Education Research: Virtual Residency Interviews and the Second Look

Abstract

Background and Objectives The 2023 Match cycle was the third virtual interview season for adult neurology residency programs. This recruitment cycle differed from years prior because an in-person second-look event was offered by some programs to complement the virtual interview day. We sought feedback from those who interviewed for adult neurology residency positions at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota to gain applicants' perspectives on such events and identify best practices to improve the interview experience for future applicants. Methods Virtual interviews were conducted for adult neurology residency positions at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota for the 2023 Match. Each site hosted optional, in-person, no-stakes second-look events after program rank lists were finalized. After Match Day, interviewees at all 3 sites were invited to complete an anonymous electronic survey using Qualtrics software to gather feedback on the in-person events. Results Of the 240 interviewees for adult neurology residency positions at Mayo Clinic, 52 candidates participated in the in-person second-look event on the Arizona, Florida, or Minnesota campus in 2023. One-third of applicants (80/240) completed the anonymous survey, and of them, 34% (27/80) of respondents had attended a Mayo Clinic second-look event. The desire to step foot on campus, meet the residents in person, and visit the geographic area were the most important reasons driving attendance. Those who did not participate cited financial burden, lack of time, and insufficient notice to make travel plans as the most common factors influencing their decision not to attend. Nearly half of attendees who responded to the survey (10/21, 48%) changed their rank order list after the in-person event. Most of them who participated in a Mayo Clinic second-look event (19/21, 91%) would encourage future applicants to partake. Discussion While there are many advantages to virtual residency interviews, most applicants who participated in second-look events found that having an opportunity to visit the program in person was valuable when determining their rank list. Offering an optional, no-stakes, in-person visit allows interviewees to make more informed rank lists. Second-look events have the potential to complement the virtual interview day and may ultimately lead to greater satisfaction for matched applicants.