Results of the 2008 NRMP Program Director Survey pdf

www.nrmp.org
December 2008
Results of the 2008
NRMP Program Director Survey

Requests for permission to use these data as well as questions about the content of this
publication or the National Resident Matching Program data collections may be directed to
Philip Szenas, Director of Research, National Resident Matching Program,
at

Questions about the NRMP should be directed to Mona Signer, Executive Director, NRMP,
at

Suggested Citation

National Resident Matching Program, Data Release and Research Committee: Results of the
2008 NRMP Program Director Survey. National Resident Matching Program, Washington, DC.
2008.


Copyright ©2008 National Resident Matching Program.
Table of Contents


Introduction 1
All Specialties 2
Charts for Individual Specialties
Anesthesiology 9
Dermatology 16
Diagnostic Radiology 23
Emergency Medicine 30

Family Medicine 37
General Surgery 44
Internal Medicine 51
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics 58
Neurology 65
Obstetrics and Gynecology 72
Orthopaedic Surgery 79
Otolaryngology 86
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical 93
Pediatrics 100
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 107
Plastic Surgery 114
Psychiatry 121
Radiation Oncology 128
Transitional Year 135
Introduction
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)
conducted a survey of the directors of all programs
participating in the 2008 Main Residency Match. The
primary purpose of the survey was to shed light on the
factors that program directors use in both (1) selecting
applicant to interview and (2) ranking applicants for the
Match.
The survey was fielded during the 19 days between the
rank order list deadline and Match Week so that program
match outcomes would not influence respondents'
answers.
The survey solicited information on:
• The number of applications received, screened, and
reviewed, as well as the number of applicants

interviewed and ranked
• The percentage of interview slots offered prior to the
November 1 release date of the Medical Student
Performance Evaluation (MSPE/Dean's Letter)
• Whether the program typically interviews and ranks
specific applicant groups
•
The use of test scores in considering which applicants
to interview, and
• The factors used for both interview selection and for
ranking applicants.
The overall response rate for the 19 largest specialties
detailed in this report was 55.6 percent; and ranged from a
high of 70.0 percent for Emergency Medicine to a low of
39.0 for Transitional Year (see table below).
This report presents preliminary results on selected items
from the survey by specialty. The NRMP hopes that
program directors, school officials, and applicants find
these data useful as they prepare for and participate in the
Match.

_______________


The NRMP's data reporting and research activities are
guided by its Data Release and Research Committee.
NRMP data and reports can be found at:
www.nrmp.org/data/.

Specialty
Surveys
Sent
Number
Responding
Response
Rate
Anesthesiology 169 84 49.7%
Dermatology 110 61 55.5%
Diagnostic Radiology 205 109 53.2%
Emergency Medicine 140 98 70.0%
Family Medicine 455 282 62.0%
General Surgery 241 112 46.5%
Internal Medicine 423 200 47.3%
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics 79 36 45.6%
Neurology 131 73 55.7%
Obstetrics and Gynecology 238 146 61.3%
Orthopaedic Surgery 160 87 54.4%
Otolaryngology 105 59 56.2%
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical 146 99 67.8%
Pediatrics 189 127 67.2%
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 89 46 51.7%
Plastic Surgery 48 32 66.7%
Psychiatry 182 96 52.7%
Radiation Oncology 77 45 58.4%
Transitional Year 123 48 39.0%
Total: 3,310 1,840 55.6%

NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 1

A
ll Specialties Combined
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 2

Figure 1
All Specialties
Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor in Selecting Applicants to Interview
Medical School Performance and Test Scores
76%
71%
69%
69%
66%
63%
63%
62%
49%
75%
75%
74%
73%
82%
70%
34%
64%
54%
53%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
Grades in required clerkships
Grades in clerkship in desired specialty
Gaps in medical education
Class ranking/quartile
Honors in clinical clerkships
Consistency of grades
Honors in clerkship in desired specialty
Honors in basic sciences
Department chair in the specialty
Colleague in the specialty
Clerkship director in the specialty
Other faculty
USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 score
Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school
Graduate of highly regarded U.S. medical school
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership
Medical School Performance
Standardized Test Score
s
U.S. Allopathic Graduate
s
Letters of Recommendation from
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 3

Figure 1
(continued)
All Specialties

Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor in Selecting Applicants to Interview
Other Factors
75%
59%
59%
57%
56%
52%
41%
66%
66%
64%
59%
34%
45%
42%
41%
38%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Personal Statement
Volunteer/extracurricular experiences
Other life experience
Applicant was flagged with NRMP match violation
Community service
Visa status
Fluency in language spoken by patient population
Perceived commitment to specialty
Personal prior knowledge of the applicant
Audition elective/rotation within your department
Perceived interest in program

Away rotation in your specialty at another institution
Involvement in research
Interest in research
Involvement in specialty-specific research
Interest in academic career
Personal Statemen
t
Commitmen
t
Research
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 4
All Specialties
Mean Importance Ratings* of Factors in Applicant Ranking
Medical School Performance and Test Scores
*Ratings on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important).
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.7
3.6
3.8
2.9
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.5
3.8
3.3

3.2
3.8
3.6
2.3
12345
Grades in clerkship in desired specialty
Grades in required clerkships
Honors in clerkship in desired specialty
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
Honors in clinical clerkships
Class ranking/quartile
Consistency of grades
Gaps in medical education
Honors in basic sciences
Clerkship director in specialty
Colleague in the specialty
Chair in the specialty
Other faculty
Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school
Graduate of highly regarded U.S. medical school
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership
USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 score
Mean Rating +/- 1 Standard Deviation
Medical School Performance/Grade
s
U.S. Allopathic Graduate
s
Standardized Test Score

s
Letters of Recommendation from

Figure 2
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 5

Figure 2
(continued)
All Specialties
Mean Importance Ratings* of Factors in Applicant Ranking
Other Factors
*Ratings on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important).
4.3
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.1
3.8
4.1
3.7
4.3
3.4
3.1
3.6
3.6
2.5
3.3
3.1
3.0
2.9

2.8
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.3
12345
Interpersonal skills exhibited during interview
Interactions with faculty during interview
Professional attributes exhibited during interview
Interactions with housestaff during interview
Feedback from current residents
Leadership qualities exhibited during interview
Perceived commitment to specialty
Perceived interest in program
Applicant was flagged with NRMP Match violation
Visa status
Fluency in language spoken by patient population
Personal prior knowledge of the applicant
Audition elective/rotation within your department
Away rotation in your specialty at another institution
Personal statement
Other life experience
Volunteer/extracurricular experiences
Community service
Demonstrated involvement in research
Interest in research
Involvement in specialty-specific research
Interest in academic career
Other post-interview contact

Second interview/visit
Mean +/- 1 Standard Deviation
Residency Interview
Personal Statemen
t
Research Involvemen
t
Miscellaneous Applicant Consideration
s
Personal Knowledge of Applican
t
Post Interview Contac
t
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 6
USMLE Step 2
41.4%
21.4%
66.3%
33.2%
12.3%
25.4%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Yes, pass
only
Yes, target
score

Not Required Never Seldom Often
USMLE Step 1
40.8%
56.9%
18.7%
64.8%
16.5%
2.3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Yes, pass
only
Yes, target
score
Not Required Never Seldom Often
Scores Reqired? If Required, Do You Consider Applicants Who
Failed Exam on 1st Attempt?
Scores Reqired? If Required, Do You Consider Applicants
Who Failed Exam on 1st Attempt?
Figure 3
All Specialties
Percentage of Programs That Use USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Scores When
Considering Which Applicants to Interview
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 7
Figure 4
All Specialties
Percentage of Program's Interview Slots Offered Prior to the

November 1st MSPE Release Date
Percent of Programs
19.1%
15.7%
15%
12%
3.4%
34.8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
0% 1-24% 25-49% 50-74% 75-99% 100%
Percent of Interview Slots Filled
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 8

A
nesthesiology
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 9

Figure AN-1
Anesthesiology
Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor in Selecting Applicants to Interview
Medical School Performance and Test Scores
76%
66%
62%
68%
66%

59%
58%
57%
54%
68%
66%
64%
64%
81%
70%
31%
65%
58%
55%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
Grades in required clerkships
Grades in clerkship in desired specialty
Gaps in medical education
Class ranking/quartile
Honors in clinical clerkships
Consistency of grades
Honors in clerkship in desired specialty
Honors in basic sciences
Department chair in the specialty
Colleague in the specialty
Clerkship director in the specialty
Other faculty
USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 score

USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 score
Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school
Graduate of highly regarded U.S. medical school
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership
Medical School Performance
Standardized Test Score
s
U.S. Allopathic Graduate
s
Letters of Recommendation from
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 10

Figure AN-1
(continued)
Anesthesiology
Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor in Selecting Applicants to Interview
Other Factors
66%
57%
58%
51%
49%
45%
34%
70%
65%
77%
58%
32%
53%

46%
49%
45%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Personal Statement
Volunteer/extracurricular experiences
Other life experience
Applicant was flagged with NRMP match violation
Community service
Visa status
Fluency in language spoken by patient population
Perceived commitment to specialty
Personal prior knowledge of the applicant
Audition elective/rotation within your department
Perceived interest in program
Away rotation in your specialty at another institution
Involvement in research
Interest in research
Involvement in specialty-specific research
Interest in academic career
Personal Statemen
t
Commitmen
t
Research
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 11
Anesthesiology
Mean Importance Ratings* of Factors in Applicant Ranking
Medical School Performance and Test Scores
*Ratings on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important).

3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
4.0
3.9
4.1
3.4
3.8
3.6
3.7
3.4
3.8
3.5
3.5
4.1
4.1
2.6
12345
Grades in clerkship in desired specialty
Grades in required clerkships
Honors in clerkship in desired specialty
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
Honors in clinical clerkships
Class ranking/quartile
Consistency of grades
Gaps in medical education
Honors in basic sciences
Clerkship director in specialty

Colleague in the specialty
Chair in the specialty
Other faculty
Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school
Graduate of highly regarded U.S. medical school
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership
USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 score
Mean Rating +/- 1 Standard Deviation
Medical School Performance/Grade
s
U.S. Allopathic Graduate
s
Standardized Test Score
s
Letters of Recommendation from

Figure AN-2
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 12

Figure AN-2
(continued)
Anesthesiology
Mean Importance Ratings* of Factors in Applicant Ranking
Other Factors
*Ratings on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important).
4.2
4.1
4.1

3.9
3.8
3.8
4.4
4.0
4.2
3.3
2.9
4.0
3.9
2.7
3.0
3.0
2.7
2.5
3.1
2.9
3.1
2.9
2.8
2.5
12345
Interpersonal skills exhibited during interview
Interactions with faculty during interview
Professional attributes exhibited during interview
Interactions with housestaff during interview
Feedback from current residents
Leadership qualities exhibited during interview
Perceived commitment to specialty
Perceived interest in program

Applicant was flagged with NRMP Match violation
Visa status
Fluency in language spoken by patient population
Personal prior knowledge of the applicant
Audition elective/rotation within your department
Away rotation in your specialty at another institution
Personal statement
Other life experience
Volunteer/extracurricular experiences
Community service
Demonstrated involvement in research
Interest in research
Involvement in specialty-specific research
Interest in academic career
Other post-interview contact
Second interview/visit
Mean +/- 1 Standard Deviation
Residency Interview
Personal Statemen
t
Research Involvemen
t
Miscellaneous Applicant Consideration
s
Personal Knowledge of Applican
t
Post Interview Contac
t
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 13
USMLE Step 2

58%
33.8%
63.4%
6.2%
2.8%
35.8%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Yes, pass
only
Yes, target
score
Not Required Never Seldom Often
USMLE Step 1
13.4%
82.9%
21.5%
74.7%
3.8%
3.7%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Yes, pass

only
Yes, target
score
Not Required Never Seldom Often
Scores Reqired? If Required, Do You Consider Applicants Who
Failed Exam on 1st Attempt?
Scores Reqired? If Required, Do You Consider Applicants
Who Failed Exam on 1st Attempt?
Figure AN-3
Anesthesiology
Percentage of Programs That Use USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Scores When
Considering Which Applicants to Interview
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 14
Figure AN-4
Anesthesiology
Percentage of Program's Interview Slots Offered Prior to the
November 1st MSPE Release Date
Percent of Programs
21.7%
19.3%
15.7%
16.9%
6%
20.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
0% 1-24% 25-49% 50-74% 75-99% 100%
Percent of Interview Slots Filled

NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 15

Dermatology
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 16

Figure DM-1
Dermatology
Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor in Selecting Applicants to Interview
Medical School Performance and Test Scores
87%
82%
80%
67%
71%
78%
80%
76%
69%
87%
82%
82%
78%
76%
56%
29%
76%
58%
71%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Grades in required clerkships
Grades in clerkship in desired specialty
Gaps in medical education
Class ranking/quartile
Honors in clinical clerkships
Consistency of grades
Honors in clerkship in desired specialty
Honors in basic sciences
Department chair in the specialty
Colleague in the specialty
Clerkship director in the specialty
Other faculty
USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 score
Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school
Graduate of highly regarded U.S. medical school
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership
Medical School Performance
Standardized Test Score
s
U.S. Allopathic Graduate
s
Letters of Recommendation from
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 17

Figure DM-1
(continued)
Dermatology
Percentage of Programs Citing Each Factor in Selecting Applicants to Interview

Other Factors
91%
78%
73%
44%
75%
38%
40%
71%
76%
80%
64%
55%
71%
67%
76%
67%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Personal Statement
Volunteer/extracurricular experiences
Other life experience
Applicant was flagged with NRMP match violation
Community service
Visa status
Fluency in language spoken by patient population
Perceived commitment to specialty
Personal prior knowledge of the applicant
Audition elective/rotation within your department
Perceived interest in program
Away rotation in your specialty at another institution

Involvement in research
Interest in research
Involvement in specialty-specific research
Interest in academic career
Personal Statemen
t
Commitmen
t
Research
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 18
Dermatology
Mean Importance Ratings* of Factors in Applicant Ranking
Medical School Performance and Test Scores
*Ratings on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important).
4.2
4.1
4.2
3.9
4.1
3.8
3.9
3.4
3.5
4.3
4.2
4.3
3.7
3.8
3.2
3.4

3.8
3.3
2.1
12345
Grades in clerkship in desired specialty
Grades in required clerkships
Honors in clerkship in desired specialty
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
Honors in clinical clerkships
Class ranking/quartile
Consistency of grades
Gaps in medical education
Honors in basic sciences
Clerkship director in specialty
Colleague in the specialty
Chair in the specialty
Other faculty
Graduate of U.S. allopathic medical school
Graduate of highly regarded U.S. medical school
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership
USMLE/COMLEX Step 1 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 2 score
USMLE/COMLEX Step 3 score
Mean Rating +/- 1 Standard Deviation
Medical School Performance/Grade
s
U.S. Allopathic Graduate
s
Standardized Test Score
s

Letters of Recommendation from

Figure DM-2
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 19

Figure DM-2
(continued)
Dermatology
Mean Importance Ratings* of Factors in Applicant Ranking
Other Factors
*Ratings on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important).
4.0
4.0
3.9
4.0
3.7
3.7
4.2
3.8
3.5
2.7
2.6
3.9
3.6
2.8
3.8
3.3
3.1
3.1
3.3

3.2
3.3
3.5
1.9
1.5
12345
Interpersonal skills exhibited during interview
Interactions with faculty during interview
Professional attributes exhibited during interview
Interactions with housestaff during interview
Feedback from current residents
Leadership qualities exhibited during interview
Perceived commitment to specialty
Perceived interest in program
Applicant was flagged with NRMP Match violation
Visa status
Fluency in language spoken by patient population
Personal prior knowledge of the applicant
Audition elective/rotation within your department
Away rotation in your specialty at another institution
Personal statement
Other life experience
Volunteer/extracurricular experiences
Community service
Demonstrated involvement in research
Interest in research
Involvement in specialty-specific research
Interest in academic career
Other post-interview contact
Second interview/visit

Mean +/- 1 Standard Deviation
Residency Interview
Personal Statemen
t
Research Involvemen
t
Miscellaneous Applicant Consideration
s
Personal Knowledge of Applican
t
Post Interview Contac
t
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 20
USMLE Step 2
40%
50%
47.6%
9.1%
2.4%
50.9%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Yes, pass
only
Yes, target
score
Not Required Never Seldom Often
USMLE Step 1

25.4%
74.6%
44.8%
53.4%
1.7%
0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Yes, pass
only
Yes, target
score
Not Required Never Seldom Often
Scores Reqired? If Required, Do You Consider Applicants Who
Failed Exam on 1st Attempt?
Scores Reqired? If Required, Do You Consider Applicants
Who Failed Exam on 1st Attempt?
Figure DM-3
Dermatology
Percentage of Programs That Use USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Scores When
Considering Which Applicants to Interview
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 21
Figure DM-4
Dermatology
Percentage of Program's Interview Slots Offered Prior to the
November 1st MSPE Release Date
Percent of Programs

0% 1.7% 1.7% 0%
3.3%
93.3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0% 1-24% 25-49% 50-74% 75-99% 100%
Percent of Interview Slots Filled
NRMP Program Director Survey Results, 2008 22