Preference Signaling Pilot in the Urology Match: Outcomes and Perceptions

To assess the perceptions and outcomes of the A preference signaling (PS) pilot implemented by the Society of Academic Urology in the 2021-2022 Urology Match cycle.

Five non-weighted signals were provided to each applicant, and signals were delivered to programs by the American Urological Association to provide an applicant-centered formal and equitable process to express genuine interest in residency programs. Applicant and program perception and behavior was assessed through surveys. Signal distribution, mean, range, and interview offer rates for overall, signaled, and non-signaled programs were calculated.

In the 2021-2022 Urology Match cycle, 566 applicants completed signaling; 2829 total signals were sent to programs with 97% applicant and 100% program participation. Each program received a mean number of 19 signals (range of 1-62), and 25% of programs received 49% of all signals. The overall interview-offer rate for the cohort was 12.5% (6019 interviews held/47,989 applications received); the signaled interview rate was 51% (1443/2829), and the non-signaled interview rate was 10% (4576/45,160) with an approximate 4-fold increase in rate of interview for signaled programs compared to non-signaled programs. There was moderate to high levels of satisfaction from applicants and programs on the overall process. 48% of programs incorporated PS into initial application review.

Preference signaling was demonstrated to be feasible and successful in providing a novel applicant-directed, formal, equitable, and credible structured process for applicants to express genuine interest in programs. Additionally, programs were able to incorporate PS into their interview selection and recruitment process.