Interview Formats - Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended interview format for the 2026-2027 recruitment cycle?
Our program has decided to hold fellowship interviews virtual only for all applicants
Why are virtual-only interviews recommended over in-person or hybrid options?
Virtual-only interviews are considered the most equitable option. They eliminate the financial and time burden of travel, broaden applicant access to nationwide programs, and reduce environmental impact. Furthermore, offering applicants a choice between virtual and in-person interviews creates inequity and pressure; many applicants worry that selecting a virtual interview will be interpreted as a lack of interest and negatively impact ranking.
Will there be any in-person visits?
Yes, in-person visits will be optional for selected individuals whom we find have a strong connection to the program and for whom we feel will fit well in the program.
ERAS Program Signaling
How many signals are allotted to applicants this cycle?
To balance proportionality and application behaviors, the signal allocations for the upcoming cycle are:
- PCCM: 15 signals
Will the signaling system still use Gold and Silver tiers?
No. We have adopted a non-tiered signaling system for the upcoming application cycle. Non-tiered systems preserve clarity, reduce applicant anxiety and decision-making burden, and act as a clearer indicator of genuine interest compared to tiered systems.
How should applicants use their signals?
Applicants are encouraged to use all available signals to express genuine interest in programs where they are well-qualified. It is also recommended to signal your home institution if you are interested in matching there.
How will our program use signals?
Our Program will use signals as part of a holistic review to help identify interested and qualified applicants. However, we will not use signaling data to make ranking decisions on our final rank order list, as signals predict interview interest, but not necessarily an applicant's final post-interview preference.
Geographic and Setting Preferences
How should I answer the Geographic Preference question if I am open to training anywhere?
You should select "I have no preference" rather than leaving the question blank. A blank response might be misinterpreted by programs as indicating a preference for other regions, whereas "I have no preference" explicitly communicates your flexibility. You should only use specific geographic preferences if you genuinely have three or fewer U.S. Census divisions where you would seriously consider training.
What should I indicate for Setting Preference (Urban/Rural)?
Select "No preference" unless you have a strong desire for one particular environment. Only a small number of programs view themselves as strictly "urban" or "rural," and a mismatched setting preference could negatively impact your chances of securing an interview. Our region serves patients from both rural and urban communities.
Application Experiences Section
Do I need to fill out all 10 "Selected Experiences"?
No. While you can list up to 10, quality and authenticity should be prioritized over quantity. Our program will not penalize applicants who list fewer than 10, as this may simply indicate a deep dedication to a limited number of topics. However, it is recommended to select meaningful experiences spanning at least half of the 8 available categories to demonstrate diverse interests.
What should I include in the "Impactful Experiences" section?
This section provides up to 750 characters to describe disadvantages overcome or significant challenges encountered on your path to fellowship that are not mentioned elsewhere in your application or personal statement. This section is entirely optional; applicants who feel comfortable sharing these lived experiences should do so to give programs deeper insight into their unique journey, but no negative weight will be given to applicants who leave it blank.