Otolaryngology Preference Signaling

Welcome to the otolaryngology interview preference signaling program.

Programs: Attest to Code of Conduct

Applicants: Submit Your Signals

For applicants and programs considering signaling, please review the Signaling Guidance.

Signaling Guidance

Preference Signaling
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Schedule

September 1
ERAS

Applicants may begin submitting applications to residancy programs (ERAS)

September 3 - September 22
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Signaling Open

Signaling Open for ENT applicants via OPDO website

September 22 - September 28
Preparation of Signals

Applicants may begin the preparation of Signals

September 29
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Distribution of Signals to Programs

Residency programs may begin reviewing applications (ERAS)

How Does Signaling Work

Watch our video to learn more about the signaling process

  • Each applicant will receive 4 signals for Match 2022
  • Signals are a finite resource, and thus maintain their value
  • Programs are better able to descern potential interest and fit

Learn More and Stay up to Date

Resources

Resources

Find helpful resources to help you in your signaling process.

Read more
Updates

Updates

Stay up to date. Get the latest signaling updates.

Read more
 

General FAQs

Over the years, the number of applications submitted per applicant has climbed to over 70 programs, while the number of applicants has not changed. The saturation of applications to each program makes it difficult for the applicants to distinguish themselves amongst a large applicant pool. Programs likewise have difficulty discovering applicants that may have unique qualities that would lead to preferable matches. Signaling allows applicants a reliable and equitable approach to demonstrate a sincere interest in specific programs. Residency programs could choose to incorporate signals in their interview consideration process.

To our knowledge, this approach has not been used in graduate medical education. However, experience in other industries and computer modeling of the Otolaryngology application cycle demonstrate that signaling improves the likelihood of receiving an interview offer and results in improved efficiency of the interview selection process. The American Economic Association uses a signaling system to facilitate interviews between post-graduate applicants and employers.

Applicants will submit their list of signals by September 21, 2022. Signals will be sent to programs around September 29, 2022.

No, so long as other Match rules continued to be obeyed. Per Section 6.2 of the Match Participation Agreement For Applicants and Programs, applicants and programs may express their interest in each other [hence signaling]; however, they shall not solicit verbal or written statements implying a commitment. Applicants shall at all times be free to keep confidential all information pertaining to interviews, their ranking preferences and the names or identities of programs to which they have or may apply or any information pertaining to interviews, including the number of applications sent and/or the number of interviews offered, accepted, or attended. Accordingly, programs cannot request applicants to reveal the names, specialties, geographic locations, or other identifying information about programs to which they have or may apply and interview. Neither can programs request applicants to reveal ranking preferences. Applicants and programs cannot request the other party to provide a verbal or written statement of preference as a contingency of ranking. Violation of these restrictions within or outside of the signaling process may be referred to the NRMP for investigation of a possible match violation.

It is worth noting that Section 6.0 of the Match Participation Agreement for Applicants and Programs outlines the need for professional and ethically responsible behavior from applicants and programs and for participants to be able to consider selection decisions without coercion or pressure. The Otolaryngology Signaling Initiative is and will remain voluntary and applicants are not obligated to participate in order to be viewed favorably by programs. Electing to participate does not guarantee an interview, and non-participation does not mean interviews won’t be extended.

Signaling is a program to facilitate the interview offer process. Applicant and program final rank lists should be constructed based upon the order of preference, irrespective of signals sent or received.

Programs that agree to receive signals will abide by the following:

  • Programs shall not require a signal to consider applicants for interview offers.
  • Programs shall NOT disclose identification of applicants who have signaled.
  • Programs shall NOT ask interviewees where they have signaled.
  • Programs shall NOT disclose the number of signals they have received.
  • Programs shall not use signals during rank list discussions
Read more Applicant and Program specific FAQs
 
Click here to watch video!

How Do You Submit Signals?

Each applicant will receive 4 signals for Match 2022

They can distribute those signals to programs of their chosing

Schedule

Applicants, check the submission schedule below

ENT website

Go to ENTsignaling.org

This is the official preference signaling program developed by academic otolaryngology organizations:

OPDO

Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization

SUO

Society of University Otolaryngologists

AADO

Association of Academic Departments in Otolaryngology

AAMC

Association of American Medical Colleges

GSA - COSA

Group on Student Affairs (GSA) the Committee on Student Affairs (COSA)

ERAS

Electronic Residency Application Service

NRMP

National Resident Matching Program

This process is completely voluntary for applicants. We hope applicants will find the program useful to facilitate putting interested applicant with interested programs. If there are any questions, please feel free to inquire using the "contact us" link. Explore this website for more information about the process.