1. Before you begin
Thalamus supports virtual interviews in two ways: Thalamus Video, the platform integrated within Thalamus Core, and External (3rd Party) Virtual Interview, which uses manually added links from platforms such as Zoom, Teams, or WebEx.
Before you can access Thalamus Video, a program must first create an itinerary and interview session. Refer to the Building Applicant Itineraries and Event Sessions guide for these steps.
Note: We encourage you to test your video chat system before your scheduled interview day. Joining a room early will not affect the link. It simply gives you a chance to get comfortable with the platform.
2. Access your interview day itinerary
On Web
Note: For the best experience, use the most recent version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Safari is supported, but some features may not work as expected, since Thalamus Video is powered by Zoom's Web SDK. Internet Explorer is not supported.
Log in to Thalamus
Select Schedule, then select My Schedule to view your scheduled interview sessions
Navigate to the correct interview session by selecting it from the left navigation menu, or by using the arrows at the top of the page
Note: If you are scheduled for multiple interview sessions on the same day, each session will appear in its own row. Each row will include the session name, time, and date, along with applicant information such as name, medical school, AAMC ID, and email.
Select Join Meeting to enter your virtual interview session
Note: If a program uses a 3rd party platform instead, this link will take you to that platform's site. If a program uses Thalamus Video, you can add notes and scores directly from this screen. If the applicant has uploaded application documents, select View PDF to access them.
Once you select Join Meeting, a new browser tab will open
Note: Program Administrators, Coordinators, and Directors will have access to the Thalamus Video Admin Hub, which lists interview sessions across three tabs.
Select Join to enter the virtual interview
Note: If you cannot find the session you are looking for, select the Upcoming tab.
3. Join a Thalamus Video session
When you enter a session, the Join Meeting page will open so you can set your video options:
Select your camera and microphone device
Mirror your video
Enable a Background Effect: None (default), Blurred video, or Upload custom image
Note: These settings will save locally to your device and browser. You will not need to reselect your camera and microphone for future meetings.
Enable or disable your camera and microphone in the preview
Select Join Meeting
Note: As additional applicants or interviewers join the room, videos will resize to accommodate them. If no one else is in the room, you will see a message stating that other attendees will appear once they join.
4. Navigate the virtual interview room
Once you're in the room, you have access to the following features:
Session Type: Displays the name of the interview session type
Participants: Shows a list of attendees, divided into Interviewers and Applicants
Chat: Opens a public text chat visible to all attendees
Scores/Notes: Opens the applicant drawer where you can access scorecards to privately document notes and scores. Only you and Program Leadership can view this information
Selecting Scores/Notes or a participant will open the applicant drawer. From the drawer, you can:
Access documents uploaded for the applicant
Toggle between applicants using the arrows at the top, if multiple candidates are attending the same session
Resize the drawer by clicking and dragging its left edge, up to 50 percent of your window width
Note: Increasing the drawer size will decrease the size of the participants' video by default.
Other actions available from this view include:
User Profile: Select the drop-down arrow next to your photo to edit profile information, such as preferred pronouns
View Meeting Details: Confirm your session, the time remaining in the room, the video chat link, and the dial-in number
Meeting Controls: Turn your microphone and video on or off, change your audio or video source in Settings, or select Hang Up to leave the video chat
Share: Share your screen or an application
Settings: Update your video, microphone, or background settings
Compatible Mode: Optimizes audio and video streaming for non-compatible hardware or software
View: Choose an attendee layout. Presenter will highlight the active speaker in the main view, while other attendees will appear in a scrolling bar on the right. Grid will show all attendees at once. Layout changes will only apply to you
Note: Program Directors, Administrators, and Coordinators can mute all participants. When all participants are muted, a banner will display stating "The presenter has chosen to mute all participants." Participants can unmute themselves by selecting the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen or within the Participants panel.
5. End an interview
Important: When you finish an interview, you must select the phone "hang up" icon to end the meeting.
If you accidentally leave the room before finishing, repeat the steps in Access your interview day itinerary to rejoin. To move to your next interview, repeat those same steps.
Note: Program Coordinators and Administrators may use the virtual knock or a notification message to let you know an interview is ending or has ended.
For additional questions or support, please contact our team by emailing customercare@thalamusgme.com.