Well-prepared residency candidates are those who apply with a strong, cohesive ERAS Application. To do this, it’s crucial to know what elements of the application Program Directors are most concerned with. The NRMP’s 2021-22 Program Director Survey provides a wealth of information that can point you in the right direction.
The NRMP® conducts a bi-annual Program Director Survey, compiling data in the Results of the NRMP Program Director Survey. In previous years, Program Directors were asked to cite factors they used to select candidates for interviews and to rate each factor. The rating scale was from 1 (least important) to 5 (most important). This year, these factors were broken down into objective and subjective categories:
- Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics
- Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants
Below are the top 5 most important factors in each category according to the percentage of Program Directors citing them as well as each factor’s importance rating. We’ve included this data for the 18 most IMG-friendly specialties. Be sure to review the specialties you are interested in carefully.
Program Director Survey Results: All Specialties Combined
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 Score | 86.2 | 3.7 |
| 2 | MSPE | 85.9 | 4.0 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 78.8 | 3.8 |
| 4 | Grades in required clerkships | 74.6 | 3.9 |
| 5 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 74.1 | 4.4 |
Top 5 Most Important Factors in Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors as rated by Program Directors
| # | Factor | Importance Rating (out of 5) | % of PDs citing |
| 1 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 4.4 | 74.1 |
| 2 | Medical school accreditation status | 4.2 | 44.2 |
| 3 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 4.1 | 65.2 |
| 4 | MSPE | 4.0 | 85.9 |
| 5 | Consistency in grades | 3.9 | 58.5 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 85.1 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 83.8 | 3.9 |
| 3 | Diversity characteristics | 80.9 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 79.5 | 4.3 |
| 5 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 75.5 | 4.1 |
Top 5 Most Important Factors in Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants as rated by Program Directors
| # | Factor | Importance Rating (out of 5) | % of PDs citing |
| 1 | NRMP flag for match violation | 4.7 | 27.8 |
| 2 | Professionalism and ethics | 4.5 | 73.9 |
| 3 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 4.2 | 85.1 |
| — | Perceived interest in program | 4.2 | 72.3 |
| — | Leadership qualities | 4.2 | 70.1 |
| — | Audition elective/rotation in PD’s dept | 4.2 | 44.8 |
| — | Ability to work legally w/o visa | 4.2 | 35.5 |
| 4 | Diversity characteristics | 4.1 | 80.9 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 4.1 | 75.5 |
| — | Personal prior knowledge of applicant | 4.1 | 63.6 |
| 5 | Personal statement (overall) | 3.9 | 83.8 |
| — | Volunteer/extracurricular experience | 3.9 | 64.8 |
| — | Other life experience | 3.9 | 62.8 |
| — | Visa status | 3.9 | 33.4 |
Anesthesiology
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 Score | 95.2 | 3.8 |
| 2 | MSPE | 90.5 | 4.3 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK Score | 88.1 | 3.7 |
| 4 | Class ranking/quartile | 85.7 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 83.3 | 4.0 |
| — | Grades in required clerkships | 83.3 | 3.7 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 85.7 | 4.1 |
| — | Perceived interest in program | 85.7 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Personal Statement | 83.3 | 3.9 |
| 3 | Diversity characteristics | 81.0 | 4.0 |
| 4 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 78.6 | 4.3 |
| — | Leadership qualities | 78.6 | 4.2 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 78.6 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Professionalism and ethics | 76.2 | 4.5 |
| — | Other life experience | 76.2 | 3.7 |
Child Neurology
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 92.3 | 4.5 |
| — | Grades in required clerkships | 92.3 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Grades in required clerkship in preferred specialty | 84.6 | 4.2 |
| — | Consistency of grades | 84.6 | 4.0 |
| — | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 84.6 | 3.6 |
| — | USMLE Step 1 score | 84.6 | 3.5 |
| 3 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 76.9 | 4.1 |
| — | Awards/honors, clerkship in preferred specialty | 76.9 | 3.9 |
| 4 | Awards/honors in clinical clerkships | 69.2 | 3.9 |
| 5 | Medical school accreditation status | 61.5 | 4.3 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 61.5 | 4.0 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 100 | 4.3 |
| 2 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 92.3 | 4.3 |
| — | Personal Statement (overall) | 92.3 | 3.8 |
| 3 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 84.6 | 4.3 |
| 4 | Other life experience | 76.2 | 3.6 |
| 5 | Professionalism and ethics | 69.2 | 4.8 |
| — | Leadership qualities | 69.2 | 4.3 |
| — | Perceived interest in program | 69.2 | 4.0 |
| — | Diversity characteristics | 69.2 | 3.8 |
Dermatology
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 94.1 | 4.1 |
| — | USMLE Step 1 score | 94.1 | 3.3 |
| 2 | Grades in required clerkships | 88.2 | 4.4 |
| 3 | Consistency of grades | 76.5 | 4.1 |
| — | Awards/honors in clinical clerkships | 76.5 | 4.0 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 76.5 | 3.8 |
| 4 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 64.7 | 4.4 |
| — | GHHS membership | 64.7 | 3.9 |
| — | AOA membership | 64.7 | 3.7 |
| 5 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 58.8 | 4.5 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 100 | 4.6 |
| — | Personal statement (overall) | 100 | 4.5 |
| 2 | Volunteer/extracurricular experience | 94.1 | 4.0 |
| 3 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 88.2 | 4.6 |
| — | Diversity characteristics | 88.2 | 4.5 |
| 4 | Professionalism and ethics | 82.4 | 4.7 |
| — | Leadership qualities | 82.4 | 4.4 |
| — | Other life experience | 82.4 | 4.1 |
| — | Personal prior knowledge of applicant | 82.4 | 3.9 |
| 5 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 76.5 | 4.5 |
Emergency Medicine
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 83.8 | 3.5 |
| 2 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 79.7 | 4.5 |
| 3 | MSPE | 77.0 | 3.8 |
| — | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 77.0 | 3.8 |
| 4 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 74.3 | 4.6 |
| 5 | Grades in required clerkships | 70.3 | 3.9 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 90.5 | 4.8 |
| 2 | Diversity characteristics | 82.4 | 4.0 |
| 3 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 81.1 | 4.3 |
| 4 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 74.3 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Perceived interest in program | 73.0 | 4.2 |
Family Medicine
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 86.8 | 3.8 |
| 2 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 79.2 | 3.9 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 75.5 | 3.6 |
| — | USMLE Step 1 score | 75.5 | 3.3 |
| 4 | Grades in required clerkships | 64.2 | 3.6 |
| 5 | Continuous medical education without gaps | 59.1 | 3.8 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 95.6 | 4.8 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 89.9 | 4.0 |
| 3 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 84.3 | 4.3 |
| 4 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 76.1 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Perceived interest in program | 75.5 | 4.2 |
| — | Diversity characteristics | 75.5 | 4.1 |
Internal Medicine
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 93.7 | 4.0 |
| 2 | USMLE Step 1 score | 90.5 | 3.7 |
| 3 | MSPE | 85.7 | 4.2 |
| 4 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 82.5 | 4.5 |
| 5 | Class ranking/quartile | 76.2 | 4.1 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Diversity characteristics | 81.0 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Professionalism and ethics | 73.0 | 4.5 |
| — | Personal statement (overall) | 73.0 | 3.6 |
| 3 | Perceived interest in program | 70.6 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 68.3 | 3.7 |
| 5 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 67.5 | 3.9 |
Med/Peds
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 100 | 4.0 |
| 2 | USMLE Step 1 score | 95.0 | 3.7 |
| 3 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 90.0 | 4.2 |
| 4 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 85.0 | 4.3 |
| — | Grades in required clerkships | 85.0 | 4.1 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 85.0 | 3.9 |
| — | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 85.0 | 3.4 |
| 5 | Awards/honors, clerkship in preferred specialty | 80 | 3.7 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Volunteer/extracurricular experience | 95.0 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 95.0 | 4.5 |
| — | Leadership | 90.0 | 4.8 |
| — | Diversity characteristics | 90.0 | 4.4 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 90.0 | 4.2 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 90.0 | 3.8 |
| 3 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 85.0 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Professionalism and ethics | 80.0 | 4.7 |
| 5 | Other life experience | 75.0 | 4.4 |
Neurosurgery
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 89.5 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Grades in required clerkships | 73.7 | 4.1 |
| — | MSPE | 73.7 | 3.6 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 68.4 | 3.9 |
| 4 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 63.2 | 4.6 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 63.2 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Awards/honors in clinical clerkships | 57.9 | 3.7 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 94.7 | 4.8 |
| 2 | Involvement and interest in research | 73.7 | 4.6 |
| 3 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 68.4 | 4.8 |
| — | Personal statement (overall) | 68.4 | 4.1 |
| — | Diversity characteristics | 68.4 | 3.9 |
| 4 | Professionalism and ethics | 63.2 | 4.5 |
| 5 | Perceived interest in program | 57.9 | 4.1 |
Neurology
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 96.6 | 3.7 |
| 2 | MSPE | 93.1 | 4.5 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 score | 89.7 | 3.8 |
| 4 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 82.8 | 4.4 |
| 5 | Class ranking/quartile | 75.9 | 4.1 |
| — | Grades in clerkships in preferred specialty | 75.9 | 3.9 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 93.1 | 4.3 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 93.1 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 86.2 | 4.8 |
| 3 | Professionalism and ethics | 79.3 | 4.6 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 79.3 | 3.9 |
| 4 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 75.9 | 3.8 |
| 3 | Personal prior knowledge of applicant | 72.4 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Volunteer/extracurricular experience | 72.4 | 3.8 |
OBGYN
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 84.3 | 4.1 |
| — | USMLE Step 1 score | 84.3 | 3.6 |
| 2 | Grades in required clerkships | 79.8 | 3.8 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 78.7 | 4.4 |
| 4 | Grades in clerkships in preferred specialty | 76.4 | 4.1 |
| 5 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 71.9 | 4.5 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 71.9 | 3.8 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Diversity characteristics | 88.8 | 4.2 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 88.8 | 4.0 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 84.3 | 4.0 |
| 3 | Leadership qualities | 79.8 | 4.3 |
| 4 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 78.7 | 4.3 |
| — | Perceived interest in program | 78.7 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Volunteer/extracurricular experience | 77.5 | 4.0 |
Orthopaedic Surgery
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 94.4 | 3.9 |
| 2 | Grades in required clerkships | 86.1 | 4.1 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 77.8 | 3.6 |
| 4 | MSPE | 69.4 | 3.7 |
| — | AOA membership | 69.4 | 3.7 |
| 5 | Awards/honors in clinical clerkships | 66.7 | 3.5 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Personal statement (overall) | 91.7 | 3.5 |
| 2 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 88.9 | 4.4 |
| 3 | Diversity Characteristics | 83.3 | 3.7 |
| 4 | Professionalism and ethics | 80.6 | 4.3 |
| 5 | Leadership qualities | 77.8 | 4.3 |
Pathology
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 97.0 | 3.8 |
| 2 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 93.9 | 3.7 |
| 3 | MSPE | 87.9 | 4.0 |
| 4 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 87.9 | 4.6 |
| 5 | Class ranking/quartile | 75.8 | 3.5 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 93.9 | 4.7 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 93.9 | 4.5 |
| — | Personal statement (overall) | 93.9 | 3.9 |
| 2 | Diversity characteristics | 78.8 | 3.8 |
| 3 | Professionalism and ethics | 69.7 | 4.5 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 69.7 | 3.8 |
| 4 | Perceived interest in program | 54.5 | 4.3 |
| 5 | Personal prior knowledge of applicant | 51.5 | 4.5 |
| — | Leadership qualities | 51.5 | 4.1 |
Pediatrics
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 91.3 | 4.4 |
| 2 | USMLE Step 1 score | 84.8 | 3.6 |
| 3 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 78.3 | 4.5 |
| 4 | Grades in required clerkships | 73.9 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 65.2 | 3.9 |
| — | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 65.2 | 3.8 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 65.2 | 3.4 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Diversity characteristics | 80.4 | 4.2 |
| — | Personal statement (overall) | 80.4 | 3.6 |
| 2 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 78.3 | 4.0 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 78.3 | 3.9 |
| 3 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 73.9 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Volunteer/extracurricular experience | 69.6 | 3.8 |
| 5 | Professionalism and ethics | 65.2 | 4.3 |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 96.6 | 4.4 |
| 2 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 93.1 | 4.5 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 1 score | 89.7 | 4.0 |
| 4 | Grades in required clerkships | 79.3 | 3.9 |
| 5 | Consistency of grades | 75.9 | 4.1 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 75.9 | 4.0 |
| — | GHHS membership | 75.9 | 3.3 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 100 | 4.3 |
| 2 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 96.6 | 4.2 |
| 3 | Diversity characteristics | 89.7 | 3.7 |
| 4 | Professionalism and ethics | 86.2 | 4.5 |
| 5 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 79.3 | 4.1 |
Psychiatry
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | MSPE | 90.2 | 4.0 |
| 2 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 75.4 | 4.3 |
| 3 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 73.8 | 4.3 |
| 4 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 73.8 | 3.5 |
| 5 | Grades in required clerkships | 72.1 | 4.0 |
| — | Class ranking/quartile | 65.6 | 3.7 |
| USMLE Step 1 score | 65.6 | 3.4 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 90.2 | 4.5 |
| — | Personal statement (overall) | 90.2 | 4.3 |
| 2 | Having overcome significant obstacles | 80.3 | 4.3 |
| 3 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 78.7 | 4.2 |
| 4 | Perceived interest in program | 77.0 | 4.3 |
| 5 | Professionalism and ethics | 70.5 | 4.7 |
Radiology (Diagnostic)
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 97.1 | 4.6 |
| 2 | MSPE | 88.2 | 4.4 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 85.3 | 4.1 |
| 4 | Class ranking/quartile | 82.4 | 4.2 |
| 5 | Grades in required clerkships | 73.5 | 4.0 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived interest in program | 94.1 | 4.1 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 91.2 | 3.6 |
| 3 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 88.2 | 4.1 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 88.2 | 4.0 |
| — | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 88.2 | 3.9 |
| 4 | Diversity characteristics | 85.3 | 3.7 |
| 5 | Personal prior knowledge of applicant | 79.4 | 4.2 |
Surgery
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 1 score | 96.1 | 4.0 |
| 2 | MSPE | 85.5 | 3.9 |
| 3 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 84.2 | 4.0 |
| 4 | Grades in required clerkships | 76.3 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Grades in clerkship in preferred specialty | 75.0 | 4.3 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors 3.9Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Perceived interest in program | 93.4 | 4.2 |
| 2 | Personal statement (overall) | 84.2 | 3.8 |
| 3 | Perceived commitment to specialty | 82.9 | 4.4 |
| 4 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 81.6 | 4.3 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 81.6 | 3.9 |
| 5 | Diversity characteristics | 75.0 | 4.1 |
Transitional Year
Top 5 Educational and Academic Performance Characteristics Factors Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | USMLE Step 2 CK score | 96.8 | 4.3 |
| 2 | USMLE Step 1 score | 93.5 | 4.3 |
| 3 | Any failed attempt at USMLE | 90.3 | 4.5 |
| 4 | MSPE | 80.6 | 3.8 |
| 5 | Class ranking/quartile | 67.7 | 3.7 |
Top 5 Personal Characteristics and Other Knowledge of Applicants Factors 3.9Cited by Program Directors
| # | Factor | % of PDs citing | Importance Rating (out of 5) |
| 1 | Personal statement (overall) | 87.1 | 4.1 |
| 2 | Perceived interest in program | 71.0 | 4.1 |
| 3 | Letters of recommendation in specialty | 67.7 | 3.9 |
| 4 | Professionalism and ethics | 61.3 | 4.4 |
| — | Diversity characteristics | 61.3 | 4.0 |
| — | Having overcome significant obstacles | 61.3 | 3.8 |
| 5 | Leadership qualities | 51.6 | 4.3 |
We hope you’ve found value in the data we’ve compiled from the 2021 NRMP Program Directors Survey report. Please reach out with any questions at support@matcharesident.com.
