Matching Into Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency: What's The Price?

OBJECTIVE: Integrated plastic surgery residency programs are among the most competitive to match into, characterized by a low match rate and substantial financial burdens on applicants. This study aims to analyze the costs associated with the application process for plastic surgery residency from 2021 to 2024. DESIGN: Data were collected from the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (STAR) database. Costs for application fees, interview expenses, and away rotations were assessed. Kruskal-Wallis test and Welch's t-test, were employed to compare costs across years, with a focus on matched versus unmatched applicants. SETTING: Texas STAR database, a national, multi-institutional database. PARTICIPANTS: Graduating medical students from 2021 to 2024. RESULTS: Median interview costs increased from $250 in 2021 to 2023 to $2000 in 2024 (p < 0.001). Median away rotation costs increased over time (p < 0.001), from $750 in 2021 to $5,250 in 2024. Median application fee costs decreased from $1,750 (2021-2023) to $750 in 2024 (p < 0.001). Median total cost increased across years (p < 0.001), increasing from $2250 in 2021 to $10,000 in 2024. The number of applications submitted did not differ by match status. Among students who reported at least one away rotation, there were no significant differences in the number of away rotations between matched and unmatched applicants across all years. Matched applicants spent more on average than unmatched applicants in 2022 (p = 0.018) and 2024 (p = 0.023), with matched applicants spending $10,561.34 compared to $6,790.34 for unmatched applicants in 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Plastic Surgery Common Application reduced application fees in 2024, overall financial burdens remain high due to away rotations and interviews. Potential cost reduction strategies for applicants may include only completing the median number of away rotations. Plastic surgery programs should continue to consider subsidization for interviewed applicants to promote an equitable application process.

Duke Scholars

Author Brett Thomas Phillips Surgery, Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery