My 2 Cents:
Talk, ask questions and listen to the residents. Take time to find answers to your questions. If the residents say that they are unhappy, miserable try to find reasons. If 90% residents at a program are unhappy then its a bad choice. You may be a genius but if a residency could not bring best in 90% of previous residents, most likely there is an issue. Please do not torment yourself.
Good luck.
I agree totally.... ask the residents, ask about changes planned.
Here is what I posted in another thread:
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Preparing for an Interview - the PASS of interviews
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The interview:
The general rules are be prepared, be yourself
First decide on what programs to apply for. Start in the sophomore or junior year. Ask your faculty, ask students who are applying and check out the web sites. Once you have some idea, contact the programs, speak to the residents and try to visit. Ask questions on what they are looking for.
Now that you have some idea of the programs, apply in a timely fashion with all that is requested. Now you have wait for invites for interviews. Each program does this differently. Some invite every one, some invite only those with a high chance, some invite in waves, some tell you the one date for interviews others give you a choice.
Before you go:
Check the facts on the program check the areas, prepare questions you may want answered.
You used PASS to apply, now DO PASS
P: Presentation look good, be wide awake and have a rested appearance,
go well dressed and groomed (as a professional), no gum, no unusual
getups.
A: Attitude show you are interested, read the material about the program,
ask questions, Show that you are willing to work when you accept the
program. At the interview - listen, pay attention. Willingness to give
back Your compassion to dentistry.
S: Scholarship while it is too late to change grades, be able to explain any
problems, show you are qualified, explain any special interests in dentistry.
S: Skills any special skills you have used like trips to treat patients,
volunteer clinics, special programs you attended/gave, foreign languages
and be prepared to answer questions about those skills, what will you
offer/ add to the program.
Try to Relax
We generally start our questioning with asking the student to
1.Tell us about themselves,
a. What are their outside interests- this hopefully gets them to relax.
(sports, activities)
b. What are their outside the classroom activities - research,
volunteering, special dental projects, help missions.
2.Why are you doing a GPR?
3.What would you want to get out of the GPR?
4.Future plans, Where to you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
5.Explanation for any academic blemishes
6.What special areas of dentistry do you like? Dont like?
7.What are your strong points?
8.What are your weak points?
9.How many special procedures (like prosthetics)
10. Random question based on what you said to see if you think on your feet.
11.YOU ASK QUESTIONS get answers so you can make up your mind.
12. Questions about relocating to program area, would you need help (in medicine, couples are often given special arrangements), etc.
We encourage our residents to seek their potential. We have helped many residents apply for and get accepted to specialty programs. I have no problems with candidates using a residency to see if they want to specialize.
Note - many programs may not like this.
Hope this helps all of you with interview, good luck on the interviews,
Any questions - call, cell 302-530-6788
