Student Expenses in Residency Interviewing

Abstract

BackgroundThe student costs of residency interviewing are of increasing concern but limited current information is available. Updated, more detailed information would assist students and residency programs in decisions about residency selection. The study objective was to measure the expenses and time spent in residency interviewing by the 2016 graduating class of the University of Kansas School of Medicine and assess the impact of gender, regional campus location, and primary care application.MethodsAll 195 students who participated in the 2016 National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) received a 33 item questionnaire addressing interviewing activity, expenses incurred, time invested and related factors. Main measures were self-reported estimates of expenses and time spent interviewing. Descriptive analyses were applied to participant characteristics and responses. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and chi-square tests compared students by gender, campus (main/regional), and primary care/other specialties. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) on the dependent variables provided follow-up tests on significant MANOVA results.ResultsA total of 163 students (84%) completed the survey. The average student reported 38 (1–124) applications, 16 (1–54) invitations, 11 (1–28) completed interviews, and spent $3,500 ($20–$12,000) and 26 (1–90) days interviewing. No significant differences were found by gender. After MANOVA and ANOVA analyses, non-primary care applicants reported significantly more applications, interviews, and expenditures, but less program financial support. Regional campus students reported significantly fewer invitations, interviews, and days interviewing, but equivalent costs when controlled for primary care application. Cost was a limiting factor in accepting interviews for 63% and time for 53% of study respondents.ConclusionsStudents reported investing significant time and money in interviewing. After controlling for other variables, primary care was associated with significantly lowered expenses. Regional campus location was associated with fewer interviews and less time interviewing. Gender had no significant impact on any aspect studied.

Maintaining Core Values in Postgraduate Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Videoconferences had begun to take the place of face-to-face interviews with candidates in recent years as the cost associated with travel to in-person interviews (a few thousand dollars per interview) had become prohibitive. [13][14][15] Thus, some graduate, fellowship, and residency programs had started offering virtual information sessions and interviews prior to the pandemic. These programs may continue to conduct virtual face-to-face interviews and at the same time offer a more cost-effective option for candidates.…”

Not a Cheap Investment: Estimating the Cost of the 2017 to 2018 Ophthalmology Residency Match to the Applicant and Program

“…Application fees for the SF Match Residency Matching Services were used to determine the mean application cost for matched and unmatched applicants. 16 Existing literature was used to estimate the applicant cost per interview 3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] ; the mean of these reports was used.…”

How Much Do Family Medicine Residency Programs Spend on Resident Recruitment? A CERA Study

“…12 Studies of student-reported expenses during residency interviewing show that programs vary significantly in covering costs and providing reimbursement. 13,14 Meals are the most common expenses covered by programs. Students report that programs seldom contribute to accommodation and rarely to travel expenses.…”

“…Students report that programs seldom contribute to accommodation and rarely to travel expenses. 13,14 In general, students report that family medicine programs provide more financial and in-kind support to interviewees than other specialties. 13,14 The purpose of this study were to provide a national snapshot of estimated costs of resident recruitment among US family medicine residency programs based on program characteristics such as region, size, and type (academic, community-based/ university-affiliated, and communitybased/nonaffiliated).…”

“…13,14 In general, students report that family medicine programs provide more financial and in-kind support to interviewees than other specialties. 13,14 The purpose of this study were to provide a national snapshot of estimated costs of resident recruitment among US family medicine residency programs based on program characteristics such as region, size, and type (academic, community-based/ university-affiliated, and communitybased/nonaffiliated). This study also sought to identify and quantify the principal components of recruiting and interviewing expenses, including faculty, resident, and staff time; reimbursement of travel expenses, lodging, and meals; and other costs such as recruitment at national conferences and recruitment materials.…”