The following is the summary of “Preference Signaling in the 2022 Urology Residency Match – The Applicant Perspective” published in the December 2022 issue of Urology by Leopold et al.

The purpose of this study is to assess how well applicants used preference signaling in the Urology Residency Match of 2022. All individuals who applied to the Urology Residency Program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School for the 2021-2022 academic year were sent a link to an anonymous online survey. The poll gathered data on respondent age, gender, education, employment history, preferred locations for receiving preference signals, responses to preference signals, matches made, and overall feelings about preference signals.

The urology residency program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) received 283 of the total 601 applications for the year 2022’s Urology Residency Match. Researchers received 53 completed surveys from 283 applications (about 19%). The interview rate for preference-signaled programs was 54.23%, while the interview rate for comparison-based programs was just 40.54% (P=.001). 14.29% matched to their home program, 26.19% matched to a program they signaled, and 35.71% matched to a program where they completed an away rotation. Overwhelmingly, 96% of respondents agreed that the preference signaling program should continue.

Based on their research results, preference signaling during the 2022 Urology Match was a viable option for demonstrating program interest. The vast majority of those who filled out their survey are in favor of keeping the program alive for future urological matches. However, this solution might not solve the fundamental issue of an ever-increasing number of applications required by both schools and prospective students. Until the impacts of preference signaling on the Urology Match are better understood, investigators advocate for more in-depth research into the topic.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0090429522008147