• Liana Puscas, Scott R Sharp, Brian Schwab, and Walter T Lee.
• Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
• Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2012 Jan 1; 138 (1): 10-4.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the criteria used by otolaryngology programs in ranking residency candidates and to compare residency candidate ranking criteria among otolaryngology programs and applicant expectations.DesignCross-sectional, anonymous survey administered during the 2009 and 2010 match cycles.SettingOtolaryngology residency programs.ParticipantsOtolaryngology residency program applicants (PAs) and otolaryngology program directors (PDs).Main Outcome MeasuresThe PDs were asked to rank the importance of 10 criteria in choosing a residency candidate on a 20-point scale (with 1 indicating utmost importance; 20, not important at all). The PAs were asked to express their expectations of how candidates should be ranked using those same criteria.ResultsThe interview and personal knowledge of the applicant (mean rank, 3.63) were the most important criteria to PDs, whereas the interview and letters of recommendation (mean rank, 3.65) were the most important criteria among PAs. Likelihood to rank program highly and ethnicity/sex were the least valued by PDs and PAs.ConclusionsAlthough PDs and PAs agree on the least important criteria for ranking otolaryngology residency candidates, they disagree on the most important criteria. This information provides insight into how programs select residency candidates and how this compares with applicant expectations. Furthermore, this information will assist applicants in understanding how they might be evaluated by programs. Improved understanding of the match process may increase the likelihood of having a good fit between otolaryngology programs and matched applicants.

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