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Medical Residency Interview - Preparation |
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Written by Ram
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Thursday, 27 October 2005 |
Medical Residency Interview - Preparation
Getting a medical residency interview call is a great feeling. All the hard work you had put in towards the residency application process and the ERAS / NRMP system has finally paid off. However, this is not the time to relax. Much work needs to be done for the Residency interview. Residency interviews can be very expensive trips. Try to plan ahead by calling the medical residency programs and arranging for interview dates. Airfare is usually cheaper midweek and if booked 3-4 weeks in advance. Some good online discount travel sites include Orbitz, Expedia, and Sidestep. For hotel rooms, you cannot beat the prices you get by bidding on Priceline.
When you get a residency interview call, you should plan to schedule your interview so that you can complete all residency interviews in a specific geographic area within a 5 to 10 day period. This saves you time, energy and money. However, if you are looking at a specific residency program, visit it ASAP.
You should plan to attend your medical residency interviews during the months of November and December. If a particular residency program interests you, schedule a second visit for a closer look.
Research about the residency program you are going to. Visit the residency program’s website, read their brochure and take down notes for reference later. This helps you prepare to ask appropriate and intelligent questions at the medical residency interview.
We recommend dressing professionally and conservatively. You should wear clothes that fit you well and make you feel comfortable. This will help you endure the long day and project an image of confidence.
Once you receive the schedule for your medical interview day, read about the areas of interest of each residency interviewer and look up some medical research papers published by them. This will impress them and keep an intelligent conversation going. You can search for research papers by entering author names at www.pubmed.com.
Practice pronunciation of difficult names of interviewers, so that you can get it right at the residency interview.
If you have any unexplained gaps in your work experience or it has been a few years since you finished your medical school, be prepared to give an explanation.
If you had to take any qualifying USMLE exam more than once or if your USMLE scores are low, be prepared to explain.
Most residency programs invite candidates to dinner, the day before the residency interview. Even though it is optional, it is in your interest to attend this social event with your spouse. This is the time for you to show your social skills and score points with the residents, fellows and other candidates.
Make a list of interview questions to ask and carry a folder to give yourself the professional look.
Network with your friends and other residency applicants to find out details about specific medical residency programs, their interview questions, patterns, and their impressions.
Even though asking medical questions at residency interviews has fallen out of vogue, you should nevertheless, be prepared for it.
Expect to be asked in detail about your medical research project. |
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