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Applying for Residency
The Match: General Information
Obtaining Residency
Information/Applications
The Application: General
Information
The Curriculum Vitae
The Dean's Letter
Letters of Recommendation
The Personal Statement
Interviewing
Rank List
Interviewing
When should I interview?
Most students block out
several weeks sometime between November and February for interviewing.
How important is the interview?
Once you have been
offered an interview, you can pat yourself on the back because the program
considers you a competitive candidate for their residency program. Realize,
however, that your work is not done. Surveys of residency program directors have
revealed that the interview is the most important criterion used in the selection
of residents. So do not take the interview lightly because a poor interview will
seriously damage the candidacy of even the most qualified applicant while an
outstanding interview can significantly strengthen your application.
How much time off should I take to interview?
The
The amount of time you need to interview varies depending upon the number of
residency programs you are applying to. Other factors such as the location of the
residency programs also plays a role. For example, if you are not restricting
yourself to a certain region of the country, you may be traveling to all parts
(East coast, West Coast). You will have to factor this in.
Do programs wait to schedule interviews until all application
materials are received?
This varies from residency program to residency
program. Many programs will not offer interviews until all components of the
application have been received while others will begin scheduling interviews even
before they have received some parts of your application such as the Dean's
letter. Since it is difficult to know how the residency programs you are
interested in operate, it's in your best interests to stay on top of your
application.
On what days do programs interview?
Again, this varies
from program to program. Some programs have set aside several days out of every
week for the entire interview season to interview applicants while others only
offer interview dates once or twice a month. When you are offered an interview,
try to accept one of the dates that has been given to you. Try not to make any
special requests such as setting up an interview on a day when the program is not
planning to interview applicants. The program may view this negatively.
Where should I interview first?
Even before
interviewing, you will have some thoughts as to which programs are more or less
desirable. Schedule your early interviews at less desirable programs. This will
allow you to ease yourself into the interview process. As your confidence grows
with experience, you will place yourself in a position to shine in your later
interviews.
How should I prepare for the interview?
Preparation
is the key to interviewing well. Try to anticipate questions you may be asked so
that you can give some thought as to how you will answer them. Questions that
interviewers commonly ask interviewees include the following:
- Why did you choose this specialty for your career?
- What do you like most about this specialty?
- What do you like least about this specialty?
- Why did you apply to this residency program?
- What are you looking for in a residency program?
- Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
- What are your greatest strengths?
- What are your greatest weaknesses?
A very useful way to prepare for the interview is to participate
in a mock interview. Many medical schools offer mock interviews. If your school
does not, ask your advisor if he or she would be willing to play the role of an
interviewer.
When should I arrive for my interviews?
Make every
effort to arrive in your interview city on the day before the interview,
preferably in the morning or afternoon. Arriving early will offer you some
flexibility should something unforeseen occur (e.g., bad weather). You will also
have a chance to visit the institution so that you can familiarize yourself with
where you need to go to start your interview day. Also keep in mind that some
programs invite applicants to an informal dinner on the evening before the
interview day. You certainly don't want to miss this opportunity to meet faculty
and house staff.
Should I ask the interviewer questions?
At some point
in the interview, your interviewer is likely to ask you if you have any should
never answer "no" because this is essentially saying that you have no interest in
the program, which may or may not be true. Prepare questions beforehand but make
sure that the questions you ask are appropriate. Questions about vacation, call
schedules, and benefits are appropriate questions for house officers but will not
put you in the best possible light with faculty. Questions that you may wish to
ask faculty include the following:
- What didactics are offered by the department?
- Do the residents have protected time so that they can attend the didactic sessions?
- What percentage of the residents go on to pursue fellowship
training?
- How have the residents performed on the specialty board
certification examination?
- Do you anticipate any changes in the residency program over
the next few years? If so, what changes?
- Does the residency program assist residents in finding jobs
after residency?
When should I send thank-you notes?
Thank-you notes or
letters should be sent to each of your interviewers as well as the residency
program director. They should be sent within 72 hours of your interview. In your
letter, be sure to thank them for the opportunity to interview at their program.
Don't forget to thank them for any food or lodging assistance they provided.
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