, fields such as diagnostic radiology tend to offer a wider selection of interview dates, and thus conflicts may play a role in mitigating hoarding.…”

Not a Cheap Investment: Estimating the Cost of the 2017 to 2018 Ophthalmology Residency Match to the Applicant and Program

“…Application fees for the SF Match Residency Matching Services were used to determine the mean application cost for matched and unmatched applicants. 16 Existing literature was used to estimate the applicant cost per interview 3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] ; the mean of these reports was used.…”