Impact of Preference Signaling on Residency Interview Distribution Among Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Applicants

Abstract

This study investigates interview offer distribution among applicants of varying levels of competitiveness in a residency application cycle with and without preference signaling. Self-reported applicant survey data evaluating the 2021-2022 Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency signal experience was used to investigate the current distribution of interview offers among applicants. These data then informed a model to assess the distribution of interview offers without signaling in place. 260 (47% response rate) Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency applicants who responded to the survey. Applicants were divided into four quartiles based on their overall interview offer rate (self-reported number of interviews/self-reported number of applications submitted). Applicants in the top quartile received fewer interview offers while applicants in all other quartiles received more interview offers when signaling was introduced. Our data demonstrate that when signaling is introduced, interviews are more evenly distributed among applicants.