Step 1: Explore the Specialty
Before you pursue a career in General Surgery, it's important to be well informed about the specialty. We've put together a great collection of articles and resources which are essential reading for the aspiring general surgeon.
These articles will give you a better idea of the pros and cons of a career in the field, trends in the specialty, and hot-topic issues for trainees.
Hot Topics, Concerns, and Future Directions in General Surgery
Step 2: Review General Surgery Match Data
General surgery is one of the more competitive specialties. In the 2024 NRMP Match, over 17% of US MD seniors failed to match. Matching with a highly coveted program can be very challenging. “We are a highly competitive program that receives 1600+ residency applications each year,” writes the Department of General Surgery at McGovern Medical School. Securing residency positions is particularly difficult for osteopathic and international medical graduates. In 2024, over 60% of IMG applicants failed to match.
General Surgery-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. MD 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. MD Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
General Surgery-Charting Outcomes in the Match for U.S. DO 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of U.S. DO Seniors Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
General Surgery-Charting Outcomes in the Match for IMGs 2024
Charting Outcomes™: Characteristics of International Medical Graduates Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty: 2024 Main Residency Match®
Step 3: Understand Residency Selection Criteria
"Last year, we received over 1200 applications and conducted 96 personal interviews," writes the Loyola University Department of Surgery.
To maximize your chances of matching with your first-choice residency program in general surgery, you must become well informed as early as possible. In particular, you need to know the criteria residency programs use to select residents.
We recommend beginning with the following resources:
General Surgery-2024 NRMP Program Director Survey
Charting Outcomes™: Program Director Survey Results, 2024 Main Residency Match®
Check out these other recommended resources
Step 4: Develop your Strategy for Success
The process of matching into the specialty and/or program of your choice begins well before it’s time to work on the residency application. Success is the culmination of many decisions and actions that take place over a period of several years.
Many medical students struggle to become strong residency applicants not because they are not talented or hardworking, but because they lack knowledge or guidance about the actions they should take to position themselves for future success.
Complicating matters even further is the rapidly changing landscape in residency admissions making it difficult for both residency applicants and mentors to stay well informed. A recent study showed that 75% of faculty advisors had advising concerns due to lack of knowledge of current practices or recent changes to the residency application.
As competition for positions in the general surgery residency match intensifies, it's more important than ever to be an informed candidate who has the "right" strategy for success. To develop the optimal strategy, use our book, The Successful Match. It's been designated recommended or required reading by the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Medical Women's Association, and numerous allopathic and osteopathic medical schools.
AMSA wrote the book "provides the medical student reader with detailed preparation for the matching process." Fully updated in 2025 with over 1,000 pages of powerful information, the book is a must-have resource to help you stand out from the competition.
This book will empower you to become a stronger general surgery residency applicant. Inside, you'll find answers to the following questions and much more:
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What are reasons to do or not do an away or audition elective in general surgery?
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What are the top characteristics embodied by successful general surgery residents and how can you demonstrate these qualities during rotations?
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What should your signaling strategy be in general surgery?
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Step 5: Make the Most of your Preclinical Years
The preclinical years of medical school are important for students considering a career in general surgery."While academic success is imperative, residency PDs value students who are well-rounded with experience in areas they are passionate about such as research, community service and global health," writes the Association of Women Surgeons.
Step 6: Apply for Scholarships and Awards
Winning medical school scholarships and awards can provide a major boost to your residency application, and set you apart from your peers. Awards can be placed in the application, MSPE (Dean's Letter), letters of recommendation, and CV. We have found that interviewers often ask about awards during residency interviews.
Step 7: Assess your USMLE Step 1 Score or COMLEX 1 Score
The USMLE or COMLEX is an important factor in the general surgery residency selection process. In 2018, the mean USMLE Step 1 score among matched U.S. seniors was 236 and the mean COMLEX 1 score among matched osteopathic students was 613. Among unmatched U.S. seniors and osteopathic students, the mean score was 219 and 554, respectively.
Step 8: Strive for Success During Clerkships, Observerships and Externships
Grades in required or core clerkships are very important to general surgery residency programs. In a NRMP survey of general surgery residency programs, 76% cited "grades in required clerkships" as a factor in selecting applicants to interview. General Surgery rotations are also of obvious importance to international medical graduates seeking positions in the field.
Step 9: Prepare a Powerful Residency Application
In my experience working with applicants, errors are common in the ERAS Application. Although spelling and grammatical errors are frequently seen, equally common and dangerous are the less well-appreciated errors.
Step 10: Develop a Powerful Personal Statement
In a survey of general surgery residency programs, 74% cited the personal statement as a factor in selecting applicants to interview.
"Along with USMLE scores, letters of recommendation have the most weight upon the selection committee and should include at least one from a general surgeon, preferably from an academic institution," writes the Department of Surgery at Southern Illinois University. "Research, honors in the surgery clerkship, and a strong personal statement are also factors."
Step 11: Deliver an Impressive Interview Performance
An invitation to interview is exciting news, and confirmation that you're considered a competitive candidate for a residency position. However, your work is not done, and you need to be diligent in your interview preparation to maximize your chances of success.
In one study, 57% of general surgery residency programs indicated that they base 25-50% of the final rank on the interview performance. In this same study, 37% indicated that they base over 50% of the final rank on the interview performance.
What if I didn't match?
If you were unsuccessful during your initial match cycle, you'll need to sit down with your dean or advisor to review your match strategy. In planning your reapplication, each of the steps above becomes even more important.
For those who seek additional expert assistance, we can provide that. Dr. Desai has had significant experience in helping re-applicants match successfully.
This is provided via a Strategy for Success Session. Dr. Desai will perform a comprehensive review of your credentials, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and provide you with a specific plan to implement tailored to your unique situation.