Predictors of Matching into Plastic Surgery Residency Integrated and Independent Tracks: A Systematic Review

Background: Plastic surgery residency training in the United States consists of 2 main pathways: the integrated and independent tracks. As more programs continue to transition to only offering the integrated model, competition for both tracks remains intense, with national match rates steadily declining in recent years. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on predictors of successful match outcomes in both integrated and independent plastic surgery residency programs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify studies examining predictors of match success in plastic surgery residency programs. We analyzed academic metrics, including United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, and research productivity, as well as nonacademic factors such as letters of recommendation, leadership experience, extracurricular involvement, and interview performance. Results: Strong academic performance was consistently associated with match success for both tracks, including high United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, significant research output with a high number of publications and first-author studies, and Alpha Omega Alpha membership. Nonacademic qualities, such as impactful letters of recommendation, leadership roles, and excellent interview skills, also significantly contributed to favorable outcomes. Between the independent and integrated pathways, there was a difference in levels of importance among these predictors, as institutional pedigree of prerequisite surgical training and number of interviews were all more emphasized in the independent track. Conclusions: By identifying and evaluating predictive factors for matching into integrated and independent plastic surgery programs, this review offers updated, evidence-based insights to help applicants optimize their residency applications and assists programs in refining selection criteria for this highly competitive specialty.