2605 - Shifting Characteristics of Medical Students Applying to Radiation Oncology Residency
Presenter(s)
C. Y. L. Hsu1, M. E. Orr2,3, M. Sherer2,3, D. L. Rash3, C. R. Nwachukwu3, P. Sanghvi4,5, and J. D. Murphy3; 1UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 2Center for Health Equity Education and Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 3Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 4Assistant Dean for Admissions and Director, Learning Environment, UCSD SOM, La Jolla, CA, 5Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Purpose/Objective(s): Radiation Oncology has seen a drop in the number of medical student applicants; however, the changing characteristics of applicants has not been fully defined. This descriptive study seeks to characterize changes among students applying to Radiation Oncology residency over the past 8 years.
Materials/Methods: This study used data from the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) between 2016 and 2024, focusing on U.S. MD seniors entering the match, restricted to data related to students' preferred specialties. Applicant performance measures analyzed included Step 2 scores, research productivity, honor society membership, medical school characteristics, and match outcomes. Radiation Oncology applicants over the study period were compared to control students applying to all specialties.
Results: The number of U.S. MD senior applicants in Radiation Oncology decreased from 186 in 2016, to a nadir of 104 in 2022, followed by an uptick to 122 in 2024. Step 2 scores among applicants to all specialties increased from an average score of 245 in 2016 to 250 in 2024. Step 2 scores among Radiation Oncology applicants remained relatively stable over the study period, with an average score of 251 (across all years). The average number of abstracts, presentations, and publications among applicants to all specialties increased from 4.7 in 2016 to 10 in 2024, whereas the average within Radiation Oncology was higher but remained stable across the study period at 15.1. The fraction of applicants to all specialties with honors society distinction (AOA) remained relatively stable over the study period at 17%, whereas with Radiation Oncology the fraction with AOA distinction dropped from 28% in 2016 down to 16% in 2024. The fraction of students graduating from one of the top 40 US medical schools with the highest NIH funding remained stable across all specialties over the study period at 31%, whereas with Radiation Oncology this number was higher, though decreased from 42% in 2016 down to 34% in 2024. The fraction of MD/PhD applicants across all specialties remained stable over the study period at 3.9%, whereas with Radiation Oncology this number was higher, though decreased from 25% in 2016 down to 14% in 2024. The match rate across all specialties remained stable over the study period with 91% of students matching, though among radiation oncology this number increased from 91% in 2016, to 98% in 2024.
Conclusion: Despite decreased number of applicants, across several academic performance measures U.S. MD senior student applicants within Radiation Oncology remain as strong or stronger compared to applicants from other specialties. However, these academic performance gaps within Radiation Oncology have narrowed over the past 8 years, likely reflecting the decreased competitiveness of Radiation Oncology. Overall, this information can help better inform residency programs, medical school advisors, and medical students.