Role of the interview in admissions at the University of Toronto ophthalmology program.

Objective: To investigate the role of the residency interview in admission to the University of Toronto ophthalmology program.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Participants: One hundred and sixty-nine candidates for admission to the University of Toronto ophthalmology program, 1998-2008.

Methods: Admissions scores were analyzed retrospectively to determine how the interview affected final candidate rank. Interviewers were not blinded to the candidates' applications. Candidate impressions of interview day were investigated through 2 surveys conducted in 2000 and 2005. Twenty-six of the 33 interviewed candidates responded, for a response rate of 79%.

Results: Pre-interview rank was found to correlate with final rank (r = 0.826, p < 0.001, n = 169, 2-tailed) and interview rank (r = 0.426, p < 0.001). Interview rank was also independently correlated with final rank (r = 0.774, p < 0.001). Half the candidates had final ranks within 1 of their pre-interview rank, and 80% were within 3 ranks. The range of rank change was from a loss of 10 ranks to a gain of 11. Survey responses demonstrated that candidates found the interview experience very valuable (14/14) and that it affected their opinion of the program positively (20/26).

Conclusions: While the interview frequently does not substantially change candidate rank order, the occasional large changes suggest that it has the power to make corrections to application scores should they be necessary. The nonblinded design allows interviewers to ask candidates questions specific to their application, resulting in more profound discussion. The surveys show that candidates find the interview to be a valuable experience and likely results in them ranking Toronto's program higher in the match.