Expectations versus reality: Understanding the accuracy of impressions made during virtual interviews of pediatric pulmonary fellowship programs

Rationale As a result of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, all pediatric pulmonary fellowship programs conducted virtual interviews for the first time in the Fall of 2020. This study aimed to understand the accuracy of virtual‐interview derived‐impressions of fellowship programs, as well as applicant preference for future fellowship interview cycles. Methods A group of pediatric pulmonary fellows and Program Directors designed a REDCap survey. The survey was distributed to all first‐year pediatric pulmonary fellows who participated in the 2020–2021 virtual interview season. Results 23/52 (44%) of first‐year pediatric pulmonary fellows completed the survey. 96% were able to form general impressions about fellowship programs during their virtual interviews. 96% reported that generally their fellowship experience matched their virtual‐interview derived‐impressions. 17 of the 19 factors applicants use to rank programs had no statistically significant change (p > 0.05) in impression from virtual interview to fellowship experience. The two factors with a statistically significant (p