The audition elective and its relation to success in the National Resident Matching Program

Abstract

Background: Many medical students take audition electives in an effort to improve their chances of being selected by a residency program.

Purpose: The study was to determine if audition electives improved student success in the National Resident Matching Program.

Method: A questionnaire was mailed to graduates of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine from 1977 (the charter graduating class) through 1997. Comparisons were done between students who took audition electives and those who did not. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square or Fisher Exact tests for smaller groups.

Results: The data show no statistically significant difference in first-choice matching for the total group (p = .35), primary care (p = .44), or nonprimary care subgroups (p = .38). Sample size is inadequate for sufficient analysis of individual specialties.

Conclusions: The limited time available to provide students with a broad education and the disadvantages of taking audition electives should be considered when advising students about 4th-year schedules.