1. OTO/HNS is the most competitive field in which to secure a position in the U.S., perhaps second only to neurosurgery.

2. ~100 programs in the U.S.A., none "bad", 280 positions

3. By and large: 1 year general surgery, 4 years Oto/HNS

4. largest program 5 positions (UCLA), smallest 1 position (University of Vermont)

5. Deadlines:
a. Application due August 15
b. Interview October, November, December
c. Rank list due early January
d. Match results January 15

6. Application Components
a. USMLE
b. Transcripts
i. College
ii. Medical School
c. Personal statement
d. AOA
e. Letters of Recommendation: these are important
f. Application itself: activities, honors, etc.
g. Research
h. Dean's letter is NOT typically available when the application is screened!!!

7. Interview: Key component
a. Compatability
b. Social skills
c. Trainability

8. UCSF is in the top 5 schools in the nation in the last 5 years in placing students in Otolaryngology residency

9. Interview strategy
a. 50 applications
b. 15 interviews
c. stratify school types

10. Match data: 1996
a. 660 Applicants, 200 never submitted list, 283 positions
b. 60 percent of applicants matched
c. 50% of matching students were AOA
d. 25% of unmatched students were AOA
e. 61% of males and 61% of females matched, but applications ran 80/20 male: female
f. USMLE
i. National mean: 206
ii. Mean of students matching: 227
g. Class Rank
i. 92% of matching students are in the top 1/3 of class
h. Publications
i. 65% of matching students had 1 publication
i. Successful U.S. Senior
i. Average applications: 32
ii. Average interviews: 8.2
iii. Average choice: 1.8
iv. Average offers: 3.1
v. 71% of U.S. seniors who completed the process matched.

11. Web based resourses:
a. http://www.sfmatch.org
b. http://www.otomatch.com
c. individual institution websites
d. pubmed: do lit searches on the people who will interview you!
e. http://www.aboto.org
f. http://www.entnet.org
g. http://www.triological.org

12. Otolaryngology Careers
a. Attrition equals new production
b. Approximately 9000 otolaryngologists in the U.S.A.
c. Estimated manpower shortage for 2010
d. Recommended Otolaryngologists per population
i. 1:30,000
ii. 1:100,000

13. Fellowship training
a. Facial Plastic Surgery: American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABMS certified). 1 year.
b. Otology/Neurotology: 2 years, CAQ
c. Pediatric Otolaryngology: 2 years, CAQ
d. Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery: 1 - 2 years
e. Rhinology: 1 year
f. Laryngology/Voice: 1 year
g. This fellowship list is in order of most to least formal certification and training.