Impact of Planned Research Gap Year on Urology Residency Match Success

To assess the impact of a planned research gap year (RGY) on match outcomes and research productivity among urology residency applicants in the context of the highly competitive urology specialty and the new pass/fail format for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 exam.

We conducted an Institutional Review Board-approved analysis of applicants to our program during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 application cycles. Data on demographics, medical school rank, having a home urology program, USMLE Step 1 scores, and Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) research entries were collected. Match outcomes were verified via the Society of Academic Urologists listing. Statistical analyses were performed to compare characteristics and outcomes between the two cohorts.

Out of 560 total applicants, 61 (10.9%) pursued a RGY. RGY applicants were older (28.2 vs 26.9 years, P <.001), attended higher-ranked medical schools (medical school rank 28 vs 56, P = .028), with lower USMLE Step 1 scores (237 vs 244, P = .004). RGY applicants demonstrated higher research productivity, with a median of 26 ERAS research entries compared to 12 in non-RGY applicants (P <.001). Match rates were comparable (88.5% vs 85.3%, P = .496). RGY utilization was similar between allopathic and osteopathic applicants.

A planned RGY produced more research but did not culminate in higher match rates. The opportunity to take an RGY was equally accessible to both MD and DO applicants. While an RGY may enhance research output, we did not observe an increased match rate among those who utilized it.