Common Residency Interview Questions—and How to Answer Them
/Residency interview questions you can expect, plus everything you need to know to impress committees with your answers
PRACTICING RESPONSES TO COMMON RESIDENCY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF INTERVIEW PREPARATION
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Part 1: Introduction
You’ve cleared most hurdles a physician-to-be must face: the grueling medical school admissions process, parts of the USMLE, and even several rotations. With your ERAS application under review, there’s only one thing left to do on the road to becoming a resident doctor: ace your interviews.
Undoubtedly, the most anxiety-inducing part of your fourth year of medical school is the uncertainty of The Match. Though residency Match has some things in common with medical school interviews and others you might have already survived, there are unique aspects to the residency interview that may take you by surprise.
Fortunately, there is a systematic way to excel in the residency interview process. This guide will show you how to stand out from other applicants, help you understand what purposes the interview serves, and offer suggestions on what to do post-interview—besides kick up your feet and take a deserved deep breath.
Why residency programs interview you
Why do residency programs interview you in the first place? Isn’t there enough information for them to gauge whether you’d be a great resident in your Dean’s Letter? Doesn’t your CV speak for itself? You’re highly ranked in your class—what more could they possibly want to know?
Residency programs can learn much about you through your ERAS application materials, including your:
Clinical performance (MSPE scores/Dean’s Letter/grades in required clerkships)
Medical knowledge, including basic sciences and medical practice (USMLE scores)
Perceived commitment to specialty and relevant experiences (residency personal statement, medical student CV)
Evidence of professionalism in collaborative settings (ERAS letters of recommendation)
But there are also things that can’t be gleaned from your application materials alone. Programs look for evidence of the following through your interview.
That you’re personable and easy to connect with. This is arguably as important for interacting with staff, nurses, and colleagues as it is for interacting with patients. You’ll be interacting with people every day as a physician, so you must be sociable.
That you don’t exhibit clear interpersonal difficulties, such as social awkwardness. Nobody wants to work with someone whose ego or self-consciousness makes day-to-day work a slog, especially not during residency, which is demanding enough without contending with fraught social dynamics.
That you are as polished in person as you convey through your applications. It’s possible to edit an essay to sparkling perfection, but flaws are difficult to cover up during an in-person interview. Plus, committees are not only hiring an apprentice to learn in their program—they are hiring a colleague whose personality must complement those of their existing team.
These three pieces of information highlight two powerful insights about how to think about and approach the residency interview process:
An interview invitation means you’ve made the academic, extracurricular, and clinical cut. You won’t be rejected based on insufficient stats or extracurricular experiences. Therefore, you should go into the interview with confidence that you’re “good enough” academically and clinically.
You should pay significant attention to how you answer questions and interact with interviewers and other school staff. If you endear yourself to faculty and staff, you’ll survive minor missteps. However, poor first impressions are difficult to overcome, no matter how well you answer interview questions. It’s not just a matter of etiquette and convention—it’s a matter of reading the situation and people around you.
If you think of your residency interviews as an opportunity to genuinely engage faculty, residents, and staff—a much higher priority than showcasing your deep medical knowledge—you’ll maximize your odds of matching to your top-choice residency programs.
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Part 2: What to do before interview day
To make Match jitters worse, interview invitations are sent out according to specific specialties’ timetables, the schedules of specific programs, or a combination of the two. It’s easy to despair if those around you are receiving interview invites at a higher rate than you, but remember that the interview period is long, running from September until mid-January at the latest. Thus, it’s best to focus on excelling in your rotations and, when you can carve time out of your busy schedule, practice your interview skills.
Here’s how to prepare for your residency interviews, including dos, don’ts, and other crucial etiquette.
Navigating residency interview logistics
Upon receiving an interview invitation, respond immediately. Some programs—it’s difficult to say which, as this isn’t something programs like to advertise—offer more invitations for interviews than they can accommodate. If you want to secure your spot, call or email the coordinator as soon as possible to schedule your date.
When communicating with any program staff, consider it part of the interview, regardless of their position in the department. Scheduling interviews, especially during peak interview season, can be a logistical nightmare, and you may find available dates inconvenient for one reason or another. No matter the situation, do not lose your temper or come off as pushy. You want to be remembered for your politeness and tact. Express your gratitude for the opportunity and excitement to learn more about the program.
This is a tip that may seem counterintuitive but can reap positive results: if possible, schedule an interview for a program that’s lower on your list for your first interview. You can treat this as a “practice interview” before you assimilate the interview format in preparation for your top programs. That said, don’t push your top programs too late in the interview cycle, either. Find the sweet spot toward the beginning-to-middle of the season when you’re energized and capable, and when the early date of your interview can still reflect your enthusiasm for the program. Conversely, schedule programs that you are less likely to go to at the end of the cycle.
Once you confirm your interview date, book your travel and accommodations immediately to lock in the best available prices. Arrive for your interview in the city the day before and remember that travel delays might interfere with your schedule; plan accordingly. Direct morning flights can help minimize the likelihood of delays, especially in cold-weather locations where ice or snow could interrupt your plans.
Make sure that you plan enough time to arrive at the location, gather your thoughts, and relax before the interview. Rushing to the interview can make you appear harried and agitated during the question and answer portion. Whether this reflects poor planning on your part (losing track of time, rushing to avoid tardiness) or is misconstrued as nervousness at the interview process doesn’t matter, as the effect is the same – admissions committees may feel uneasy or put off by either. Though committees may be able to overlook such missteps, avoid giving them reason to see you in a negative light.
Finally, if dinner is offered the night before the interview, consider it mandatory even if the program says that it’s optional. Dinners are great sources of information and an opportunity to meet and connect with current program residents. If interview panelists will be present at the dinner and you’re especially adept at conveying interesting details about your experiences in casual conversation, the dinner can even be an opportunity to “shape” the kind of interview you’ll have the next day, as it will allow you to display your warmth and interpersonal touch.
Research residency programs and prepare to discuss your application
The first step in preparing for your interview is to study your ERAS application inside and out. If you listed a detail or mentioned an experience on your application, it’s fair game to be discussed during your interview,
When you’re asked about your desire to become a physician, or why you want to join a particular program, your response should be consistent with your application. Adding new information is OK, but don’t raise red flags by bringing up completely new reasons.
In addition, list your strengths, values, accomplishments, and abilities. This list will offer the answers to many questions interviewers may ask, such as, “What makes you stand out from other candidates?” and “Why should we select you as a resident for our program?”
After creating this list for yourself, identify five key aspects of yourself that you want the program to know, and make sure these aspects align with what makes you a stand-out candidate for the program in question.
Once you know your application cold, visit the program’s website and study it carefully. Pay special attention to any keywords or key concepts, like diversity and research, that come up a lot so you can demonstrate fit with those aspects of their culture and stand out.
Additionally, talk to your contacts, fellow students, or alumni of your med school who might have a connection to the program or supporting institution. Specialty-specific advisors at your school may have insight about a program’s interview process or areas of importance, and faculty or attendings may have been residents or know current residents in the program with whom they can connect you.
If provided with interviewer names in advance, look up their research and clinical interests and, if appropriate, ask questions about their work during your interview. While such questions aren’t necessary—and overdoing it can make you seem cloying—it’s wise to have some thoughtful inquiries ready.
And of course: you’ll want to be up to date on your chosen specialty, including trends and topics of interest. Be sure you’ve looked at the latest journals and specialty association sites. Having a sense of the academic and professional conversations abuzz within your specialty of choice will equip you to show off that you’re truly prepared to be a colleague in this field. Demonstrating insufficient knowledge on such topics may undermine your commitment to the specialty and, ultimately, the likelihood that you’ll match with the interviewing program.
Practice answering interview questions
Make sure to go through several mock interviews before your first official one. Good folks to request practice interviews with include:
Your medical school advisor, especially if their area of expertise is your specialty of interest
A friend who has successfully navigated the residency match process
A residency admissions consultant
Ask your interviewer to provide feedback on answer content and delivery, including eye contact, speed, and conversational fluidity. When you get feedback, practice answers using your newfound approach instead of simply taking notes for the future.
Another tool that candidates sometimes find helpful is recording themselves as they answer questions during a mock interview. This need not be a complicated audiovisual ordeal with high production values; your phone camera will usually suffice. You can review the footage later to see what others see and consider if there are any gestures or tics you want to avoid, and any other body-language elements you may wish to incorporate.
Keep in mind, however, not to practice too much. Some applicants who over-rehearse answers or repeat examples from essays can seem robotic. Instead, you’ll always want to converse naturally.
Your official interviews can be stressful. You may not be fully rested and feel anxious, so aim to recreate stressful conditions for your mock interviews. Sleep less beforehand, drink coffee, and do whatever else you need to give yourself slight jitters. That way, your interview day will feel more familiar.
Here is a list of ways you can make your mock interview more stressful:
Sleeping less than 7 hours the night before
Consuming more or less caffeine than you typically do
Wearing uncomfortable clothing
Interviewing in a new location
Interviewing with a new face
Interviewing with someone who has a harsh or cold demeanor
These are just a few of the many ways you can stress yourself out to simulate interview day jitters. You can be as creative as you need to be, but don’t go overboard—whatever stressful situation you induce should approximate the level of stress you typically experience during interviews.
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Part 3: Sample residency interview questions and answers
Answering residency interview questions essentially boils down to the following:
Answer in a way that is consistent with your application materials.
Ensure your answers progress clearly—avoid non-sequiturs and tangents—and address the question directly.
Take a firm position on an issue (e.g., bioethical or healthcare policy issues) when necessary, but make sure to demonstrate your reasoning for your stance.
Demonstrate how you prioritize patient needs above all else.
Use appropriate speech volume and tone and make consistent eye contact.
Display appropriate emotions and facial expressions (e.g., laugh when it’s appropriate to laugh).
Update your interviewers on achievements since submitting your ERAS application.
Below, we’ve selected a few common residency interview questions and provided strong sample responses for each to demonstrate how to apply this guidance.
Residency interview question #1: “Tell me about yourself.”
A staple of most interviews, this question is open-ended enough that, even if you’ve heard it before, a new context can still make you unsure about how best to approach it. Should you talk about why you’re pursuing this specialty? Does your interviewer want to know about your clinical experiences? Is this a trick question?
It is not a trick question, but there are better and worse ways to respond.
A common misconception: Applicants think they should immediately start talking about their medical experiences, especially ones related to the specialty they intend to pursue. They worry that if they don’t emphasize medical experiences from the get-go, they’ll come off as less enthusiastic or committed than other candidates.
How to approach the question: Before discussing medical experience, describe personal aspects of your background, such as your upbringing and interests, to humanize yourself and not seem like a typical med student.
An effective sample response:
I grew up in a Japanese American family in Boulder. As the eldest of four kids, I was expected to help around a lot, whether that was staining wood for my mom’s frame shop or mixing chemicals for my dad’s darkroom. When I was young, I resented it a little (chuckles). But now that I’m a darkroom photographer myself, I realize it was the beginning of my interest in chemistry, which I took to CU Boulder and then medical school at UC Davis. I ended up getting very interested in radiology, which can actually feel a lot like a darkroom at times…
This applicant doesn’t need to turn to his specialty interest at the end, but he has a nice, natural hook. He might easily have instead mentioned that at UC Davis, alongside medical school, he took up recreational cycling, and that he’s excited to be interviewing in Pittsburgh, where he knows the hills will give him a run for his cycling money.
(Suggested viewing: Tell Me About Yourself: How to Answer this Residency Interview Question)
Residency interview question #2: “Why did you choose this specialty?”
A common misconception: Applicants wonder whether they should reiterate the answer they gave in their personal statement. They also worry that a lack of experience in their specialty of choice will reflect negatively on them, even in cases when it’s not their fault—for instance, if their medical school did not offer a rotation option in that specialty.
How to approach the question: Overall, this is an important one. It’s the equivalent of the “Why do you want to go to medical school?” question that you might have been asked when you were applying to MD programs. Remember: First, remain consistent with the answer you gave in your personal statement. Giving an entirely new answer might stump the interviewers or cast you as inauthentic.
Second, think about key experiences and anecdotes. What was your first exposure to this specialty? Did you happen to shadow an ENT doctor way back in undergrad? Did you only encounter dermatology during a fourth-year rotation? What did it feel like to realize you’d clicked with the specialty? What did you click with? Was it the particular intellectual challenge that comes with the diagnostic rush? Was it the chance to work with technology in a high-impact context? Was it the most patient-centric specialty you encountered?
You can’t give your interviewers all this information, but keeping experiences, characters, and moments of epiphany handy will help.
It’s worth noting that interview panels may understand that different applicants have had different levels of exposure to their chosen specialty. If you’re nervous that you might be seen as green to this particular specialty, think of the skills, traits, behaviors, and values that dominate in your specialty of choice and answer with analogous experiences.
An effective sample response:
Before I started medical school, I thought I wanted to be a pediatrician because I love working with kids. But during my away rotation in radiology, I realized that I enjoyed diagnosing through the eyes of a radiologist and, more importantly, that I liked talking like a radiologist. I love working with children, but the technical part of me likes having equals with whom I can solve problems. I realized that it wasn’t an either-or situation. I haven’t been able to explore pediatric radiology, but if my away rotation and my experience volunteering at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital are any indication, I’d combine the best of both.
This applicant might then further furnish their answer with a particular anecdote, say, about a child undergoing an MRI, or a physician who explained to them that pediatric radiology might be a perfect fit for their intellectual and personal interests.
Residency interview question #3: “Why do you want to join our program?”
A common misconception: Some applicants think they must be overly complimentary of the program, but this may result in a generic list of perks like well-known faculty and colleagues, exemplary status in the specialty, great location, etc.
How to approach the question: While researching the program, identify clear reasons why you would fit well with the program, and vice versa. You can highlight these points during your interview. You don’t need to have a laundry list. A single coherent statement about fit is much better than a smattering of impersonal details.
An effective sample response:
I’m drawn to UCR School of Medicine’s Internal Medicine program because of its strong non-traditional curriculum. In medical school, I’ve spent much of my time volunteering at a free clinic for low-income patients in Boyle Heights. I was exposed to all sorts of ailments and people of all ages, but the common factor was that everything was outpatient work.
In effect, we were an ambulatory clinic that anchored that community’s access to medical care. Our patients were more willing to come to us because we were conveniently located and met their needs without being the full-size hospital down the road, which they found intimidating and inaccessible. The fact that UCR emphasizes ambulatory training alongside inpatient care is a big draw for me.
The second reason I’d like to join UCR’s IM program is because its curriculum is so grounded in the needs of the Inland Empire. I grew up in Hemet, not too far from the Riverside University Health System Medical Center, and I saw firsthand how healthcare disparities in the inland desert grew as more people started moving in from LA and Orange Counties. I see medicine bringing me back home to the IE, and having my residency take place here with physicians that are addressing the unique challenges these communities face aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals.
Residency interview question #4: “What is a strength of yours? A weakness?”
A common misconception: Residency applicants often think the strength and especially the weakness they choose to share have the power to make or break the committee’s perception of them as a candidate. That’s not quite true. Interviewers know they don’t know you. They know you could say practically anything. Clearly, what you say is not as important as how you say it.
How to approach this question: To discuss a strength, share something you do well and provide a concrete example that demonstrates this quality in action. If the example draws on items listed in your CV or personal statement, it makes your answer stronger and helps you add depth to the interviewers’ understanding of materials they’ve already seen.
This is an evidence-based way of identifying your strength, and in sharing it with the committee, they will learn how and to what you ascribe worth and value.
The trickier part for almost all applicants is identifying, and speaking about, a weakness. You have one. But which should you talk about? (And you must talk about one, if asked.) Select an issue with which you’ve struggled and for which you’ve devised—or begun to devise—a successful strategy for improvement.
It’s not so important that you’re weak in a given area; what matters is what you’ve done or are doing to improve it. This will show the program how you problem-solve, learn, and grow, all key elements of the self-awareness all programs hope their residents exhibit.
An effective sample response:
One of my strengths is definitely perception. I’m attuned to people’s feelings without them having to tell me about their emotions, and I can usually anticipate emotional needs. This has been pretty important during my time working on the oncology unit, because sometimes patients are so overwhelmed with all that they don’t know or understand about their own conditions that it takes a particularly sensitive person to slow down and check in on them.
This responder doesn’t need an anecdote to illustrate her strength—it’s a pretty clear and comprehensible strength, and, frankly, someone with emotional intelligence often just beams that quality out naturally.
One of my weaknesses is not knowing when to say “no.” I hate turning down opportunities to grow or help others, so I tend to say yes a lot, even if I’m already swamped with responsibilities. A solution I’ve found that works is having what I call a “No Committee.”
Essentially, I chose two people who know I struggle to say no. When someone asks if I’d like to participate in a service activity, for instance, or take on additional shifts, I tell the requester to let me consider it and that I’ll get back to them with an answer within a day. In that time, I create a pros and cons list about the request, and I consider where the opportunity fits in with my goals.
Then, I take this information to my No Committee, which hears me out and then, for the most part, tells me to turn it down. They point out where the reasoning is off in my pros and cons list and, with their blessing, I feel more comfortable going back to the colleague who, for example, asked me to cover a volunteer shift for them at the VA. Sometimes I’ll even tell them directly: “Sorry, but my No Committee said I can’t help this time, but thanks for thinking of me.” Setting boundaries in this way has worked wonders in my professional and personal life.
Residency interview question #5: “What are the characteristics or traits in colleagues or coworkers you dislike the most?”
A common misconception: This is not, as it might initially seem, an invitation to vent about annoyances that have bothered you in the past. Nor is it a trap to get you to divulge a side of yourself you’d rather not share during an interview.
How to approach this question: It’s important that you can recognize traits you dislike in others to, and this is the important part, demonstrate how you’ve responded in the past and provide evidence that you can still work professionally with individuals whom you dislike.
As a physician, you won’t get to choose your patients’ dispositions and you won’t get to choose your colleagues. Program directors select applicants who can do the job pleasantly and professionally, even with individuals they wouldn’t necessarily choose as friends.
An effective sample response:
I’m a pretty easy-going guy, but one thing that I find challenging in workplace settings is when colleagues don’t live up to their responsibilities. Still, this is a challenge I’ve learned to respond to without impatience or anger.
For instance, when I was working as a teacher before medical school, I saw very clearly how so much of what hasn’t been done is being neglected not out of malice but simply out of really threadbare financial conditions and overstressed calendars.
Sometimes working in the ED reminds me of being a public school math teacher. The work has to be done, but everyone is exhausted, and time and resources are finite. One of the attendings on my ED rotation in my third year actually asked everyone to try out doing a compassion meditation before their shift so that we could remember that any colleague’s “failure” came from somewhere. I don’t do that regularly anymore, but the practice left quite an impression.
Inappropriate and illegal questions
Not everyone on your interview panel will be skilled at conducting interviews, and they may ask questions that you are not obligated to answer. These restrictions exist to prevent employers from unfairly eliminating you from consideration. Most illegal questions fit into one of three broad categories:
Disabilities and physical skills
Race, ethnicity, or creed
Family and relationship issues
It’s important to keep in mind that these questions are generally not malicious, but they may be ignorant. There’s a fine line between illegal questions and those that are inept, curious, or intended to be friendly.
Plus, because medicine is such an all-consuming vocation, you may find that some doctors still think it’s acceptable to ask about your plans for relationships, children, marriage, and other personal matters that would be clearly verboten in most other professional contexts. In these cases, the asker is likely trying to suss out your commitment to the field, which you can convey through your passion, rather than directly defending your personal priorities.
How you address awkward or probing questions—legal or illegal—is a personal decision, but declining to answer a question may introduce unease into the interview committee, which you want to avoid.
So, how do you, the residency candidate, respond to such questions with grace while still protecting your right to privacy? First, refrain from responding aggressively. Consider this an opportunity to make a positive impression through your demonstration of tact. Bring your response back to the purpose of the interview: evaluating you for the residency position.
An effective sample response:
I’ve never found that my accent has interfered with my ability to provide quality care to patients, and I don’t expect it to be a problem during my residency.
Questions to ask at your residency interview
At the end of most interviews, you’ll be invited to ask your interviewer a few questions. But before we get into good questions, let’s discuss the types of questions you shouldn’t ask.
Information clearly advertised on the program website (e.g., “How many residents are there in each cohort?”)
Things that would be more effectively answered by someone else (e.g., don’t ask a faculty member about the resident experience if you have the opportunity to meet residents in the program)
Canned or quiz-like questions (e.g., “What do you see as the strengths of the PGY-1 curriculum?”)
On the other hand, powerful questions include the following:
Thoughtful questions about specific opportunities (e.g., “What criteria determine whether a PGY-2 resident qualifies for the legal medicine elective?”)
Soliciting advice about navigating residency (e.g., “What have you observed to be the most common struggles for first-year residents, and what advice would you be willing to share with someone like me?”)
Residency interview thank you note
Unless a program explicitly asks you not to send thank you notes, you should send one to every person with whom you interviewed within 24–48 hours of your interview. Sending thank you notes via email is acceptable, even preferred.
The first opportunity you have to take notes about your interview, jot down the person’s name and a few bullet points about what you discussed during the interview. Make special note of any advice or guidance they provided, because you should incorporate those notes into your letters. Here’s a sample thank you letter template you can use to email your interviewers.
Dear Dr. [interviewer’s last name],
Thank you once more for taking the time to interview me for the residency program at [School or Program Name] (earlier today/yesterday/specific date). Throughout my interview day, I (enjoyed/was impressed with) [a few reasons you enjoyed your visit, whether the people, facilities, culture, etc. Consider a one- or two-sentence anecdote that you haven’t already shared about your visit.], which aligns with [some quality or aspiration that is important to you]. In addition, [reference a personal interaction you had, for instance, “I appreciated your candid advice about making it through the first two years of residency” or “I am still thinking about the paper we discussed…”]. Since the interview, [something you thought about, researched, or developed an insight about.]
My strong interest in [School or Program] was only confirmed on interview day. If you would like any additional information from me, please feel free to reach me by phone at [number] or email at [address]. Otherwise, I look forward to Match Day.
Best,
[Your first and last name]
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Part 4: Frequently asked questions
When do residency interviews come out?
A few programs send interview invitations quite early, as early as a week or two weeks after you submit ERAS. But for the most part, you can expect residency interview invitations in October.
(Suggested reading: The Ideal ERAS Timeline)
How many residency interviews should I go on?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as the ideal number of residency interviews depends on your applicant profile and the competitiveness of the specialty you’re attempting to match into. However, NRMP data can help point the way.
In the 2020 Match, U.S. MD seniors who successfully matched into a residency ranked, on average, 12.5 programs. This is consistent with data from previous years that shows that ranking 12 programs gives allopathic medical students a 95 percent chance of matching. For this reason, our general recommendation is to go on enough interviews that you’ll be able to rank 10–15 programs come Match time, keeping in mind that you may find reasons not to rank one or two programs with which you’ve interviewed.
That said, if you’re aiming to match into a highly competitive specialty, it’s a good idea to schedule even more interviews if you can. For example, successful applicants to vascular surgery residencies ranked an average of 17 programs in 2020, and thus went on at least this many interviews.
(Suggested reading: How to Develop Your NRMP Rank Order List)
I’ve heard that residency interviews are notoriously unpredictable, and that some of the questions asked might be embarrassing or invasive. If this true? If so, how should I handle these types of questions?
Yes and no. On the one hand, there are common questions that are common staples of the residency interview process, which means you can prepare for them in advance. (We’ve listed some of the most common ones above.)
On the other hand, barring the illegal questions already noted in the article, there are questions admissions committees might ask you regarding more personal aspects of your life that are nevertheless not illegal and are, therefore, questions you must answer or risk seeming like a poor sport.
Questions like, “Any skeletons in your closet you want to tell me about?,” “What would you be willing to sacrifice for a successful medical career?,” and “What is the worst thing that has ever happened to you?” are, unfortunately, fair game.
In cases such as these, use your judgment. Ask yourself: Does the interviewer’s tone indicate the question is at least partly asked in a humorous way, thus suggesting a humorous (yet tactful and appropriate!) answer might be acceptable? Is there an example you could share that would showcase you in a positive light, perhaps bouncing back from adversity or demonstrating your commitment to your chosen career in a way that still demonstrated your even-keeled demeanor?
You can practice such “curveball” questions during your mock interview to get comfortable responding. You can also brainstorm some examples you could draw on that wouldn’t compromise your integrity or make you uncomfortable to the point of undermining the rest of your interview performance. Interviewers are not out to undermine you, but they are interested in seeing how you might react under pressure.
My friend wrote about his interest in ballroom dancing in his ERAS application, and his interviewers asked him to show them his moves during his interview. Should I be prepared to prove I can [yodel, competitively eat, blow fire, etc.] as I said in my CV?
Not necessarily, but you must be accountable to any information in your application materials. In some cases, this might mean demonstrating a talent you mentioned in your application. In other cases, they may not ask about these things at all. This is why it’s important not to embellish your initial application and to review your application materials thoroughly.
I just interviewed with my top program and want them to know that they are my number one program in my thank you note. Is it okay to do this when I have several interviews at other programs lined up for the rest of the cycle?
Wait until mid-to-late January to inform your top program that they are first on your list. It means little early in the interview season. Also, you cannot indicate you intend to rank a program first unless it’s true. You have exactly one chance to say it, so choose wisely.
One additional note on this: Programs should not ask you how you are ranking them. They can encourage you to rank a certain way, tell you they would Match you if you ranked them, but they cannot ask you where you intend to rank them, as it is a violation of Match tules. As with everything, handle such a situation with tact and positivity, but remain noncommittal. Finally, avoid putting them on the spot for breaking a rule.
(Suggested reading: Letters of Intent for Medical Residency: The Ultimate Guide)
I want to ask programs where I’m interviewing if they might subsidize my travel to their interview, but I’m worried it might be frowned upon or adversely affect my chances at matching. What should I do?
You can contact a program at which you’re interviewing and inquire as to any financial aid for interviewees. You should not be penalized for doing so. Ask for a “Budget Adjustment for Residency” and make sure you understand how this money is disbursed. It will most likely be issued as a reimbursement, but some programs may give you an advance for anticipated expenses.
In some cases, your home institution may offer funds as well, so make sure you check their options.
Is it appropriate to ask about sick days, holidays, what time residents get out, whether moonlighting is an option, etc.?
It’s always fine to try to find out these things at any job interview, including at a residency interview. That said, how you ask these questions makes a huge difference. Coming in with a laundry list of questions about the specifics of work-life balance might give the impression that you’re less excited about the job opportunity than what the job opportunity might let you accomplish outside of work.
There are a few ways you can discern this information. First, ask other residents who you might meet during the interview day, and ask them in more conversational settings. A good, broad phrasing might be: “I’m so excited about the program for X, Y, Z reasons. One thing I am trying to find out about is how much the programs I’m looking at prioritize residents’ wellbeing. Can you tell me a little bit about work-life balance here?”
You can also keep an eye out for buzzwords surrounding work-life balance and wellbeing. Programs are increasingly aware of the problem of resident and physician burnout, and they may be actively pitching you on their resources for dealing with it.
I’m nervous about bringing up my physical accommodation, plans to get pregnant, some other personal stuff, is it kosher to do so? What do I do?
The immediacy of your need should determine whether and how you bring up your need. If you’re pregnant now, many employers would hope that you mention it, though you’re far from required to. If you have another accommodative need that will affect your work on day one, you should mention it as well. Interviewers who don’t respond well may be an indication that that program is wrong for you.
Should I admit that I’m applying to two subspecialties?
If someone asks you explicitly about this—say, if it’s obvious based on your resumé that you’re interested in both family medicine and pediatrics—don’t deny it. But make clear that you’re interested in their program for specific reasons.
You might emphasize that what draws you to both specialties is a chance to work regularly with patients over sustained periods of time, and that you’re attracted to their program because of specific clinical opportunities that facilitate exactly that.
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Looking for residency interview coaching?
In addition to the interview support we provide students through our 1:1 residency application plans, we offer a la carte interview coaching to help you present your best self on the big day. It would be a pleasure to guide you!
| 1 round |
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| 2 rounds |
| 3 rounds |
| Plans | Video coaching session length | Customized to each program | Full-length mock interview | Question-by-question feedback | Post-session notes | Plan investment |
| 1 round | 90 minutes |
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE |
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| 2 rounds | 90 minutes |
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE |
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| 3 rounds | 90 minutes |
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE |
Frequently asked questions
+ How are the 90-minute interview coaching sessions organized?
Your 90-minute interview coaching session will be roughly organized as follows:
- 30- to 40-minute mock interview
- 50 to 60 minutes of question-by-question feedback, including opportunities to practice modified responses
+ How many rounds of interview coaching do you recommend?
Applicants vary with respect to the number of interview coaching sessions they seek. Some applicants sign up for just one session (e.g., for their dream program), but most sign up for multiple sessions because they either don't feel very confident in their interview skills or simply don't want to leave anything to chance.
While the number of interview coaching sessions you sign up for is up to you, we recommend signing up for two or more sessions to maximize your odds of matching to your top-choice programs.
+ My interview is scheduled for [Date]. Will you have availability before then?
It will be no problem to schedule your interview session. In 100% of cases during our nearly 20 years of supporting thousands of students, we have been able to schedule coaching sessions in time for upcoming interviews. Therefore, we invite you to sign up with confidence.
+ Do you schedule interview coaching on weekends?
Yes, we do!
+ What happens after I sign up?
After you sign up, simply email the following information to contact@shemmassianconsulting.com using "Interview coaching purchase" in the subject line:
- Your full name
- Your ERAS pdf
- Your interview date
- All of your specific availability (including time zone) for a 90-minute interview coaching session over a consecutive three- to five-day period
- Any details you'd like us to know about you or your upcoming interview
Shortly after, we will schedule your interview coaching session during one of your listed times.