Judging “Fit” in the Virtual Urology Residency Match: The Applicants’ Perspective

Abstract

Objective

To determine urology applicants’ confidence in judging their fit with residency programs during a virtual application and interview cycle.

Methods

Applicants to our residency program from the 2023-2024 AUA match cycle were surveyed. Applicants’ confidence in judging fit with residency programs virtually was assessed with Likert scale items grouped by time point (pre-interview, day of interview, post-interview). A standard definition of “fit” was provided to reduce interpretation bias. Free-text responses gathered qualitative data for each survey section and regarding use of technology, and were analyzed with a grounded theory approach to identify emergent themes.

Results

Response rate was 47% (110/233). Applicants completed a median of 2 urology away rotations, applied to 77 programs, and attended 15 virtual interviews. Applicants were confident with determining fit overall and based on the majority of virtual application cycle factors (12/16, 75%), and 63% preferred a virtual application cycle. However, 65% rated in-person away rotations as the most important factor for determining fit. Qualitative themes identified included: in-person assessment, direct interactions with programs, crowdsourced opinions, insider knowledge and personal advice, strengths and challenges of virtual interviews, and difficulty with judging fit virtually, among others.

Conclusion

Urology applicants remain confident in judging their “fit” with programs throughout a virtual application cycle, and most now prefer a virtual experience. However, nearly two thirds still value in-person away rotations above all else for judging fit. Both quantitative and qualitative data are critical to refining application and interview cycles as programs regain the option of in-person activities.