The Hybrid Interview Format

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Some programs may offer a hybrid interview format, meaning an applicant can select either in-person or virtual interviews. Programs that chose to offer a hybrid format did so after considering many factors. They want you to interview in the format that works best for you.

Consider the following factors and questions to guide your decision on the best interview format for you:

Consideration	Question(s) you may consider asking yourself:
Cost	How does opting for a virtual interview impact the overall cost? Can it help reduce expenses on travel, accommodation, and meals compared to in-person interviews? By choosing a virtual interview, how can I effectively manage my budget and potentially save money?
Convenience	In what ways do virtual interviews offer greater convenience? Can I take advantage of the flexibility they provide in scheduling, especially with reduced travel time? How can virtual interviews accommodate my busy schedule while maintaining efficiency?
Comfort Level	How does participating in interviews from familiar environments like my home or school contribute to a more comfortable experience? Can it alleviate interview-related anxiety? Can virtual interviews create a more relaxed atmosphere that allows me to showcase my best self? Or would I perform better in person? What strategies is the program using to ensure fairness and reduce bias?
Ability to Assess Fit	How do programs facilitate the assessment of fit during virtual interviews and events? Are there specific sessions or opportunities for interaction that will help me gauge my compatibility with the program? What resources and platforms are available for me to connect with the program and gain insights into its values and culture?
Ability to See Physical Spaces	Given the virtual interview format, how can I gain an understanding of the program’s physical spaces? Do they offer virtual tours or alternative means to familiarize myself with the environment? How can I virtually explore the medical campus and facilities to gain a comprehensive perspective on the program’s infrastructure and resources? Is there an optional in-person visit day?

Programs may provide information on the ways in which they are working to maintain fairness and equity for hybrid interviews up-front (e.g., not sharing whether an applicant interviewed in-person or virtually with decision committees). If a program does not provide this information up-front, it is appropriate to ask them to provide it so that you have it when making the decision about whether to interview in-person or virtually.

Peer-Reviewed Articles Published in Medical Journals About Hybrid Interviewing

Brian, R., Wang, J. J., Park, K. M., Karimzada, M., Sequeira, N., O’Sullivan, P., & Alseidi, A. (2022). Virtual interviews: assessing how expectations meet reality. Journal of Surgical Education, 80(2), 200–207. https://doi-org.proxy.library.nyu.edu/10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.09.019 

Rohrberg, T., Walling, A., Gillam, M., St Peter, M., & Nilsen, K. (2022). Interviewing for family medicine residency: in-person, virtual, or hybrid? Family medicine, 54(10), 820–827. https://doi.org/10.22454/FamMed.2022.951860 