Questions to ask on your virtual #residency interview (a thread with anxious #medstudenttwitter) in mind. This recruitment season looks incredibly different and it's had to get a good sense of a place/people/program without that in person experience. These questions may help!
1) What would you describe the focus of this residency program to be? // I used this question on my interview cycle. It's helpful to hear the first word/concept brought up by people in the program. How does the PD's response compare to interns & residents? Ask: everyone.
2) What changes do you anticipate for the residency in the next few years? // I also used this question and it's helpful to get a sense of how the program (anticipates) it will change. Do they plan to grow? Are they revamping their educational curriculum? Ask: leadership.
3) What would make an applicant a poor fit for this program? // This question sparked some of the most interesting conversations I had. PD's volunteered information as to why individuals were asked to leave their program. That's the tea you need. Ask: leadership.
4) What's the overall personality of the residency? // A great answer to hear is - "Oh hard to say since we're all pretty different, but overall we really like one another." This helps to give you a sense of whether you'd be a good fit in this space. Ask: interns and residents.
5) What are aspects of the program that surprised you that you love? // This question gives you that undercover A++ information about the program that you wouldn't have been able to find out via the internet. Ask: interns and residents.
6) If you can change anything about the program, what would that be? // This question is a non-negative ways to just ask about what makes residency at that program challenging. Residency is not easy and some places are toxic, make sure you get the scoop. Ask: residents.
7) What do you wish you knew on the interview trail? // The wisdom from those who were recently in your shoes is quite helpful. Ask: interns and residents.
8) How did your program respond to the protests in response to the deaths of Ahmad, George, and Breonna? // This question is a sly way for you URiM to get a sense of whether the program is safe for people who look like you. You need to know this. Ask: everyone.
9) How did your program make efforts to support residents throughout the pandemic? // This question is a way to get a sense of how much that residency program values their residents and in what way they demonstrate their regard for their residents. Ask: everyone.
10) What is in place to ensure that I leave this program/residency a strong physician? // This question highlights the mainstay of their education -- is it volume? Is it a slew of lectures? You want to leave residency A++ - make sure their style fits how you learn. Ask: everyone.
Most importantly: ask yourself what you need and want out of residency. What sparks joy? What gives you balance? Do you need to be close to your family? Do you need to be a in a large city? A residency program is a beautiful thing but it's not enough to sustain your joy.
So excited to be a participant in the @SNMA @LMSA_National virtual interview prep for URiM students. I don't have the bandwidth to extend additional practice outside of this space but I'm here if you have questions or want to vent. More specifics about my journey on the blog!
And if this is helpful to you by any means, please share. Auntie Ajibike's got you. <3
