Otolaryngology residency selection process. Medical student perspective
S. P. Stringer, N. J. Cassisi and W. H. Slattery
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
In an effort to improve the otolaryngology matching process at the
University of Florida, Gainesville, we sought to obtain the medical
student's perspective of the current system. All students who interviewed
here over a 3-year period were surveyed regarding the application,
interview, and ranking process. In addition, suggestions for improving the
system were sought from the students. The application and interviewing
patterns of the students surveyed were found to be similar to those of the
entire otolaryngology residency applicant pool. We were unable to identify
any factors that influence a student's rank list that could be
prospectively used to help select applicants for interview. A variety of
suggestions for improvements in the match were received, several of which
could easily be instituted. A uniform interview invitation date as
requested by the students could be rapidly implemented and would provide
benefits for both the students and the residency programs.
