Interview Experience, Postinterview Communication, and Gender-Based Differences in the Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Match

ABSTRACT Objective Integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) applicant perspective about the Match process has been rarely studied, yet has important implications on trainee recruitment. We sought to better understand the nature of the interview process, and post-interview communication and its impact on students’ ranking choices. Methods A voluntary and anonymous survey was sent to students who matched to IVSR in 2020, inquiring about interviews, post-interview communications and factors influencing students’ rank-lists. Results 70 of the 73 matched students completed the survey (96% response rate; 23 female and 47 male). Applicants reported they were asked questions about other programs of interest (81.4%), top choice programs (65.7%), marital-status (32.9%), family-planning (7.1%) and religion (1.4%) during interviews. Female applicants were more frequently asked questions about family-planning (17.4% vs 2.1%; P Conclusions This study provides insight into the interview experience and impactful factors for the vascular surgery match. Both female and male applicants were asked a high number of questions about personal matters unrelated to medical school performance. Female applicants, however, experienced a higher proportion of these instances, particularly regarding family-planning. These findings demonstrate the factors that are important to applicants in the match process and raises awareness of potential challenges in the interview and recruitment process.