Preference signaling in residency applications

[DoctwoB]

Have you guys heard of this? FAQ – Signal

Basically it’s a system that lets applicants send a signal of interest up to a set number of programs (currently set at 12 as that’s the average number of interviews per slot programs conduct). Personally I see this as a win for both applicants and programs and can help curb the problem of over applying, BS pre interview communication, and the associated time and monetary costs. The main downside I see is that without sufficient buy in from PDs it’s pretty much useless.

ENT is instituting their own system where applicants can signal preference to up to 5 programs. Same idea, and it’s baked into the ENT match.

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[Dr.LeoSpaceman]

Have you guys heard of this? FAQ – Signal

Basically it’s a system that lets applicants send a signal of interest up to a set number of programs (currently set at 12 as that’s the average number of interviews per slot programs conduct). Personally I see this as a win for both applicants and programs and can help curb the problem of over applying, BS pre interview communication, and the associated time and monetary costs. The main downside I see is that without sufficient buy in from PDs it’s pretty much useless.

ENT is instituting their own system where applicants can signal preference to up to 5 programs. Same idea, and it’s baked into the ENT match.

Interesting idea. I also would not be surprised to see virtual pre-interviews over the next few years. Now that programs have been forced into a situation where they've had to develop mechanisms for virtual interviews, why not use them in addition to in-person interviews? Especially when Step 1 goes P/F, this would allow the PDs and APDs to screen a larger population of candidates, and hopefully increase the "hit" rate for the type of candidates for whom they're searching. On the candidate side, perhaps increases the chances of being "discovered" despite less-than-stellar measurables.