2026/02/19 by Daniel C Brock, Deborah D Rupert, Toni Darville +3 · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Medicine · #Diversity and Career in Medicine #Health and Medical Research Impacts #Medical Education and Admissions
paper · pdf · doi:10.1172/jci.insight.198778
openalex publication_date 2026/02/19 · openalex created_date 2026/02/21 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Dual-degree medical students pursue additional training to prepare for careers in research, public health, and administration, but how these experiences influence residency application behaviors and outcomes are poorly understood. We analyzed 36,298 residency applicants from the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (TexasSTAR) database spanning 2017-2023 to compare application, interview, and match patterns among single-degree MD applicants and those with MD-PhD, MD-MPH, MD-MBA, or MD-MSc degrees. Despite differences in academic metrics, application strategies, and interview rates, match rates were similar across degree groups. MD-PhD students applied to fewer programs but had the highest interview offer-to-application rate and matched at more prestigious programs based on Doximity rankings. Beyond traditional application metrics such as board scores, research productivity, grades, and honor society membership, strategies including away rotations, geographic preferencing, and program signaling were associated with increased interview offers and match success among all applicants but were less influential for dual-degree applicants. These findings suggest dual-degree applicants require specialized advising and evaluation.