M1 + M2 6

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Statistics

( 2011 NRMP specialty specific match data; Additional NRMP match data)

Grades
Applicants should aim at being within the top 3rd of the class. While outstanding grades in the first two years of medical school are helpful, program directors know that 3rd and 4th year clinical grades are one of the most reliable predictors of strong future residency performance. Grades within the field (sub-I and visiting rotations) are given the strongest weight, followed closely by grades within certain core rotations such as medicine and surgery. Do not freak-out if you do not receive honors on every rotation – extremely few applicants honor every class. Obviously, focus your energy on the rotations that carry the most weight. Like all surgical fields, having AOA on your application is extremely helpful for getting noticed by top programs. While AOA membership will by no means guarantee residency placement, it does help get interviews. Selection committees know that many medical schools do not have AOA chapters and additionally, criteria for induction vary from school to school. AOA is helpful but not necessary to match at a top program after all only about 25-35% of applicants are members.

Board scores (and when should I take Step II CK?)
Your USMLE Step 1 score is one of the few factors that most programs will initially use to narrow down their application number from 300 to 100. Make sure that you allocate ample time toward studying for this exam so that you score well. Many, but not all, programs will use arbitrary cut-off scores to help determine who they will invite for an interview -- having a score of ≥ 230 will usually make the cut at most places. Remember that your application is a package deal (not just your board score) so if your score is significantly less than the 235-240 average, you should focus on making up for this deficit in other areas of your application. One good way that applicants can make up for less than ideal performance on Step I is to take Step II early enough for it to be added to the application and of course nail it! If you decide to go this route, you must be confident that you will increase your score by a significant amount. If your USMLE score is already good, it may be risky to take Step II early since you have more to lose by scoring poorly.

Related articles:
The resident selection process in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery
Predictors of residency performance: a follow-up study
Predictors for resident success in otolaryngology

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