what's residency director's incentive to choose high scorers?

[iLuvDAT]

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unlike dental schools, specialty residencies do not have to publish the stats of their incoming residents, and so why would most programs favor high stats instead of good personality. I understand that our whole country is based upon meritocracy, which I think is fair, and yet I fail to see the importance of stats in the process of specialty placement.
personally i think that stats is only important up to a certain point and once the academic test has been passed, personality should be on the top of the criteria list. But under the current selective system, nerds definitely have an edge over super cool kids with just slightly lower stats

 

[capisce?]

There has to be some sort of weed out point. Programs don't have the time to waste interviewing hundreds of applicants who apply. Sounds like you are suggesting basing interview invites on a biased 'cool test' instead of an unbiased examination and performance over time (boards, rank). Sounds like a great idea 👎

The 'incentive' is pretty clear. Consistent performance in school and on exams is the best predictor of future success in a residency. Personality is great and all but if your residents can't hack it all that means is more headaches for the directors.

 

[Jone]

because there are a ton of kids who have BOTH the COOL factor and the 95+ board scores.... so many that they even have to turn a lot of these studs away for interviews.

unlike dental schools, specialty residencies do not have to publish the stats of their incoming residents, and so why would most programs favor high stats instead of good personality. I understand that our whole country is based upon meritocracy, which I think is fair, and yet I fail to see the importance of stats in the process of specialty placement.
personally i think that stats is only important up to a certain point and once the academic test has been passed, personality should be on the top of the criteria list. But under the current selective system, nerds definitely have an edge over super cool kids with just slightly lower stats

 

[rarm1]

unlike dental schools, specialty residencies do not have to publish the stats of their incoming residents, and so why would most programs favor high stats instead of good personality. I understand that our whole country is based upon meritocracy, which I think is fair, and yet I fail to see the importance of stats in the process of specialty placement.
personally i think that stats is only important up to a certain point and once the academic test has been passed, personality should be on the top of the criteria list. But under the current selective system, nerds definitely have an edge over super cool kids with just slightly lower stats

Based on accreditation standards and the law we must used criteria for selecting candidates for interviews and for the final selection. Each program will decide what is important to them.

When we review applicants for our general practice residency we look at 5 factors.
From the application we look at:

1. Their school and school standings

2. National Board Scores

3. Letters of recommendation – we expect these to be selected and be good, so we follow up with calls to the school.

4. The interview – this includes appearance, personality, are they a team player, we they add to the team and patient care, motivation, and others

5. Blending the program – for us – we want a team of residents who will work together, share, and cover for each other. We blend students from different universities… even if we have the top 10 from one school, we won’t take all of them because it won’t be a good program.


All programs are evaluated by outcomes. Like who passes the boards or speciality boards. We have to evaluate how the patients are treated and the outcomes of treatment. No program wants to baby sit for 1-4 years. Thus ability is very important, or at least a reason why grades are poor. Those can be – a bad test taker; illness; pregnancy; etc. All programs look to see if the candidate improves through out their education, matures gets increased confidence and competency.

Hope that explains some reasons.