Interview questions, what to expect?

[DancingFajitas]

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Hi, I'm interested in interviewing in the Southern California area and I was wondering if anyone knew some interview questions to anticipate specific to this area and in general? Any help is appreciated as I am not from the area. Thanks!

 

[hippiedoc13]

Other than the geography and the weather, why are you interested in this program?
(I know a couple PDs who actually routinely ask this question almost verbatim.)

 

[Doctor Grim]

Other than the geography and the weather, why are you interested in this program?
(I know a couple PDs who actually routinely ask this question almost verbatim.)

Make sure you know about the hostpital/program mission if there is one. We've turned people down just because they couldn't answer the fact that our program was created to "serve the underserved."

And since you're not from So. Cal, if would be advisable to think about why you want to relocate other than the weather-family? relatives? decency of the program? fellowship opportunities..etc because PDs most often times prefer to rank people who have some sort of geographical ties to the area so that they would actually come if they're ranked highly.

And maybe this is state dependent, but some programs will track their graduates after residency to see if they're still practicing in the same state-has to do with medicare reimbursement/payment/supporting the residency..so they'd like people to stay in the state later on.....

 

[medicienne]

And since you're not from So. Cal, if would be advisable to think about why you want to relocate other than the weather-family? relatives? decency of the program? fellowship opportunities..etc because PDs most often times prefer to rank people who have some sort of geographical ties to the area so that they would actually come if they're ranked highly.
....they'd like people to stay in the state later on.....

I am interviewing at programs I like in different regions ( South, Southwest). I don't know where I will stay on and practice yet b/c that depends on so many external factors like spouse's work, etc. Do you mean that this will be a negative point?

 

[Doctor Grim]

I am interviewing at programs I like in different regions ( South, Southwest). I don't know where I will stay on and practice yet b/c that depends on so many external factors like spouse's work, etc. Do you mean that this will be a negative point?

Sometimes they may ask you whether your willing to relocate is contigent with your spouse's employment in that area and I guess you would have to answer that based on how much you really like the program and location. You could also letting them know all the positive things you like about their program and that you'd be thrilled to match there.

But from my previous experience serving as a member on the residency interview committee, we do score applicants based on their ties to the area/state.