In competitive fields such as general surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, and orthopedic surgery, over 25% of U.S. senior allopathic applicants failed to match.
The numbers are significantly worse for osteopathic and international medical graduates (IMGs).Â
As an applicant, your goal is to match into your preferred specialty, and ideally your preferred program. The evidence indicates that it has never been more difficult to reach these goals.
Over a decade ago, in response to an anticipated physician manpower shortage, allopathic and osteopathic medical schools increased student enrollment. New schools were also established. However, the number of residency positions has not risen at a commensurate level. As more and more graduates have entered the Match, the competition for available residency positions has intensified.
What does it take to match successfully in such a fiercely competitive environment?
The first edition of this book was published in 2009, and while the core strategies for a successful match remain the same, some important changes have occurred. The most relevant is that the competition is more intense. This has translated to applicants applying more widely and extensively than ever before. The larger number of applications means more challenges for programs. Programs are finding it difficult to reduce this large group of applicants into a smaller, more manageable number who will receive interview invitations.Â
With increased competition, it has become even more important to ensure that your application stands out from the hundreds or even thousands of applications that your dream program has received.
What does it take to achieve a successful match? It takes the right strategy.Â
In the 600 plus pages of this book, we answer the question of what it takes to match successfully. As with our previous edition, we provide specific evidence-based advice to maximize your chances of a successful match.
Inside:
- Interviews with program directors and data from the recent literature reveal what programs value in the personal statement. Use this knowledge to develop a powerful and compelling personal statement.Â
- With 86% of programs citing LORs as a factor in selecting applicants to interview, it's critical that you have the best possible letters written on your behalf. Our resource will show you how to partner with your letter writers to achieve this goal.
- Audition electives are very important in many specialties. We review what factors to consider when choosing an elective and describe how to deliver an outstanding performance.
- The interview is the most important factor in the residency selection process. Our expanded interview section spanning 6 chapters will leave you thoroughly prepared, and ready to impress on the interview day.Â
- Our chapter "Interview Questions" will show you how to develop stand-out responses to commonly asked questions.Â
- Discover powerful techniques to make favorable impressions during the traditional, behavioral, panel, conversational, and stress interview.
- Dedicated chapters to osteopathic (including AOA Match), U.S. citizen IMGs, and non-U.S. citizen IMGs present specific challenges for each group of applicants, and how to overcome these obstacles.
- The Chapter "Couples Match" covers major errors which lead to suboptimal match outcomes, and shows you how to avoid them.
- Nearly 200 pages of incredibly detailed Specialty-Specific Information will allow you develop a success strategy for multiple specialties until your specialty choice becomes clear.
Featuring discussion of these issues and more, this book will provide you with specific, concrete recommendations that will maximize your chances of achieving the ultimate goal: that of a successful match.
