The Typical Residency Interview Process

This format is the usual one - but not for all programs...

Step 1 : "You Got Mail" - The Invite

So , you applied ....and the game of patience and waiting begins...I have read a lot of quotes about patience, one of the best humored quotes I came across was by a Polish writer Stanislaw :

"You must first have a lot of patience to learn to have patience" ;-)

Some candidates hear back early , some hear back late - its all a part of the game. Community programs with heavy application loads from IMGs - like the ones in New York, usually send out interview invites early and you could expect to hear as early as September itself. But, its not too late to expect interview calls even upto January - why Interview calls have been getting late with the heavy competition is discussed Here.

It all begins with a message in your 'messages' folder on your ERAS account online. Here's a sample screen-shot:





Step 2: You respond

As you see in the sample above, you will be requested to respond back about scheduling dates for the interview. I personally think it's best to respond by calling as against an email, coz thats how they start associating with you as a human with a personality better. Hmm...wear a smile when u call - will show in ur voice ;-) Remember, the first impression is often a lasting impression, so hit the cell-keypad beofre you hit the keyboard ! Program Coordinators [PC] or Administrators are often long-time employees in the program & are good friends with the program directors [PD] - keep them pleased at all costs :-). I said call ....but after you make that call , also shoot a simple "thankyou" email to the program coordinator. Shall put up a sample letter later.

Step 3 : Instructions from the Program.

After you fix a date, next you again receive a second email with instructions about the interview process, hotel stay ,driving instructions and other specifics like your eating choices. A lot of programs will also send you the itinerary or a time-table about who's gonna interview you and when..It usually is a 2-day show that begins with a evening of dinner with the program residents and an interview the next morning. Exceptions are some community programs in NY that may not sponsor your hotel stay. Kingsbrook Program in NewYork even administers an mini-MCQ medical questions test for the interviewees in the morning as a final screen before the Interviews...Aaaaargh!

Step 4 : A Dinner Date with Residents

Here a bunch of residents will take a bunch on candidates like you out on a dinner date on the day before the interview day. No - it won't be the worst dinner date you ever had ;-) it usually is very comfortable. One point of caution - The residents might say their opinions about u won't matter at all - please do not believe that :-) Smile & IMGs - please talk !!! - I mean socialize and ask the right questions about the program. These dinners are not to feed candidates, but to put candidates at ease and get to know their real personalities, which may not otherwise evolve in a exam-like ambience.

Step 5 : The Show-down

The morning usually begins with the Program Director introducing himself and the program, with a power-point presentation , praising and extolling the program, telling you how happy the residents are and what training, research opportunities and benefits they get besides the pay-structure. A lot of university programs will then have you attend the morning rounds with the attending physician and residents. Chill ! Your clinical skills wont be tested on the rounds :-)

After these yawn-evoking formalities, (well , maybe you won't feel like yawning on the first interview) 2-3 Faculty and / or the Chief resident, besides the Program Director will interview you for 10-15 minutes each. After the interviews or during the interview session, a resident may take out on a tour of facilities and show you around the hospital.

That's how it is in a Nutshell.....

Pheww. A Pretty BIG Nutshell Huh!

So browse all the tips for each stage of the interview and about the actual interview , scattered all over this blog...




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