What Do Program and Geographic Preference Signals Signal? A Survey of Diagnostic Radiology and Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency Applicants.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: As part of the 2022-2023 Diagnostic/Interventional Radiology residency application process, applicants could participate in the ERAS supplemental application, including sending up to six preference signals and three geographic signals. Our goal was to survey Diagnostic Radiology and Integrated Interventional Radiology applicants at two large academic institutions in different geographic locations regarding their perceived impact of program and geographic preference signaling on the application process.

METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent to 282 applicants between two academic medical centers asking about their participation in program and geographic preference signaling as well as their perception on its impact on the application process.

RESULTS: 105 applicants responded to the survey (37.2% [105/282]). Most applicants (26% [27/102]) received four interviews from signaled programs. When prompted to best describe their sentiments with respect to program signaling (one being most negative and five being most positive), the plurality of applicants reported a positive sentiment of four (36% [37/103]). Applicants that received four to six interviews from signaled programs were significantly more likely to feel positively towards program signaling than those that received one to three interviews (p = 0.01). Geography was the most important deciding factor on which programs to signal for applicants (57% [58/101]).

DISCUSSION: Our survey results demonstrate that most applicants felt positively towards program signaling and it increased their odds of receiving interviews from preferred programs, which is consistent with the current literature.

CONCLUSION: Program and geographic signaling are relatively new features of the ERAS residency application process and therefore, their effects on the match outcome are still in question. However, our study results indicate that they are perceived positively by most applicants and that they boost their chances in finding their ideal match.