Virtual Versus In-Person Interviews: The Impact of Perceived Success on the Applicant Experience.

Objectives: To comparatively assess otolaryngology residency applicant perspectives on virtual versus in-person interviews and identify associations between perceived application success and interview preferences during the 2023-2024 application cycle using a cross-sectional survey-based study from nationwide otolaryngology residency applicants to a single institution.

Methods: Applicants to an otolaryngology residency program completed a 36-item survey comparing their experience participating in virtual and in-person interviews. Demographics, medical school performance, and application cycle progress data were collected and analyzed for associations between application success and interview preferences. Participants' overall opinion of virtual interviews was calculated by summing their Likert-scale responses, with higher scores (maximum 30) indicating a greater preference for the virtual interview.

Results: A total of 81 applicants, 30% of those invited, completed the survey. An average of 41.1% (SD 18.6%) of respondents' total interviews were in-person. Opinions on the virtual interview were mixed (mean total score of 15.2 (SD 5.2)). Despite only 25.6% preferring virtual interviews, 62.9% supported their continued availability. Those with a higher interview yield were more likely to have a more positive opinion of virtual interviews (OR 1.05, p = 0.0002).

Conclusion: While applicants had mixed sentiments regarding the virtual interview, most indicated that the option for virtual interviews should continue to be available for otolaryngology programs. Participants with a higher interview yield preferred the virtual interview, suggesting applicants' preferences are partly informed by their overall feelings of success during the application cycle.

Level of evidence: 3.