Vallejo M C, Price S S, Vanek T W et al. Virtual interviewing in the COVID-19 era: A survey of graduate program directors. J Dent Educ 2022; 86: 535-542.

Virtual interviewing is forecasted to have a presence in applicant selection in the future.

Due to the pandemic, virtual interviews became a mainstay education selection process. This study examined the benefits and pitfalls of the virtual interview process (VIP). An anonymous survey, for completion by a programme representative, was sent to graduate medical education and advanced dental education programmes at West Virginia University. Fifty-two of the programmes (70%) completed the survey. Zoom was the most frequently used platform. Approximately two-thirds of the interviewers thought VIP allowed promotion of the university but also reported experiencing video-conferencing fatigue. About six in ten felt VIP could introduce bias and disadvantage some applicants. Compared to the previous in-person cycle, 67% of programmes invited more applicants and 73% interviewed more applicants. Regarding the 2021-2022 interview cycle, 56% of programmes plan to offer either an in-person or VIP, while 8% plan to keep their process completely virtual.