Residency Match 101: Preparing for Interview Day

Interviews for residency are one of the most stressful aspects of the match process. As you prepare your applications, it is important to also understand how to prepare for interview day. This includes reviewing common interview questions, understanding professionalism and proper attire, knowing what an interview day schedule may include, and when to consider in-person interviews if offered.

Interview Questions

One of the many things students wonder before an interview is, “What are they going to ask me?” Interview questions can range from academics, personal interests, hobbies, medicine, healthcare systems, public health, and more. While most students would like to feel prepared for every possible question, that simply is not realistic. Instead, it is more helpful to focus on the questions programs are most likely to ask while also developing your own thoughts and opinions on broader topics.

Most interviews will include standardized questions, which are questions asked to all applicants to allow for a fair and objective comparison between candidates. Based on the structure of interview day, students may be asked one or more standardized questions. For example, a student may interview with three faculty members, with each interviewer asking one standardized question along with one personal question. The exact structure varies by program, but standardized questions commonly focus on behavioral scenarios, teamwork, personality traits, and professionalism.

Interviewers may (or may not) ask you questions related to you personally. This provides you with the space to explain a specific aspect of your application. To learn more about specific questions, both standardized and personal, a few great resources have been referenced below.^1,2 Find a parent, friend, partner, or anyone that you can chat with to practice interview questions well in advance before your interview.

Review your applications in their entirety. If it is on your application, it is fair game for an interviewer to ask you about. Thus, being able to explain every part of your application and its significance is important to proving that the experiences you have are both memorable and meaningful.

Interview Schedule and Format

Interview schedules and interview length can vary significantly. My interviews ranged anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour long. Some interview days were short and straightforward, while others were much longer with several activities built into the schedule. My shortest interview day lasted only one hour and consisted of a panel interview with the program director, associate program director, faculty member, and resident. Although the panel initially felt intimidating, it turned into a very meaningful conversation. In contrast, my longest interview day lasted nearly eight hours despite only including 40 minutes of actual interviews. That day included four back-to-back interviews along with group activities, resident panels, didactic sessions, lunch, and more. Overall, applicants should be prepared for a wide variety of interview formats and schedules.

Review your interview schedule ahead of time once it is released. Take time (and take notes) to look into the faculty members or residents you will be interviewing with. Learning more about your interviewers may help guide conversations and give you a better understanding of the program itself.

Interview Attire and Mannerisms

One of the most important ways to make a positive impression on interview day is through your presentation, including both attire and professionalism. Applicants should dress in business professional attire, typically including a blazer and appropriate dress shirt or blouse. Even though many interviews remain virtual, I still recommend wearing properly ironed pants, a belt, and keeping your shirt tucked in, as you never know when you may need to stand up on camera. For applicants wearing a tie, the tip should rest around the middle of the belt buckle. It should not extend below the belt or sit too high near the middle of your stomach. Additional attire recommendations can be found in the reference below.³ Professionalism and interview mannerisms are equally important. For students looking to review interview etiquette and professionalism, the AAMC has a brief article referenced below.⁴

In-Person vs. Virtual Interviews

Another aspect to consider is the possibility of an in-person interview. While most residency program interviews are virtual, some programs still offer in-person interviews. Deciding whether to attend an in-person interview depends largely on your own level of interest in the program. If you do not believe visiting the program would significantly impact how highly you plan to rank it, traveling for an in-person interview may not be worthwhile.

Importantly, programs are not supposed to favor applicants who choose in-person interviews over virtual interviews. Instead, students should view in-person interviews as an opportunity to better understand a program, its culture, and its surrounding community.

During this past application cycle, I had several opportunities for in-person interviews, but ultimately attended only one. I chose to attend because my partner had also interviewed there, and I wanted to better understand the program myself. It became one of my most memorable interview experiences. I was able to tour the hospital, explore the surrounding area, and genuinely envision myself there as a future resident. The program also covered the cost of my hotel, although this varies by program and should not be expected. Overall, I did not regret making the trip, and the in-person experience moved the program much higher on my rank list.

Conclusion

Interviews are a complex aspect of the residency match process, but they are also another challenge medical students can prepare for and overcome. A well-prepared student takes the time to review the interview schedule, practice common questions, prepare professional attire, and thoroughly research each program beforehand. The references below provide additional resources to help students navigate interview season with greater confidence.