Are you wondering how to match into otolaryngology? Or how many otolaryngology residency programs are there? Do you want to know everything there is about otolaryngology residency interviews? Need to know how many interviews to match in otolaryngology?
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to match into otolaryngology.
Summary:
- Otolaryngology is highly competitive, in part due to having high % of unmatched US seniors.
- In part due to the volume of applications, otolayrngology residency programs use standardized screens modestly to “weed out” applicants
- The most successful applicants will demonstrate lots of interest in programs, professionalism, ethics, and leadership qualities. They will also have a letter of recommendation in the specialty.
- Historically, most otolaryngology interview invites occur before November 30, and the vast majority before December 31.
Table of Contents
How Competitive is it to Match into Otolaryngology?
How competitive is it to match into otolaryngology in the US? Here we have the unmatched % for US seniors by specialty. The “Unmatched %” means the % of US seniors who applied into otolaryngology who did not match during the given year.
This is one measure of specialty competitiveness – perhaps the most relevant if you want to match into otolaryngology.
For more on the competitiveness of otolaryngology relative to other medical specialties, see this article.
How Many Otolaryngolgy Residency Programs Are There?
Before we discuss how many otolaryngology residency programs there are in the US, let’s review some terminology. For many specialized residency programs (e.g., anesthesiology, dermatology, radiology, radiation oncology, etc.), the specialty training begins during their second year of residency. This second year is also known as the PGY-2 (post-graduate year 2, for the second year after graduating from medical school).
Categorical vs. Advanced vs. Physician Otolaryngology Programs
Most residencies have three different kinds of residency programs applicants can potentially enter: categorical, advanced, and physician (R). Otolaryngology, however, only offers categorical positions.
Categorical refers to programs that include all years of residency training. Otolaryngology residency lasts 5 years. The first year of training, however, is a “preliminary” year in surgery. Most programs include the PGY-1 “intern” year – these programs are known as “categorical” programs.
How Many Otolaryngology Residency Programs and Positions Are There?
In the 2022 NRMP Match, there were:
- 134 otolaryngology programs offering 361 PGY-1 (categorical) positions,
- No programs offering PGY-2 (advanced) positions, and
- No programs offering Physician (R) positions
Thus, the total number of otolaryngology residency positions in 2022 was 361 + 0 + 0 = 361. There were at least 134 otolaryngology programs in 2022.
See the 2022 Main Residency Match Results and Data for more information on otolaryngology match statistics.
How to Match into Otolaryngology: Impressing Program Directors
To match into otolaryngology, you must first be invited to interview. According to the most recent program director (PD) survey from 2021, PDs shared what they look for in candidates they hope to interview.
For otolaryngology, the top five most important characteristics for receiving an interview, according to program directors, were:
- Letters of recommendation in specialty
- Perceived interest in program
- Grades in required clerkships
- Professionalism and ethics
- Leadership qualities
The same data are presented more fully in a table. Here you will see the % of program director respondents who cited a factor as important for granting an interview, as well as the mean importance score (out of 5).
To balance the breadth of program directors citing each factor with the importance given to each factor, a “composite score” was created. This composite score takes the average of the % respondents citing a factor with the importance score scaled to 100%. For example, if 80% of PDs cited a given factor, with a mean importance score of 5.0 (out of 5), the composite score would be 90%. (The average of 80% of PDs citing with 5/5 – or 100% – for the mean importance, for a composite score of 90%).
| Otolaryngology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to INTERVIEW (% of Respondents Endorsing) | Otolaryngology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to INTERVIEW (Mean Importance / 5) | Otolaryngology: Characteristics Considered for Interview Composite Score (Average of % Respondents Endorsing and Mean Importance / 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Letters of Recommendation in Specialty | 96.4% | 4.5 | 93.2% |
| Perceived Interest in Program | 82.1% | 4.6 | 87.1% |
| Grades in Required Clerkships | 92.9% | 4 | 86.5% |
| Professionalism and Ethics | 75.0% | 4.8 | 85.5% |
| Leadership Qualities | 78.6% | 4.5 | 84.3% |
| Diversity Characteristics | 85.7% | 4.1 | 83.9% |
| Personal Statement (Overall) | 89.3% | 3.9 | 83.7% |
| Involvement and Interest in Research | 78.6% | 4.4 | 83.3% |
| USMLE Step 1 Score | 89.3% | 3.7 | 81.7% |
| Perceived Commitment to Specialty | 75.0% | 4.4 | 81.5% |
| Grades in Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 82.1% | 4 | 81.1% |
| MSPE | 85.7% | 3.8 | 80.9% |
| Personal Prior Knowledge of Applicant | 75.0% | 4.3 | 80.5% |
| Having Overcome Significant Obstacles | 82.1% | 3.9 | 80.1% |
| Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience | 71.4% | 4.2 | 77.7% |
| Other Life Experience | 67.9% | 3.7 | 71.0% |
| Awards/Honors in Clinical Clerkships | 67.9% | 3.6 | 70.0% |
| AOA Membership | 71.4% | 3.4 | 69.7% |
| Audition Elective/Rotation in PD's Dept | 53.6% | 4.2 | 68.8% |
| Consistency of Grades | 53.6% | 4.1 | 67.8% |
| GHHS Membership | 64.3% | 3.3 | 65.2% |
| Class Ranking/Quartile | 53.6% | 3.7 | 63.8% |
| Awards/Honors, Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 53.6% | 3.5 | 61.8% |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 57.1% | 3.3 | 61.6% |
| Medical School Accreditation Status | 46.4% | 3.8 | 61.2% |
| Any Failed USMLE Attempt | 35.7% | 4.2 | 59.9% |
| Interest in Academic Career | 39.3% | 3.8 | 57.7% |
| NRMP Flag for Match Violation | 10.7% | 5 | 55.4% |
| Medical School Reputation | 35.7% | 3.7 | 54.9% |
| Continuous Medical Education w/o Gaps | 35.7% | 3.5 | 52.9% |
| Ability to Work Legally w/o Visa | 35.7% | 3.4 | 51.9% |
| Visa Status | 35.7% | 3.3 | 50.9% |
| Awards/Honors in Basic Sciences | 39.3% | 3 | 49.7% |
| Any Failed COMLEX-USA Attempt | 14.3% | 4 | 47.2% |
| Passing USMLE Step 2 CS | 32.1% | 2.6 | 42.1% |
| Away Rotation in Specialty Elsewhere | 17.9% | 3.3 | 42.0% |
| How Medical School Handled Virtual Rotations | 3.6% | 4 | 41.8% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 score | 14.3% | 3.3 | 40.2% |
| Sigma Sigma Phi Membership | 14.3% | 3.3 | 40.2% |
| Fluency in Language of Pt Population | 17.9% | 2.8 | 37.0% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE Score | 7.1% | 2 | 23.6% |
| Passing COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE | 7.1% | 2 | 23.6% |
| USMLE Step 3 Score | 7.1% | 1 | 13.6% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 Score | 3.6% | 1 | 11.8% |
Here are the composite scores for the criteria otolaryngology program directors use for grading interviews.
What Do Otolaryngology Program Directors Look for When Ranking Applicants?
Getting an interview is only part of the process of matching into otolaryngology. Program directors also rank the most important factors for creating their rank order list.
In the 2021 Program Director Survey, otolaryngology PDs rated these criteria as most important for deciding whom to rank:
- Interpersonal skills
- Interactions with house staff during interview/visit
- Interactions with faculty during interview/visit
- Feedback from current residents
- Letters of recommendation in specialty
We can see the full list here:
| Otolaryngology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to RANK (% of Respondents Endorsing) | Otolaryngology: Characteristics Considered in Deciding Whom to RANK (Mean Importance / 5) | Otolaryngology: Characteristics Considered for Rank Composite Score (Average of % Respondents Endorsing and Mean Importance / 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpersonal Skills | 92.9% | 4.9 | 95.5% |
| Interactions with House Staff During Interview/Visit | 92.9% | 4.8 | 94.5% |
| Interactions with Faculty During Interview/Visit | 89.3% | 4.9 | 93.7% |
| Feedback from Current Residents | 89.3% | 4.7 | 91.7% |
| Letters of Recommendation in Specialty | 75.0% | 4.3 | 80.5% |
| Professionalism and Ethics | 67.9% | 4.4 | 78.0% |
| Involvement and Interest in Research | 71.4% | 4.1 | 76.7% |
| Perceived Interest in Program | 64.3% | 4.4 | 76.2% |
| Leadership Qualities | 64.3% | 4.4 | 76.2% |
| Diversity Characteristics | 71.4% | 4 | 75.7% |
| Perceived Commitment to Specialty | 60.7% | 4.3 | 73.4% |
| Personal Statement | 60.7% | 3.7 | 67.4% |
| Having Overcome Significant Obstacles | 60.7% | 3.7 | 67.4% |
| Personal Prior Knowledge of Applicant | 50.0% | 4.1 | 66.0% |
| Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience | 46.4% | 4 | 63.2% |
| USMLE Step 1 Score | 53.6% | 3.5 | 61.8% |
| Audition Elective/Rotation in PD's Dept | 32.1% | 4.3 | 59.1% |
| Other Life Experience | 42.9% | 3.7 | 58.5% |
| Grades in Required Clerkships | 35.7% | 3.8 | 55.9% |
| MSPE | 46.4% | 3.2 | 55.2% |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 35.7% | 3.6 | 53.9% |
| Class Ranking/Quartile | 35.7% | 3.6 | 53.9% |
| AOA Membership | 28.6% | 3.8 | 52.3% |
| Consistency of Grades | 25.0% | 3.7 | 49.5% |
| Any Failed USMLE Attempt | 17.9% | 4 | 49.0% |
| Awards/Honors, Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 28.6% | 3.3 | 47.3% |
| Interest in Academic Career | 14.3% | 4 | 47.2% |
| Grades in Clerkship in Preferred Specialty | 21.4% | 3.5 | 45.7% |
| GHHS Membership | 21.4% | 3.5 | 45.7% |
| Awards/Honors in Clinical Clerkships | 25.0% | 3.3 | 45.5% |
| Continuous Medical Education w/o Gaps | 10.7% | 4 | 45.4% |
| Ability to Work Legally w/o Visa | 7.1% | 4 | 43.6% |
| Medical School Reputation | 10.7% | 3.7 | 42.4% |
| Medical School Accreditation Status | 14.3% | 3.3 | 40.2% |
| Awards/Honors in Basic Sciences | 14.3% | 3.3 | 40.2% |
| Sigma Sigma Phi Membership | 7.1% | 3.5 | 38.6% |
| Applicant Facility with Meeting Platform Tech | 14.3% | 3 | 37.2% |
| Visa Status | 7.1% | 3 | 33.6% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 score | 10.7% | 2.7 | 32.4% |
| Other Post-Interview Contact | 3.6% | 3 | 31.8% |
| NRMP Flag for Match Violation | 3.6% | 3 | 31.8% |
| Passing USMLE Step 2 CS | 17.9% | 2.2 | 31.0% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE Score | 7.1% | 2.5 | 28.6% |
| Any Failed COMLEX-USA Attempt | 7.1% | 2.5 | 28.6% |
| Passing COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE | 7.1% | 2.5 | 28.6% |
| How Medical School Handled Virtual Rotations | 7.1% | 2.5 | 28.6% |
| Away Rotation in Specialty Elsewhere | 3.6% | 2 | 21.8% |
| USMLE Step 3 Score | 7.1% | 1.5 | 18.6% |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 Score | 3.6% | 1 | 11.8% |
| Fluency in Language of Patient Population | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
| Second Interview/Visit | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Finally, we can see the composite scores for criteria used to rank otolaryngology applicants.
What Characteristics Do Successful Otolaryngology Applicants Share?
Here are the characteristics of matched vs. unmatched US seniors applying to otolaryngology.
| Matched | Unmatched | |
|---|---|---|
| Mean number of contiguous ranks, US Senior | 13.9 | 5.9 |
| Mean number of distinct specialties ranked, US Senior | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| Step 1, US Senior | 250 | 243 |
| Step 2, US Senior | 257 | 250 |
| Mean number of research experiences, US Senior | 7.3 | 6.5 |
| Mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications, US Senior | 17.2 | 11 |
| Mean number of work experiences, US Senior | 4 | 3.5 |
| Mean number of volunteer experiences, US Senior | 9.2 | 8.2 |
| Percentage who are AOA members, US Senior | 41 | 18.8 |
| Percentage who graduated from one of the 40 U.S. medical schools with the highest NIH funding, US Senior | 39.1 | 25 |
| Percentage who have Ph.D. degree, US Senior | 3.6 | 0 |
| Percentage who have another graduate degree, US Senior | 18.4 | 18.1 |
Match Into Otolaryngology: Pass the Screens with High USMLEs
Otolaryngology relies modestly on standardized screens to weed out applicants. In the 2021 Program Director Survey, otolaryngology PDs respondents reported that 16% of applications were rejected via standardized screen. This ranked near the middle of residencies.
What Are the Step 1 and Step 2 CK Cut-Offs for Interviews in Otolaryngology?
As mentioned above, otolaryngology ranks near the middle of programs using standardized screens to eliminate applications. Many otolaryngology programs screen out applicants with failed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK (see below). In addition, PDs use Step 1 and Step 2 CK score cut-offs to weed out applicants.
For Step 1, otolaryngology program directors reported Step 1 score cut-offs between 220 and 229 as 25% and 75%ile marks to screen out applicants.
For Step 2, otolaryngology had no reported Step 2 score cut-offs due to low data. For reference, you can see the reported scores for other specialties below.
For more on the USMLE cut-off scores for granting interviews – or weeding out applicants – see this article.
If I Fail Step 1, Can I Still Match Into Otolaryngology?
If you failed Step 1, you might wonder if you can still match into otolaryngology. In the most recent program director survey addressing this question, we can see that otolaryngology programs are relatively unforgiving if you’ve failed Step 1.
In 2020, otolaryngology 67% of PDs reported they “never” consider applicants who fail Step 1, while 33% would “seldom” consider it. That said 0% of otolaryngology programs “often” consider someone with a Step 1 fail.
Did you fail Step 1 and are wondering what you can do to recover? Read this article and consider scheduling a consultation.
If I Fail Step 2 CK, Can I Still Match Into Otolaryngology?
Similarly, you may wonder what your chances of matching into otolaryngology are if you fail Step 2 CK. Just like with Step 1, otolaryngology PDs are unforgiving for not passing Step 2 CK.
In 2020, otolaryngology 65% of PDs reported they “never” consider applicants who fail Step 2 CK, while 30% would “seldom” consider it. Only 4% of otolaryngology programs “often” consider someone with a Step 2 CK fail.
Did you fail Step 2 CK and wonder what you can do to recover? Read this article and consider scheduling a consultation.
How Many Publications for Otolaryngology Residency in 2022
Research is an important characteristics for matching into many specialties, particularly the most competitive. So, how many publications do you need to match into an otolaryngology residency?
In 2022, the mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications for US seniors who matched into otolaryngology was 17.2. The mean number of research experiences was 7.3.
Do I Need an MD-PhD to Become an Otolaryngology?
You may wonder how much an MD-PhD helps with matching into otolaryngology. It appears that having a PhD correlates with an advantage of 30% when applying into otolaryngology. Specifically, the match rate for those with a PhD is 30% higher than for those without one when applying into otolaryngology.
Note that those with PhDs are relatively rare among otolaryngology residents. In fact, only 3.6% of matched applicants into otolaryngology had a PhD in 2022.
Otolaryngology Residency Interviews
When you apply to otolaryngology, you may be wondering what the chances of getting an interview are. Here we present the outcomes of applicants per the 2021 NRMP Program Director Survey.
Note that otolaryngology uses standardized screens modeslty to reduce the number of applicants. Roughly 16% of applicants that year were eliminated via a screen (e.g., Step 2 CK scores, visa status, failed a USMLE in the past, etc.).
When Are Otolaryngology Residency Interview Invites Sent vs. Conducted?
When you apply to residency, you’ll be doing a lot of waiting. Specifically, you’ll be waiting to hear whether – and when – you will be able to interview.
Want to know when you might expect to hear from otolaryngology programs re: your residency application? Here are when programs typically extend and conduct interviews. Note that the most recent data are from 2020.
Here are the same data presented differently. Note that due to rounding, sometimes the percentages can add up to more than 100%.
How Many Interviews to Match in Otolaryngology?
After applying to a program, applicants often wait anxiously to know whether they’ve received an interview invitation. Receiving – and attending – an interview allows applicants to “rank” that program on their match list. In other words, the more interviews you have, the more chances you have of matching into a given specialty.
So how many interviews to match in otolaryngology with confidence?
For US Seniors, the magic number of interviews needed to match into otolaryngology 10. In 2022, having 10 interviews (and ranking them all on their match list) led to a 75-80% chance of matching. For even greater safety, though, having 13+ interviews led to a ≥93% chance of matching into otolaryngology for US seniors.
How Many Interviews to Match in Otolaryngology as a DO?
For DO seniors note that because of so few DO candidates, the numbers can’t be interpreted with much confidence.To reach the 75% threshold, ≥4-5 interviews were necessary.
How Many Interviews to Match in Otolaryngology as an IMG?
Similar to DOs, more interviews were necessary for IMGs to comfortably match into anesthesiology. To reach the 75% threshold, ≥8-9 interviews were necessary. Note that because of so few DO candidates with ≥ 9 interviews, the numbers become considerably “noisier,” and can’t be interpreted with much confidence. This is particularly true since only two matched successfully of the five non-US IMGs with 16+ interviews.
Concluding Thoughts
Matching into otolaryngology is a challenging proposition. The challenge may feel more daunting if we have perceived weaknesses in our application, or if we want to match in a top program, a desirable location, and/or couples match.
The good news? How to match into otolaryngology depends largely on things you can control – your USMLEs, your clinical performance/MSPEs, whether you fail Step 1 or Step 2 CK, and how much you demonstrate an interest in the program, professionalism, ethics, and leadership qualities.
Looking for an Otolaryngology Residency Advisor?
Looking for an otolaryngology residency advisor? Want help writing your personal statement? Need effective strategies for interviewing? Do you have things on your application – e.g., low USMLE scores, failed USMLEs, no research, IMG status, or others – you need help overcoming?
Be sure to check out our Residency Advisor service.
