Comparison of In-Person and Virtual Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Interviews from the Applicant's Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic provoked an abrupt transition from in-person to virtual format interviews for integrated vascular surgery residency. Recently, 12 programs (15.8%) resumed in-person interviews in 2023-2024. We evaluated the applicant perspective on both interview approaches.

Students who matched to integrated vascular surgery residency programs in 2024 completed a voluntary, anonymous survey regarding their interview experience.

Of the 100 matched students, 78 completed the survey (53.9% male and 35.9% Caucasian). The median number of interviews was 29, and the median number of applications submitted was 64, highlighting a growing trend in overapplication; 61% of participants completed at least one day with 2 or more interviews, 92.2% attended at least one in-person interview (median: 3, interquartile range: 1-5), and 100% experienced a virtual interview (median: 22, interquartile range: 15-26). The majority of matched students, 71.4%, thought programs with virtual interviews should offer optional second-look visits after the program's rank list was finalized. Of those who attended a second-look visit (41.6%), 65.6% moved the visited program(s) up on their rank list. The majority (57.1%) of matched applicants preferred virtual interviews, followed by 22.1% in-person and 20.8% hybrid interview. Most (89.3%) reported that they would feel pressured to interview in-person if both options were offered. In-person interviews were deemed helpful for forming an overall impression of a program (77.5% agreed), connecting with faculty and residents (66.2%), and assessing culture and collegiality (78.9%), facilities (84.5%), and quality of life in an area (90.1%). Virtual interviews were easier to plan (93% agreed) and conflicted less with applicants' personal wellness (73.2%). Both interview types were equivalent for assessing a program's clinical volume (74.7% agreed) and conveying one's strengths (52.1%).

Despite reporting more comprehensive assessment with in-person interviews, applicants prefer virtual interviews with second-looks, primarily for planning and personal well-being purposes. In addition, second-look visits after virtual interviews can boost a program's standing in an applicant's rank list. Developing strategies to streamline scheduling and mitigate the financial burden of in-person interviews or second-looks could reduce overapplications and overscheduling.