UNSOM Students: 4th Year Class: Sample Questions
The following sample questions may assist you in preparing for residency interviews.
Questions you may be asked:
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why are you interested in this specialty?
Why are you interested in this program?
What are you looking for in a program?
Where else have you interviewed?
What can you contribute to our program?
How prepared are you to begin as an intern?
Tell me about ... you may be asked about something specific on your CV, such as research, time off, travel. Refresh your memory about what you included on your CV.
Which types of patients do you work with most effectively?
Describe how you make important decisions.
If you could no longer be a physician, what career would you choose?
How do you handle conflict? Pressure? Problems?
What do you think about what is happening in....(non-medical current event question)?
Teach me something medical in five minutes.
Tell me a joke (keep it simple and tasteful).
Can you think of anything I haven't asked you about that you want me to know?
Why do you want to relocated to this part of the country?
Why should we select you for our program?
How do you think future changes in healthcare will affect this specialty in the future?
Questions you might want to ask faculty/program directors:
What contact will I have with clinical faculty?
What are the clinical responsibilities of residents? What are the non-clinical, administrative responsibilities of residents?
Are there opportunities for research?
Have any residents left the program?
What is the accreditation status?
How are residents evaluated?
How do your residents do on their written/oral board certifications?
What is the financial status of the program?
How is faculty turnover?
What fellowships are available?
What percentage of residents pursue fellowships upon graduating?
How much elective time is available to pursue individual interests?
How is the didactic program coordinated? Are lectures given by residents or attendings?
Of the faculty, what percentage are clinicians/academicians?
Have residents left the program in the last two years?
What are the teaching opportunities for residents?
Do you forsee any changes in the program in the next three to five years?
What makes your program unique?
Questions you might want to ask residents:
How are the attendings to work with?
What is the average daily workload for interns? Does it vary?
How much didactic time is scheduled?
What types of clinical experiences will I have?
What is the call schedule? Time off? Work schedule?
What is the patient population?
Are you happy? Was this a good match for you?
Do residents socialize as a group?
What are the opportunities for moonlighting?
Do residents get good fellowship opportunities upon graduating?
What educational benefits are available? Paid conferences? Book/computer stipends?
How affordable is the city? What are the benefits of this community (schools, outdoors, safety, etc...)?
How are the medical/retirement benefits?
How much autonomy to residents have to manage cases?
What is the parking situation for residents?
Questions you should not ask or be asked (but probably will be asked):
Explain your benefits/stipend/vacation/maternity leave policies/arrangements.
What are your plans for a family? Are you married?
How old are you?
If you we offered you a position today, would you accept?
