Integrated Plastic Surgery Applicant Review: Important Factors and Selection Criteria

Schultz, Kelly P.; Shih, Linden; Davis, Matthew J.; Reece, Edward M.; Buchanan, Edward P.; Maricevich, Renata S.; Winocour, Sebastian

doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002892

Cited by 68 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Experience in research is one of the key differences between high-achieving graduates and others. 10 It was ranked by the directors as the third most important factor, in our study. Moreover, half of the participants considered the quality of the publications as the most important factor when looking into research, meaning that research projects with more complex designs and bigger impact are optimal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…Letters of recommendation are known to springboard the chances of acceptance to residency training. 10 In this study, most of the directors deemed the mode of communicating the recommendation as the most important factor when considering recommendations. While each mode has its inherent advantages and disadvantages, we believe that in-person communication or phone calls are considered to be the strongest, followed by letters written particularly for the applicant and sent by the recommending person.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

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The Ideal Applicant to the Saudi Plastic Surgery Residency Program

Mardan

AlAmari

Alzahrani

et al. 2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Securing a plastic surgery position is a demanding task for students. Although many papers have been published internationally discussing the traits and features deemed important from the point of view of plastic surgery program directors, a gap exists in the literature where this aspect is not covered in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to fill this gap. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was developed targeting all current and former Saudi plastic surgery training program directors. SPSS was used to calculate frequencies and present percentages; independent t -test was done to look for mean differences. Ethical approval was obtained from a local institution. Results: All current and former Saudi plastic surgery program directors participated ( n = 17), including the 8 (47.1%) current directors. When asked to rank 7 items on a scale of importance, they scored a mean of 6.2, 5.8, 5.4, 4.88, 4.82, 4.6, and 3.7 for good impression on interviews, prior experience, research experience, the grade point average (GPA), oral or poster presentations on events, the Saudi Medical Licensing Examination (SMLE), and attaining a post-graduate degree, respectively. The majority [ n = 7 (41%)] considers the mode of communication, such as phone calls, as the most important aspect in recommendations. They prefer candidates who took electives/rotations at their department [ n = 12 (71%)] and give more value to high-quality publications [ n = 9 (47%)]. Applicant’s gender was not important. Conclusion: With early planning, this article could serve as a guide for medical students interested in plastic surgery to build their assets toward a successful interview.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

The Ideal Applicant to the Saudi Plastic Surgery Residency Program

Mardan

AlAmari

Alzahrani

et al. 2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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“…The literature on the integrated plastic surgery match has identified key characteristics necessary for a successful match. 12 , 13 , 19 – 21 , 29 Applicants who do not fulfill these criteria or have significant weaknesses may find themselves in a more difficult position when branded as a reapplicant. It may benefit the applicant to take a preemptive research year before their initial application in order to develop strong relationships and bolster their application earlier.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Reapplications to Integrated and Independent Plastic Surgery Residency

Wong

Nguyen

Janis

2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Plastic surgery is one of the most competitive specialties to match, with integrated plastic surgery having the highest rate of unmatched applicants in all categorical specialties. Unmatched applicants face difficult challenges, especially because there is a lack of data to help inform and guide both reapplicants and their advisors. Method: A national survey targeting plastic surgery applicants to both integrated and independent tracks from 2014 to 2020 was conducted in August 2020 to identify reapplicants, their application characteristics, and their outcomes. Results: Eighteen of the 54 (33.3%) integrated reapplicants responded to the survey, as well as 7 of the 42 (16.7%) independent reapplicants. Fifty percent of integrated reapplicants and 43% of independent reapplicants successfully eventually matched. For integrated reapplicants, the mean (SD) number of first cycle invites was the greatest predictor of eventual match success, 9.00 (5.93) invites for reapplicants that eventually successfully matched compared with 2.89 (2.89) for those that remained unmatched, P = 0.025. Integrated reapplicants obtained on average 2.47 less invites during the reapplicant cycle compared with the initial cycle, P = 0.046. A Fisher exact test revealed no differences in match outcomes of those integrated reapplicants who spent time in between cycles pursuing research compared with a preliminary surgical year, P = 0.99. Conclusions: Reapplication to both integrated and independent plastic surgery may result in worse matching outcomes compared with the initial match. Applicants should attempt to preemptively address potential initial application weaknesses as reapplication after a failed initial attempt may carry disadvantages.

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“…Previous studies relating to the Match in plastic surgery have included multiple program director questionnaires regarding applicant characteristics, standardized test scores, Alpha Omega Alpha Society (AOA) membership, and even regional bias in selecting residents [1,2,[4][5][6][7]12]. Resident selection is a multifactorial process that has many unknowns, therefore, reviewing data from previous application years is valuable in analyzing the factors that lead to successful matches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Medical students and American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency community members navigate the process of the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Match annually. There have been multiple studies that previously looked at the NRMP Match within plastic surgery including program director questionnaires [1,2] and studies reviewing characteristics of individuals who successfully match to a plastic surgery program [3][4][5][6][7]. Applying broadly is a common practice in plastic surgery, and other competitive specialties, and imposes a significant financial burden upon applicants [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Match During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

Whisonant¹,

Shahriari²,

Harrison³

et al. 2021

Cureus

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The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on medical education and on the 2021 Match. Visiting student rotations at locations other than students' home institutions were cancelled and residency interviews were hosted virtually. This study evaluated the impact that COVID-19 had on the 2021 Match including residency programs matching applicants from within their own institution as well as from within the same region. The sex of matched applicants in the Match cycles was analyzed as well. Data were collected from residency program websites, social media accounts, and communication with current residents. Data were tabulated and chi-square analysis was performed. The overall difference in matched internal candidates pre-/post-pandemic was determined to be statistically significant (8.3% increase; p = 0.004). The Midwest was determined to exhibit a significant increase for matching residents from medical schools in the same region (15.6% increase; p = 0.04). Female applicants were also determined to be significantly more likely to match into integrated plastic surgery programs in 2021. COVID-19 significantly impacted the 2021 Match with an increased number of programs selecting internal candidates, matched female applicants, and regional selectivity, especially in the Midwest. It is our hope that applicants, programs, and the plastic surgery community will use this information to continue to improve the residency selection process in the future.

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Integrated Plastic Surgery Applicant Review: Important Factors and Selection Criteria

Cited by 68 publications

References 30 publications

The Ideal Applicant to the Saudi Plastic Surgery Residency Program

The Ideal Applicant to the Saudi Plastic Surgery Residency Program

Analysis of Reapplications to Integrated and Independent Plastic Surgery Residency

Evaluating the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Match During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

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