Competitiveness of Otolaryngology Residency Applicants Without a Home Program

Purpose: Investigate if otolaryngology residency home programs (HP) are associated with advantages in National Resident Matching Program match compared to applicants without HPs.

Methods: Surveys were distributed to fourth-year medical students applying to otolaryngology residency (2015-2016 cycle) via OHNS (2015-2016) Applicants Closed Facebook Page and Otomatch. Applicant data analyzed included HP, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, number of away rotations, and matching at top choice.

Results: Applicants were grouped: (1) HP, (2) no HP but have ENT staff (staff), and (3) no HP or staff (none). Ninety-five percent of survey participants matched into otolaryngology (n = 62). A sub-analysis of match preference among matching applicants revealed 63% of participants with HP matched to their first choice compared to 56% (staff) and 14% (none) ( = .058). Match rate between those with any staff (HP or staff) versus those without was statistically significant ( = .037). Applicants without HPs went on more away rotations than students with HPs (mean: 2.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.7 ± 0.07,  = .0002). No statistical significance was seen between applicants with/without HP in regards to USMLE scores, publications, or number of interviews.

Conclusion: Applicants applying to otolaryngology residency without HPs are as competitive as those who have HPs. However, without HPs, applicants tend to participate in more away rotations and are less likely to match at their top choice.