One thing I've heard to not ask (let the other applicants ask or just find out on their website) is call schedule. Apparently, some people can take asking about call as an indirect way of saying: "So how hard do I have to work if I get in here?" which can be bad. Any thoughts on that at all?
Otherwise, great advice everyone! Another thing I would say is to make sure you have pens and a nice looking folder to keep all your papers in. I've also heard of stories where applicant had to scramble around to borrow a pen and apparently that did not look good. So make sure the little things like that won't trip you up.
- Call schedule is typically asked about at dinner the night before. If you couldn't make it, try and get notes from someone else.
- My favorite way to lead into this was: "So what is a typical day like on service." "What about a typical call day? What's that like?" "What about off service?" Etc. Call was asked about at dinner at every single dinner I went to and was a prime topic of conversation amongst everyone. If they're holding it against you, you don't want to go there. But I'd be careful about asking about it during you day interviews...not strictly off limits, but feel it out.
- Bring one pen. A folder is optional as every place I went gave me one with tons of papers in it, and I just wrote on the backs of those. A couple places gave out nice folios like you're talking about. I brought mine to the first couple, then gave up to save room in my bag.
I got similar advice from a resident at my school's program, a particularly hard working, call heavy one. I think they are sensitive to applicants asking about it because they know it scares people away and have had problems with lazy residents. However, I think how asking reflects on you probably depends on how you go about it. A program's call schedule is just another piece of information I want to know about a program, and I am going to ask about it, especially if information about it isn't on the website. Isn't one of the points of the interview to have your questions answered?
It is indeed one point. I would say the key point. I think much of this is about what you're looking for...
- Are you asking because you're truly trying to discover the complex intricacies of the call schedule, which I'll tell you right now is A) subject to change at any moment, and B) the same at ALMOST every program (1 month night float, occasional short call until 9-10pm)?
Or are you REALLY asking to determine how open a program is to discussing resident lifestyle? Are they upfront about it and comfortable with the idea? Or will they blacklist you as a lazy loser for even broaching the subject? I would argue that if a program is going to blacklist you for asking about call, that you MUST ask about call, simply to avoid those few programs that may behave in that way. Those aren't places you want to wind up.
- Think of your interview as being like interviewing an anti-social patient. They can be quite charming at times, but some of what they're saying could be lies, so it's up to you to pick apart which is which.
Thanks man, that really helped me relax, haha
- Glad to be of service
Ok im feeling overwhelmed already!!!
I have the phone call interview this week and I had not even thought about what I am going to be asked.
How do you guys answer "how did you hear about this program?" I suppose saying Freida and student doc is completely out of the question! Should I say that my dean suggested it or something more sensitive like that?
Also, how do you answer the psychotherapy or mental illness question? Deny deny deny?
Something else that I am concerned about is my personal life. I am in a relationship with another medical student who is also applying for the match but it is a fairly recent relationship and we decided NOT to couples match (everyone asks this!) although we are applying to the same places geographically. How can I explain this if it comes up (or try to not talk about it!) without making it look like I have an unstable personal situation at the moment? I would rather not talk about it to be honest it is already stressful as it is.
- I always, always, always told the truth. If I heard about a program from a mentor, I said so. If I heard about it from SDN or Scutwork, I said so. I actually had to explain what these websites were at a few interviews. Old people don't use Teh Interwebs very much. Sigh.
- Most often, I explained that their program had the combination of things I was looking for. My own criteria were:
1. Must have a child fellowship.
2. Small-town to medium sized city. No large cities. Biggest was Indy for me.
3. <weak criteria> Prefer reasonable weather. This could be overruled by an awesome program or city. I still went to Milwaukee, because I'd heard such great things about the program.
4. Should be a friendly place with a relatively resident friendly environment. I avoided anywhere with a hint of scuzziness either on SDN or Scutwork.
5. Should have jobs for my wife
6. Should have good schools for my kid
7. Prefered South East > Midwest > North-ish.
8. Low Crime Rate, especially violent crime.
9. Prefer a good housing market.
10. Preferred a larger program (6+ residents per year), with a healthy mix of MD's/DO's/FMG's. An overwhelming amount of any was a red flag. All MD's meant they probably wouldn't take DO's, and if they did would probably have an issue with it. All FMG's tends to mean that it's a lower quality program, although some of these make great backups, and some FMG heavy programs (ECU, Roanoke) are sturdy backup choices. All DO's doesn't exist, except in the AOA residencies, which are in such terrible places for psych that you shouldn't do those without a very special reason.
And that was about it. The rest was: Do I like these people and do I like this place?
*** Asking about mental illness should be off limits and was never done at any place I interviewed at. Some things will likely be apparent from your interview. For example, I'd try to avoid rolling into every interview going, "This is the BEST program EVER. That last place I went was the WORST place I've EVER been to and I can't imagine why anyone would go there!" Splitting = Borderline = Off The List.
I've actually been wondering about the questions they shouldn't be asking. Is there some sort of official resource that lists what kinds of things are off limits?
I sort of know they aren't supposed to ask about medical history- including psychiatric- and also if you're planning on getting pregnant. What other stuff is not supposed to be brought up?
Also, in a related vein- I've been trying to come up with some respectful responses if I get a question I don't feel comfortable answering. Not that I'm expecting a lot of prying inappropriate interviews, but I just want to have something prepared if that sort of thing comes up.
There probably is. They aren't supposed to ask about personal things, for example, like "Are you married?" I never had a problem with it, as long as it wasn't weird. One program was very much a therapy session with the PD which was odd and uncomfortable. "Tell me about a time in your life when you have failed." Um, no. Too personal.
Anyways, you guys will be fine. Don't over think it. Psych interview are, for the most part, very laid back and they're just trying to get to know you and see if you truly have a passion for psychiatry. Be awesome (i.e. yourselves) and you'll be fine!
