This article reviews the pertinent literature related to the selection proc
ess of medical students to emergency medicine residency programs. The impac
t that academic performance in medical school, the interview, letters of re
commendation, and other achievements have on the performance of the future
resident are reviewed. All articles identified by an English language MEDLI
NE search were reviewed by the authors as to significance to the subject. R
eview of relevant literature indicates that no precise correlation can be m
ade between performance in medical school and achievements during the resid
ency, although there seems to be a correlation between academic performance
in medical school and similar performance on board certification examinati
ons. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.