The golden tickets: impact of preference signaling on obstetrics and gynecology residency applicants

Background: With the residency selection process becoming more competitive and programs receiving unprecedented numbers of applications, some specialties have introduced preference signaling in an attempt to help applicants target programs of interest. In the 2022–2023 application cycle, obstetrics and gynecology also introduced a 2-tiered system with a limited number of gold signals (n=3) and silver signals (n=15). Objective: Given the novelty of preference signaling in the obstetrics and gynecology residency application process, this study aimed to (1) assess the effect of signals on interview offers and match and (2) discuss applicant attitudes toward this preference signaling system. Study Design: This was a voluntary cross-sectional survey study conducted in April 2023 that was open to all fourth-year medical students who applied to an obstetrics and gynecology residency in the United States. Self-reported demographics, signaling, interview, and match data were collected. In addition, students were asked about attitudes toward signaling on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Of the 1507 applicants who entered an obstetrics and gynecology residency via match or Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program process, 969 (64.3%) completed the survey. Moreover, an additional 22 applicants who did not match responded to the survey. More respondents used all 3 gold tokens (98.3%) and all 15 silver tokens (94.3%). The mean number of applications sent was 74.3±35.1, and the mean number of interviews received per applicant was 12.8±6.6. The interviews or token yields were 64.0%±31.5% for gold tokens, 43.8%±23.1% for silver tokens, and 9.8%±10.0% for no token. Of the survey respondents, 340/951 (35.8%) matched to a gold token program, 338/951 (35.5%) matched to a silver token program, and 244/951 (25.7%) matched to a nontoken program. Furthermore, 499/951 applicants (52.5%) reported feeling slightly positive or very positive about signaling. Conclusion: Most obstetrics and gynecology applicants in this survey participated in preference signaling. Gold and silver tokens were associated with high ratios of interview invitations compared with no token. However, the overall number of applications did not decrease in the 2022–2023 cycle, and only half of survey respondents reported feeling positive about the signaling process. These results can inform program directors and students about application number and strategy in upcoming cycles.